Accusations of using threats of violence and racial slurs against teammate Jonathan Martin caused Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito to be suspended from the team this week.
The incident has generated consideration as to what behavior is acceptable in the NFL and in locker rooms across the country.
For Florida linebacker Michael Taylor, the key to not crossing the line is maintaining respect for teammates.
“I’m all for the jokes, all for playing. You’ve just got to know the personality of a player, and you’ve just got to know what you can do, what you can say to a person and treat everybody with respect,” Taylor said Tuesday.
“Everybody’s got a different level of comfortability about what you can say about them and how to approach them. You’ve just got to know your teammates. That’s my main thing with me, just respecting your teammates and knowing what you can do and what you can say to who.”
It remains unclear to what extent Martin was harassed by Incognito, who has denied involvement in the situation. Several reports include descriptions of the 24-year-old facing bullying, hazing and monetary demands.
Tyler Moore said Tuesday that Florida teammates will “make fun of guys if they do certain things, did something stupid or said something a little fun or something like that” but that any joking in the Florida locker room remains good-natured.
“Once you start using some terms that should not be said by certain people, you’ve gone way too far,” Moore said.
Struggles in the red zone: Florida’s offense ranks 104th in the nation in scoring, and being inefficient in the red zone has been a critical factor.
Of the 31 trips the Gators have made into the red zone this season, they have come away with just 14 touchdowns and eight field goals for a 71 percent success rate — the lowest in the Southeastern Conference.
Auburn leads the SEC in red-zone efficiency, scoring on 33 of 37 tries. Meanwhile, Texas A&M leads the conference with 44 touchdowns in the red zone this season.
“We’re not getting there enough,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “We do need more touchdowns. We get in situations where we settle.”
Compounding Florida’s problem is the lack of consistency from its kickers. The Gators have used three kickers this season — Austin Hardin, Francisco Velez and Brad Phillips — and each has been shaky.
Hardin, the lone scholarship kicker on the roster, has made just 4 of 9 attempts, including misses in two of Florida’s first three games. Phillips made his only field-goal try but shanked an extra point and has underwhelmed in practice.
Velez, who currently handles kicking duties on shorter attempts, missed a 40-yard try against Georgia.
Because each kicker has struggled, coach Will Muschamp has declared the position open as the Gators continue to search for an answer to their woes.
“We’re going to look at it again this week,” Muschamp said.
Freshman losing ground: Demarcus Robinson continues to be a non-factor in Florida’s offense and seemingly has lost the confidence of Pease.
On Sept. 17, Florida’s offensive coordinator said he expected Robinson to “pop” sometime soon. On Tuesday, his comments were less optimistic.
“Demarcus has to be more consistent with what he does,” Pease said. “Right now, he’s a good kid and he’s got a lot of ability, but you’ve got to continue to compete.”
Follow Phillip Heilman on Twitter @phillip_heilman.
Quarterback Tyler Murphy attempts a pass during Florida’s 23-20 loss to Georgia on Nov. 2 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. UF announced Sunday that Murphy will transfer from Florida and play his final season of eligibility elsewhere.
