The pop of pads was music to Joe Bradley's ears Wednesday morning.

The University of Louisiana senior defensive lineman basically tolerated the Ragin' Cajuns' first two days of practice in shorts. Wednesday, when the UL football team donned shoulder pads for the first time in fall camp, Bradley became a changed man.

Some might use a stronger adjective.

"You've got to amp it up," Bradley said. "I like to talk. I like to get after it with the offensive line guys. That's what defensive linemen do. It's contact every snap."

Bradley, a product of Compton, Calif., and Compton College, has played in 21 games at end and tackle over the last two years.

His playing time increased considerably as the 2005 season progressed, and he became a big factor in UL's season-ending five-game win streak including four solo tackles in the 13-10 win at Middle Tennessee that began the streak.

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com