Calling all leaders: Gators lack of toughness leaves a program in flux

The team couldn’t be any more different than its head coach.

And he knows it.

Coach Will Muschamp called his team out for being soft and lacking physical and mental toughness after Florida lost to Florida State for the second straight year, ending the regular season at 6-6.

The former SEC safety hit hard, but his hardest hit may have been his evaluation of his own team.

But he’s right.

This team, while talented, resembles the 2011 Eagles and 2010 Miami Heat team more than a championship squad.

Too often the offense failed to show up in key situations, if at all.

There was no better example of that than when Trey Burton was stuffed for a 14-yard loss on fourth and short.

It’s downright embarrassing.

The offensive line regressed as the season went on. Sure there were injuries and a lack of depth. But overall, the problems lie in the lack of physicality and mental toughness.

Left tackle Xavier Nixon, a former five-star recruit, lost his starting job. Youngsters Jon Halapio and Jonotthan Harrison were inconsistent, but there wasn’t anyone to push them.

“We’re not good enough up front,” Muschamp said in his press conference.

With the line struggling, speedsters Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps had no chance.

The diminutive running backs were no match for the SEC defenses on the schedule, nor were they good fits for the pro style offense.

John Brantley did little to give people to cheer about. His teammates and coaches praised him throughout the season, a season in which he dealt with a nagging ankle injury. But his play didn’t inspire confidence.

Then again, when you have Deonte Thompson and Andre Debose (can he ever run a route?) to throw to, the options are limited.

But what’s most disappointing to me, and to many Gator fans, is the defense.

It had its moments.

Against FAU and Kentucky.

But when matched up against Alabama and LSU, it caved.

They’re soft.

Dan Quinn and Muschamp preached about turnovers.

I failed to see the “rip and strip” they talked about so much in the preseason.

Ronald Powell was supposed to be the answer at the buck position.

He finished with 30 tackles and five sacks. That’s not good enough.

For the second straight year, the former No. 1 recruit failed to make a big impact. He struggled to shed blocks, displayed no pass rush moves and just doesn’t seem like a motivated player.

He’s soft.

Dominique Easley, the ultra-quick but undisciplined sophomore defensive tackle, definitely gave reason to hope that this defense can be better.

He was a consistently disruptive player, both in the backfield and on his own team. He drew too many penalties and seemed unfocused, but at least he shows up on the field.

Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic were solid again, but for a team lacking leadership, the two linebackers seem more like Jerod Mayo than Ray Lewis.

This team no longer has Brandon Spikes to get in your face and hit the opponent in the mouth. It doesn’t have the Pouncey twins to control the line of scrimmage. It doesn’t have Tim Tebow to give you hope in any situation.

It has Muschamp.

And that’s it.

Last time I checked, he won’t be suiting up in Orange and Blue.

Let’s hope he finds someone who can.