GAINESVILLE - Many called the Gators' youthful defense soft last season after it failed to get key stops in the running game and routinely giving up big plays in the passing game.
After the beatings UF has placed upon its opponents this season - mostly sparked by the defense - no one is calling the team soft anymore.
"We want to be extremely physical, have a physical offensive line and play hard, tough defense and special teams. The whole staff is into it and, more importantly, the players are," Coach Urban Meyer said.
The biggest change, other than the maturation of several players, is new defensive line coach Dan McCarney, who coached at USF last season.
"There's no tougher D-line coach than Dan McCarney," Meyer said. "It's not made for everybody. It's tough. Two-a-days are tough. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are tough. I envisioned a year older, but you have to give Dan a lot of credit, because Lawrence Marsh was not what he is today. The whole group is playing at a much higher level."
JOB PROSPECTS: If the Gators manage to earn a second national championship in three seasons, it's possible opposing teams could raid the Gators' coaching staff.
That issue is far from defensive coordinator Charlie Strong's mind, though.
"My name has been out there for, what, the last so many years?" Strong said. "I have a great job here. I don't even listen to the talk anymore."
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