• 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.