I’ll get to all the quarterback stuff a little later, but first something that just came across the Virginia Tech injury hotline, courtesy of team trainer Mike Goforth (never enough room in the paper to give issues like this the analysis they deserve) ...

Redshirt freshman right tackle Blake DeChristopher (Clover Hill High) is expected to miss two to four weeks after an MRI yesterday revealed a bruised right kidney, knee and quadriceps. He suffered the injuries on the fourth play against East Carolina, after Sean Glennon threw an interception. DeChristopher’s injury occurred when 306-pound defensive tackle Jay Ross hit him from behind and another ECU player hit him in front. Ross was called for an illegal block. Junior Richard Graham (St. Christopher’s) likely will take DeChristopher’s place Saturday, as he did against ECU.

This is another stroke of tough luck for line coach Curt Newsome and his right tackles. Before last season, starting right tackle Ed Wang broke his left ankle early in the preseason and didn’t play until the season’s seventh game. Wang’s injury caused Newsome to move Nick Marshman from left guard, his natural position, to right tackle. Graham became the starter at left guard, a position he almost certainly was too light to play. The line performed much better after Wang returned to the lineup and Marshman moved back to left guard.

The line was supposed to be better this season. The only starter it lost was left tackle Duane Brown (Hermitage). Wang moved from right tackle to take his place, and DeChristopher became the starter at the seemingly cursed position. Both Newsome and head coach Frank Beamer have said the line is better than it was last season, but there still is room for improvement. If you look across the line at the backups, right tackle seems like a position for which a short-term injury isn’t devastating.

Consider the backups and their experience ...
LT Greg Nosal—redshirit freshman (played five snaps Saturday when Graham cramped up)
LG Hivera Green—fourth-year junior (has never played)
C Beau Warren—third-year sophomore (started two games last season when Ryan Shuman was injured and played every snap in those games)
RG Jaymes Brooks—redshirt freshman (has never played)
RT Richard Graham—fourth-year junior (started the first six games last season at left guard)

I spoke with Graham last night and will have a story on him in Friday’s paper. He has played every position on the line except for center and is proud of his versatility, considering he probably would have played at Princeton if Tech hadn’t offered him a scholarship three weeks before signing day in 2005. He also lost weight this summer while battling mono, but is back to about 284 pounds now.

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It’s been a busy few days for the local kids on this team. DeChristopher got hurt, and Graham took his place. Redshirt freshman cornerback Cris Hill (Highland Springs) got in the game Saturday for the first time when Stephan Virgil was briefly dinged up. Senior Victor “Macho” Harris (Highland Springs) was absent at the other corner spot because of a sprained left foot. Sophomore John Graves (Meadowbrook) struggled in his first career start Saturday and had zero tackles. Sophomore rover Davon Morgan (Varina) also started his first career game. Phew. Don’t think I missed anybody.

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Thanks to all who have commented on here. I noticed one came all the way from Japan. Great to see. Keep ‘em comin’.

More later. If I don’t hit the fridge soon, I’m going to eat this laptop.