Three Virginia Tech Defenders Were Illegally Chop Blocked to Make This Article

Charles Anderson by Contributor Written on October 27, 2009
ATLANTA - OCTOBER 17:  Head coach Paul Johnson (L) of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets converses with quarterback Josh Nesbitt #9 after his touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 17, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Film review is standard practice after games. Coaches want answers. The problem is when they bring the issues up publicly.

Virginia Tech's submission after the Georgia Tech game was considered a standard number of plays to have reviewed. Georgia Tech submitted a few of their own. But until this issue was made public by Frank Beamer, nobody said word one about it.

Maybe it was because it was a tough loss. Maybe it was because of all the smack Kam Chancellor threw down and subsequently ate like humble pie.

Beamer says he made it public because the blocks were dangerous.

Personally I think it has something to do with the moon, or maybe the planets being poorly aligned. Look at the SEC, which supposedly has much better referees than the ACC. They suspended a crew after allegations of poor calls in two games, and their coaches are complaining loudly enough to be officially reprimanded for it.

I am against potentially dangerous blocks, but I am also against calling a legal block dangerous just because you aren't used to seeing it. Georgia Tech uses cut blocks and crack back blocks a lot more than I see other teams using them, and they get penalties for chop blocks more than I feel they should, but that's the game.

Unless a player is truly intent on hurting another player, or specifically making a dangerous move, this process should be kept between the teams and the ACC. There is no good that will come out of this, just frustration from both camps.

Virginia Tech fans have already posted numerous videos to YouTube showing the allegedly illegal blocks, but even with the slow motion, it's questionable from both sides.

Chancellor should take note, though, that this doesn't change the outcome. He jumped the gun saying he "figured out" the offense and should be more careful about who he boasts to in the future, lest he be embarrassed by ESPN again.

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Did Georgia Tech Get Away With Illegal Chop Blocks?

  • No
  • A few, but they weren't intentional
  • I think so, but it's hard to tell on film
  • Yes
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Did Georgia Tech Get Away With Illegal Chop Blocks?

  • No

    40.2%
  • A few, but they weren't intentional

    22.8%
  • I think so, but it's hard to tell on film

    6.5%
  • Yes

    30.4%
  • Total votes: 92
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written on October 27, 2009 Opinion

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