On February 24, 2006, Frank Beamer hired Curt Newsome away from James Madison
to serve as Virginia Tech’s new offensive line coach. The Hokies’ offensive line
was once one of the top units in the nation, but had fallen upon hard times. The
talent level was down, and of the players that were in the program, not many
were prototypical Curt Newsome players.

The Hokies have been known as a running team under Frank Beamer, and their
style of play is dependent on tough, physical play at the point of attack. This
past season, Tech didn’t get that from their offensive linemen, and it cost
them. They are hoping to get back to their old form in 2007.

The Hokies have had some very good offensive lines in the Beamer Bowl Era,
but which one was the best? I take my shot at it in the table below. Besides the
always important average rushing yards and yards per carry, it covers average
weight, as well as the number of players that weighed over 300, 320 and 330.
Those numbers will be important later.

VT’s Top Offensive Lines, 1993-2006
Year	Ave. Weight	300+	320+	330+	Rushing YPG	YPC
1996	313	4	2	1	227.6	4.8
1993	293	1	1	0	242.8	4.6
2000	290	1	0	0	270.5	5.2
1999	284	1	0	0	253.9	5.0
2003	306	3	1	1	209.3	5.3
1997	302	4	0	0	215.3	4.3
2002	306	3	2	0	212.4	4.5
2005	298	4	0	0	190.7	4.1
2001	292	2	0	0	194.7	4.3
1995	281	0	0	0	184.3	4.3
2004	306	2	1	1	178.2	4.2
1998	293	2	1	0	178.4	3.8
1994	290	1	0	0	156.8	3.6
2006	304	4	1	0	113.4	3.2
Totals/Ave.	296.8	32	9	3	202.0	4.37

Most Tech fans would agree that the 1996 offensive line was the best of the
Beamer Bowl Era. Despite having a pocket quarterback rather than the traditional
scrambler, the Hokies still averaged 227.6 yards per game on the ground. The
line featured future NFL players such as Billy Conaty, Gennaro DiNapoli, Todd
and T.J. Washington, and Jay Hagood.

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