Coach Johnson will give refs earful — in offseason

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson won’t get a crucial chop-block penalty in Tech’s loss to North Carolina on Saturday reversed.

But he will be able to tell ACC referees all about it.

League football officiating coordinator Doug Rhoads invited him to give a presentation on chop blocks to ACC officials at their annual clinic next year.

Said Johnson, “I’m more than happy to do it.”

In the third quarter of Tech’s 28-7 loss to North Carolina in Chapel Hill, guard Joseph Gilbert was flagged for a chop block — called when one player blocks a defender high and another player simultaneously blocks him at thigh level or lower. Johnson argued the call — he told an Atlanta Touchdown Club luncheon that “I’m still looking for [it] on tape” — and said it was one of two plays that changed the course of the game.

A-back Roddy Jones’ fumble of a punt later in the third quarter was the other.

Rhoads offered the invitation Monday, when he and Johnson spoke by phone, as is commonplace for coaches, to air grievances about penalties. Johnson will be one of several coaches at the clinic, ACC spokesman Mike Finn said.

Johnson’s contention is that chop blocks also occur on passing plays, but only get called on run plays. Johnson’s offense relies heavily on the running game, and cut blocks — a legal maneuver in which blockers knock defenders to the ground by taking out their legs — are a staple of the scheme.

“I’m getting lectured [by an official] before the game, so I know it’s going to get called,” Johnson said. “I’m just curious when they’re going to call it.”

One at a time

At the luncheon, held at Fox Sports Grill at Atlantic Station, a guest asked Johnson if he was irked by Carolina’s passing the ball with less than four minutes to go and the score 28-7.

Said Johnson, “I can only coach one team at a time, but they’re in our division, and we will see them again.”

Time off

In preparation for its Thursday night game against Miami on Nov. 20, Tech will practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. The Jackets will have Sunday off, then have two more practices Monday and Tuesday.

Johnson gave players Monday and Tuesday off, going so far as to tell them he “didn’t want to see them in the office or weight room.”

Injury report

Johnson said that guard A.J. Smith should be able to play against Miami. Johnson said he thought Smith re-injured his elbow. Johnson said he should know more Wednesday about the availability of defensive tackle Vance Walker, who left the game with a leg injury. Offensive tackle David Brown (spinal injury) likely won’t play and cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels (hamstring) might, according to Johnson.