Redshirt Reform?

Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer have a problem. After being upset at home Saturday afternoon by Skip Holtz and East Carolina, should Beamer and the Hokies pull the redshirt of highly recruited Tyrod Taylor? The Tech offense was stagnant the whole game. Sean Glennon’s, the starter at quarterback, play was lethargic all game as he completed just 14 of 23 passes for 139 yards and two interceptions. Nearly half of that total came on a 62 yard pass to set up a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Hokie nation now calls for Beamer to pull the redshirt off of the speedy Taylor and hopefully add some spice to the Hokie offense that was in slow motion much of their opening loss Saturday.


Virginia Tech needs to be careful though. Texas redshirted Vince Young his freshman year and it paid dividends with a national title for the Horns in his last year in the program. Mack Brown learned his lesson after mismanaging a few years earlier the Chris Sims and Major Applewhite quarterback situation. Major Applewhite was the older more experienced quarterback yet Chris Sims received the nod over Applewhite time and time again because of his pedigree being the son of Chris Sims and the fact that he came in as a high school phenom from New Jersey that was supposed to lead the Longhorns to the promised land. Sims never reached his potential at Texas and Applewhite added fuel to the fire performing admirably every time he was given a chance to lead the offense, after repeated mistakes by Sims. Brown learned the error of his way and was patient in grooming Young for the starting job which eventually let to Texas beating Reggie Bush and USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, ruining their chance as a Three-Peat National Champion.

Frank Beamer should be careful in making the decision that most everyone in the country that follows the Tech program is wondering “does Taylor start next week or not?” Pulling the redshirt off the sophomore could help Virginia Tech have a successful season this year. However, Virginia Tech does not have an experienced receiving core and pulling the redshirt could hurt the team a few years from now when/if the extra year of eligibility for Taylor could mean the difference between a national championship or a 8-4 season for the Hokies. It will be interesting to see what how this situation unfolds. If Beamer makes the right decision, whatever that may be he will be looked at as a genius. If he makes the wrong decision, whatever that may be he will be viewed as an idiot. I believe the quarterback who gives Tech the best chance to win should play. Only time will tell who that individual is.

Peace,


Senor Clayborne