After four or five straight days of rain, the Hokies were able to get outside as they continued their spring practice, and on Wednesday, Tech coach Frank Beamer and his staff conducted a very limited scrimmage inside Lane Stadium.

The Hokies' offense and defense worked on goal-line and red-zone situations for most of the scrimmage. In fact, the line of scrimmage never exceeded the 35, so don't be alarmed at the number of touchdowns scored. The offense didn't have far to go.

But still, take nothing away from Tech's offense. The Hokies displayed their power running game, and with that big, experienced offensive line, the running game worked beautifully. Despite the flash and dash of Michael Vick, André Davis, etc, this is still a power football team.

So without getting too complicated, here's some general observations:

• To start off, tailback Lee Suggs showed something in this scrimmage - an ability to run inside. We all knows Suggs possesses the burst to outrun anyone. But he showed some toughness on his touchdown runs of 8 and 5 yards in the scrimmage. Both runs came straight up the gut. Suggs keeps getting better and better and is having an outstanding spring.

  Wayne Ward also rushed for two touchdowns. With his big legs and 210-pound frame, Ward is a punishing runner. He still runs too upright, but he's hard to bring down.

• Kicker Carter Warley got a leg up on the kicking competition by drilling field goals of 49, 44 and 29 yards out. Warley wasn't perfect - he came up just short on a 55-yarder - but he possesses the leg strength and the tenacity to be a great kicker. That alone puts him ahead of walk-on Jon Mollerup, who hit two field goals himself.
  

• Linebacker Brian Welch missed all of last season with a torn ACL, so for eight months, he's been chomping at the bit to get in on some action. He finally did just that on Wednesday.

  Seeing his first full-contact action of the spring, Welch popped a running back (not sure which one) and stopped him for no gain at the line of scrimmage. Welch went crazy as did the rest of the defense. The Hokies need his leadership as well as his talent. Welch didn't play a lot Wednesday - he and the sports medicine staff want to make sure he's 100 percent by the fall - but he certainly made a statement that he's almost back.

  Speaking of linebackers, Jake Houseright, who actually played in the scrimmage last Saturday, sat out this one with that hamstring injury. His absence has left the door open for guys like Alex Markogiannakis and Chris Buie, both of whom have looked good this spring.

• Welch wasn't the only with a big hit Wednesday. Willie Pile, of all people, made back-to-back big sticks inside the 5 on one series. Not known for his physical play, Pile stuck his nose in there and made the play. Maybe a safety is finally stepping up.
  

• The defensive line played pretty well considering that unit was without starters Chad Beasley and David Pugh. Beasley sat out with a slightly injured quad, while Pugh was in class. Their absences left a lot of playing time for freshmen Kevin Lewis and Mark Costen. Lewis made several plays and the likelihood of him redshirting next season is decreasing.
  

• Tech's young receiving corps has suffered a setback. Ernest Wilford has been demoted to the chain gang for practices these days. Wilford, the 6-foot-5 freshman receiver, actually sprained his ankle in practice a week ago and will miss the rest of spring practice, including the spring game. Also, freshman Andraé Harrison missed his second consecutive scrimmage. He has been bothered with a groin injury. The sports medicine staff is doing everything possible to treat the injury just to allow Harrison to get as many reps as possible.
  

• Finally, Tech offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle has played it pretty close to the vest this spring. Quarterback Michael Vick hasn't gotten to throw hardly at all and didn't throw but two or three times in Wednesday's scrimmage. He hasn't played that much either because Bustle wants to give the other quarterbacks plenty of reps.
  

  So far this spring, Tech has worked more on the running game, which is a smart move. Bustle wants to make sure his running backs are prepared just in case André Kendrick doesn't come back. Suggs, Ward and Keith Burnell have gotten a lot of carries this spring. Also, Bustle's come up with a few wrinkles to get the fullback more involved and spring practice presents the opportune time to work on stuff like that. With Jarrett Ferguson and Cullen Hawkins being adept at both running and catching the ball, Bustle wants to utilize them more.

  And truthfully, we all know what Vick can do anyway.