March 27, 2007

BLACKSBURG - The Virginia Tech football team will hold the first of its 15 spring practices Wednesday evening on the Tech practice fields. The team will practice each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday leading up to the Spring Game, which will be held April 21 at 2 p.m., inside Lane Stadium.

"We're real excited about getting spring practice started Wednesday," said head coach Frank Beamer. "We have a lot of people back, but we have some areas we have to get right."

Tech returns eight starters on both offense and defense, but lost both kickers - Brandon Pace and Nic Schmitt - as well as long snapper Nick Leeson. Finding replacements for those three will be one of several areas of emphasis this spring.

Suring up both lines will also be a heavy point of emphasis. Senior Duane Brown is slated to move to left tackle and Ryan Shuman will move to center. Several other players have been moved around as well in an effort to find the best five to put on the field. Starter Sergio Render will be held out of contact during the spring after having surgery on his knee in January.

"I like the makeup of our offensive line," Beamer said. "We're looking for some toughness and I think we have the possibility for that. We're also looking for some quickness, and I think we have the possibility for that as well. But this is a big spring for the offensive linemen."

On the defensive line, the battle to replace end Noland Burchette will be a closely watched on. Chris Ellis will also be held out of contact after having shoulder surgery. Finding backups along the line, as well as at both linebacker spots to Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall will be of utmost importance.

Tech must also replace the combo of Aaron Rouse and Cary Wade at rover, and must find a new whip linebacker with the departure of Brenden Hill. Kam Chancellor will be moved to rover to battle with Dorian Porch while Cam Martin and Steven Friday will be moved to whip to battle Corey Gordon and Cody Grimm.

Quarterback Sean Glennon (hand) and cornerback Brandon Flowers (ankle) are expected to miss the first few practices due to injury, but should return to full action by the second week of practice.

All practices are closed to the public. The only practice open to the public is the Spring Game.