College Football
Is Tyrod Taylor Following in Marcus Vick’s Footsteps?
Virginia Tech sophomore QB Tyrod Taylor is an unquestionable talent. But he’s also an undeniable prick on the field, witnessed at least three times during the Orange Bowl:
- after a sideline run when he pushed the ball in his tackler’s face;
- at the end of his touchdown run when he tucked his hand behind his helmet as he pushed the ball across the goal line, dancing inside the pylon; and
- during a post-game celebration pose — leaning back, arms crossed, head bobbing.
Those were not isolated incidents. Throughout his two seasons, Tyrod — the supposed team-first player — has shown an oh-so-subtle flair for taunts and showboating in almost every game in which he appears. Subtle, because he taunts in a hit-and-run style that can go unnoticed. Methinks he gets away with it because of his innocent, baby face — and his 13-2 record as a starter.
But the Hokies should be embarrassed. And no one moreso than coach Frank Beamer.
What happened to Beamer’s get-tough policy? In the wake of the infamous Marcus Vick chest stomp in 2005 and other incidents that were tarnishing the Hokies’ program, Beamer announced before the 2006 season a set of escalating penalties for unsportsmanlike play.
And don’t forget this quote from Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver in January 2006 after he (not Beamer) dismissed Vick from the program:
“Additionally, let me make it clear, to everyone, that Virginia Tech, myself and Head Coach Frank Beamer; will never put a single player above the integrity of this program or this great University. We owe that much to the players of the past who have helped put Virginia Tech on the map, and to the thousands of Tech fans who take pride in this program.”
But Beamer and Weaver seem to be turning a blind eye to Tyrod’s antics.
(Or am I the only one who sees this? Refs did not throw a flag on either of the Orange Bowl incidents I saw, TV commentators said nothing, and Hokie fans I know are silent.)
Evidently, Beamer either cannot discipline Taylor, or is afraid to. And because of that, I’m convinced that sooner or later, Tyrod is going to have his chest-stomping moment and prove himself to be just another Hampton Roads punk like the Vick brothers before him.
Tyrod, prove me wrong. Stop the posing and the taunting. Don’t waste your talent. Just play ball.
And Frank, grow a pair and do something about this before Taylor revives unfair talk of VT being Thug U.
Discussion
8 comments for “Is Tyrod Taylor Following in Marcus Vick’s Footsteps?”
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Thug U…. ouch.
Tebow, White…. lots of dual-threat QBs out there that take a more humble approach to playing the position and are just as competitive. They show up higher in dual-threat lists like this one, too:
http://theredzonereport.com/2008/05/11/2008-top-20-dual-threat-qbs/401/#more-401
Frank grow a pair? Would you tell him that to his face?
I might not say that to his face out of respect, but he certainly has been less than a disciplinarian throughout his coaching career. He’s more of a friend to the players than anything. Weaver had to play bad cop and kick Marcus off the team because Beamer wouldn’t. … And Thug U is not fair, but two years ago, you remember that was the reputation the Hokies were picking up because of Vick and a few of the defensive backs who racked up late hits and unsportsmanlike penalties. I’m just saying that Beamer can’t let the program backslide like that, and Tyrod needs to grow up and play the game like a team player. Right now, he’s no leader. He’s just a great athlete helping his team win.
Did you love what happened to ‘bama or what?
Yeh, I totally agree… I think it’s tough, though, for older head coaches like Beamer or Bowden or Jo’ Pah. I mean they already have a reputation of being old skool coaches. Not an excuse, understand, just the way it works for them.
I wonder, though, if younger coaches like Sabin, Meyer and Carroll control their players any better because they’re younger? I suppose they have choices on the bench, and maybe that’s the difference? Sabin has that attitude — but it didn’t show last night.
I totally know you would NEVER say that to Frank. My smiley dropped down a line.
Love the blog!
You make a great point about those other coaches having options on the bench, giving them the freedom to discipline stars if needed. Beamer doesn’t have that luxury — the Hokies’ margin for error is pretty small (see the four losses).
As an SEC guy, I really hoped Alabama would win. But I have to say I’m happy for Utah, and really happy to see Saban knocked down a notch.
Talk about late-season folds. In mid-November, it looked like an Alabama-Texas Tech national championship game might happen. Now each has two losses to end the season. Amazing.
I certainly wouldn’t say that to Beamer’s face. Besides, I’d be too distracted looking at that brown thing on there.
“It’s not a goiter!”
ALL YELL PLEASE GO TO HELL, THANK YOU
You asshole no nothing, if you dont like what Tyrod dose ‘CLOSE YOUR DAMM EYES OR DONT WATCH’