Ahhhhh ... good evening, everybody. Welcome to The Times-Dispatch’s Virginia Tech blog. I promise we won’t paraphrase noted WFAN blowhard Chris “Mad Dog” Russo too often in this space, but I just couldn’t help myself this time.

OK, first things first: I’m Darryl Slater, the new Tech beat writer for Your Fine Local Fish Wrap. Our previous Tech writer, Mike Harris, was promoted to sports editor—sort of like Tony Soprano bumping Christopher up the chain, but we all know how that turned out for Chrisy and certainly don’t wish a similar fate upon Mike.

Second things second: I’d love for you guys to contribute to this space, if only so I don’t feel like I’m rambling to an audience of zero. Better to ramble to an audience of, say, eight.

So anyway, Tech started practice today. No two-a-days this season. Coach Frank Beamer wants to make sure the Hokies focus their energy on each practice. And this will indeed be an energy-sapping season. Expectations are high—on the field and off it. Tech has a talented team, expected to contend for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series. Not just that, the Hokies could be a healing force for a community grieving after the April 16 shootings on campus.

More immediately, here are three tidbits from today’s practice ...

1. Junior tailback Branden Ore is third on the depth chart. Before you launch into hysterics that would make Jim Ross blush, know that Ore is only there because he came back to school slightly out of shape. Expect him to be the starter and perhaps regain his top spot by next week. Ore was going to do the second summer school session, but spent the summer at home in Chesapeake because his friend’s grandmother died. Ore said the grandmother, who was sick for some time, was his friend’s guardian, and that he’s known this friend since he was 4. Ore assisted his buddy with funeral arrangements and helped him find a place to live.

Here’s what Ore had to say about it ...

“He was like a brother to me, and anything I can do for him, I’m there for him. I don’t regret it at all.“

“[Tech’s coaches] want me to be more of a leader. I can’t be a leader at home. But at the same time, I was taking care of business.“

“I wouldn’t say I’m out of shape [Ore worked out at his old high school, Indian River, and at a friend’s house while home]. I’m in shape, just not in the type of shape as these guys. The guys that have been here all summer, there’s no way that I could have been in the same shape as those guys.“

2. Junior Nick Marshman, set to start at left guard, plummeted to fourth on the depth chart because he showed up out of shape. Sophomore Richard Graham is now listed as the starter. Considering Marshman isn’t as proven as Ore, his return to the No. 1 spot probably won’t be as easy.

3. Beamer said he expected to hear later yesterday about the academic status of highly regarded recruit William Alvarez, who is awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse—a process that seems to have lasted longer than the 2000 presidential election, though Alvarez’s arrival could have more of an impact than that silly democracy thing. So if Alvarez is cleared, he could join the team soon.

OK, gang, we’ll end this inaugural blog by polling you guys about, well, a poll ...

QUESTION: Where will the Hokies be ranked when the coaches poll comes out tomorrow?