Defense bringing a ‘mob’ attitude
Under a new coordinator, a new rallying cry for unit
BOCA RATON Florida Atlantic defenders knew changes were a must this fall camp after the Owls did not fare well in virtually any aspect of their defense a year ago.
At the heart of the change, as new defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer instills his system, is a shift in attitude.
“The mob,” said junior middle linebacker Akileis Leroy, who will be starting in FAU all-time leading tackler Azeez Al-Shaair’s vacated spot. “It’s basically like, ‘Don’t mess with us.’ It’s aggressive. We use it very aggressively. It’s a mob. It’s an identity for everybody, and if you’re not meeting those standards, then we’re going to get the next man up, so they [have to] meet those standards.”
That attitude has become the defense’s rallying cry in its breakdown before it hits the field in fall camp, senior cornerback Chris Tooley has revealed.
“Mob on three, mob One, two, three …”
All: “Mob!”
Junior cornerback James Pierre has noticed a difference in players’ attitudes in practice. on me. fall
“This year, we don’t really too much complain, none of that,” said Pierre, working more as a boundary corner this season as opposed to the nickel. “We just work.”
Another key phrase for the Owls defense in the early portions of camp, which began Friday, has been “authentic toughness.”
“Authentic toughness is fighting through injuries,” like said
Tooley. “If you have you[r] finger jammed, still practice. If your back is hurting, still do like one or two reps, still show the coaches that you can go. Don’t just tap out. If you’re cramping, drink what you got to drink and get back on the field. Coach likes to see that authentic toughness, not just quitting because your cleat comes off or something — or you’re tired.”
The mentality is not just an attitude, but a way to describe how this defense looks to swarm to the ball, which in turn with better tackling and putting opposing offenses in more difficult downand-distance situations, can lead to forcing more turnovers. FAU only had 11 takeaways last season — all interceptions.
“Just getting to the ball,” Pierre said. “A good defense is built off getting to the ball. Getting to the ball, more turnovers. Focus on getting to the ball and getting the ball.”
Defensive backs like Spencer’s scheme because more DB-heavy packages are being used, along with cornerbacks getting to be physical either in man coverage or being depended on to set the edge and tackle.
“They said they want to see the corners tackle,” Tooley said. “That’s going to be something good that I can show, I can put on film — that I can tackle. I’m hoping that the coaches at the next level can see that.”
Said Pierre of what he likes about playing press man coverage: “I get to put my hands on [a receiver], work my technique every down. That’s basically what it is, every down: Alignment, assignment, technique.”
Leroy said it has been “lovely” getting acclimated to Spencer, who landed in Boca Raton after coaching in Charlotte.
“A lot of people say it’s hard trying to adjust to a new coach, but he’s one of those guys where it’s real genuine with him and his players,” said Leroy.
“With me, personally, he makes me want to play every day, every down. We’ll cramp, I’ll go back out because I know it’s the effort that counts. He gives us effort in the film room and when he’s making up our plays, so I give him all the effort I can in me working in the film room, writing down everything because it matters.”