Would you call this violation?

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

My bad. Would you call it? Seeing what the punishment is, I agree with the no call.

It's interesting that you put it that way. That actually has been named as a reason for a rule change, as I recall. Swinging an elbow without contact was changed from a T to a violation, at least partially because officials were hesitant to call it. Having said all that, the OP is pretty much identical to a casebook play. If an official refuses to make this call simply because he disagrees with the penalty, his position is impossible to justify.