WIll UVa. D be better in 4-3?

Chris Graham

Depending on how you account for things, around half of the NFL uses a 3-4 defensive front – featuring three down linemen and four linebackers. The scheme is popular with pro coaches looking for ways to slow down West Coast offenses that rely on timing in the passing game and quick hitters on the ground….

VaSportsOnline.com: Tech extends Beamer’s contract

Chris Graham

The Virginia Tech Athletics Department announced on Friday the extension of head football coach Frank Beamer’s contract through Dec. 31, 2016. Beamer’s contract had been set to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. “I appreciate Virginia Tech’s confidence in me leading this program,” said Beamer, who is entering his 24th season heading up the Virginia Tech…

Tech extends Beamer's contract

Chris Graham

The Virginia Tech Athletics Department announced on Friday the extension of head football coach Frank Beamer’s contract through Dec. 31, 2016. Beamer’s contract had been set to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. “I appreciate Virginia Tech’s confidence in me leading this program,” said Beamer, who is entering his 24th season heading up the Virginia Tech…

Cline gives thumbs-up on rail news

Chris Graham

State Del. Ben Cline, R-24th, today applauded the elimination of a critical choke point with a reconfigured rail junction on Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor near Front Royal. This was the final of six capacity improvement projects in Northern Virginia that will help more trains travel at higher speeds and ease traffic congestion on I-81. “Ensuring…

Text of McDonnell budget speech

Gov. Bob McDonnell addressed the joint Senate Finance, House Appropriations and House Finance Committees in Richmond on Thursday. Below are the governor’s remarks as prepared for delivery. Thank you. Chairman Colgan, Chairman Putney, Chairman Purkey, members of the General Assembly money committees, ladies and gentlemen: good morning. As is the custom each summer, I come…

Grant will help Smart Beginnings with ‘Getting Ready’

Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley, a local collaborative coalition working to improve the quality of early education and care in the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton and Waynesboro, as well as in Augusta, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties, has received a significant grant of $125,000 from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, a public-private partnership headquartered in Richmond….

Ken Plum: Yesterday’s solution

Ken Plum

A press release from Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office last month proclaimed that a charter school bill the governor signed put Virginia in the “vanguard of the National Charter School Movement.” While a certain amount of hype is to be expected in any press release, this one may have gone over the top. In considering the…