Daniels determined to avoid getting sacked by complacency

Posted Aug 10, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 10, 2010 at 06:36 PM

VERO BEACH – USF quarterbacks coach Peter Vaas was watching ESPN the other day and perked up when he heard that Brett Favre had the highest completion percentage of his career last season in Minnesota, Favre’s 19th season in the NFL.

As a coaching tool, Vaas made sure to mention that nugget of information to redshirt sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels, who not only has just 10 career starts, but even less competition in his third fall camp with the Bulls.

While it’s not an ideal situation, Vaas and USF head coach Skip Holtz are hardly concerned about the lack of competition for Daniels as he enters his first season as the Bulls’ starting quarterback.

“One of things that make him a great athlete is his personal pride,’’ Vaas said. “When you say there isn’t competition, there isn’t competition per se with someone’s name on a different jersey. He is competing against himself to get better and better and to continually improve. As soon as he gets complacent, he’s in trouble, and so are we.

“That’s what we remind him of every day.’’

Since taking over for injured starter Matt Grothe in the fourth game last season, Daniels has quickly made an impact on the field and taken more of a leadership role. However, with only true freshman Jamius Gunsby and a pair of walk-ons – Bobby Eveld and Ryan Eppes – taking reps behind him, Daniels’ grip on the starting job is as strong as any player in camp with the team’s second-most proven quarterback, Evan Landi, working exclusively at receiver.

Despite all that job security, Daniels doesn’t plan to take any days off soon.

“Any night, I could have the best game of my life or the worst,’’ he said. “I’m just trying to make sure I’m focused and doing the things that I’m supposed to do.’’

That’s the approach the Bulls need from Daniels as the most visible face of the program other than for Holtz’s.

He is fully recovered from the offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and says he is even stronger than last season following several months of intense rehab. Holtz sees a player not only capable on the field, but one that is starting to get more comfortable in his role as team leader.

With neither Gunsby nor Eveld ready to challenge him for playing time, Holtz keeps a close eye on Daniels’ approach on and off the field. He has seen nothing that concerns him about the way Daniels has handled the situation.

“I think he’s got the respect of this team,’’ Holtz said. “I’ve really been impressed by his maturity as young as he is.’’

So has Vaas, whose message to Daniels after hearing the statistic on Favre was simple: “You can always get better.’’