Bulls Defenders Embracing Shoop's "attacking, in-your-face mentality"
By Joey Johnston
USF defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has his tenants for "winning'' situations — the things that must happen for the Bulls to be successful on the scoreboard.
Winning first-and-10 situations. Limiting the opponent to 3 yards or less.
Winning third-down situations. Getting off the field — by any means.
Winning clock situations. Being composed, having good on-field communication, being a well-conditioned team that doesn't wear out.
There's one more. It applies in every situation.
Creating havoc.
That means tackles for a loss. That means sacks and pressures. It might be the single greatest area where the Bulls must improve in order to become a winning, postseason-ready team.
"I think our players have embraced that one the most, that attacking, in-your-face style mentality,'' Shoop said Monday. "When you create havoc and make them (opposing offense) play under pressure, that's what you want.''
It sounds like a winning formula for USF defenders.
"I'm someone who always wants to attack,'' USF senior defensive lineman Rashawn Yates said. "The defense can't sit around and hope they don't get a touchdown, hope they don't get a first down. We've got to attack and make sure they don't get those things.''
"We just have to let it loose,'' USF senior linebacker Antonio Grier said. "You can't be passive, no way, and expect to get tackles for a loss and sacks. From a player's standpoint, you can't play at the University of South Florida in a Bob Shoop defense and be passive. It's impossible. You have to be aggressive and have an edge to you. You've got to hunt the ball. Like Coach Shoop preaches to us, it has to be in our DNA.''
Simpson An Early Standout
Shoop singled out defensive back Timarcus Simpson as his most pleasant surprise through four practices of spring ball.
"If you were to ask me the question — 'Who has been a surprise?' — he would be the guy,'' Shoop said. "I didn't know that much about him. But after the first few days, I would say, 'Man, this guy is a good football player.' ''
Simpson, a product of Sickles High School who transferred from Eastern Michigan University, played in 11 games last season, mostly as a special teams player. He had three tackles and one fumble recovery.
BYU … In The Distance
The Bulls open their 2022 season on Sept. 3 by hosting the BYU Cougars at Raymond James Stadium. Shoop said the spring-ball concentration is on identifying the strengths of USF players, then developing a scheme that compliments those skills. After the spring game and through the summer, Shoop will study BYU.
"I watched the game from last year (BYU defeated USF 35-27 in Provo, Utah), but I haven't begun to study them,'' Shoop said. "The focus is entirely on us. I couldn't even tell you what our identity is yet.''
Ironically, Shoop did use BYU as a reference point during Monday's practice, which began slowly, then finished strong. He used it as an analogy for last season's trip to BYU, when the Bulls fell behind 21-0, then played a great second half and nearly pulled off an upset.
"Ideally, in practices and in games, you want to start fast and finish strong,'' Shoop said.
