BLACKSBURG -- Those Virginia Tech football fans already freaking out over the Hokies' offensive-line play just need to chill out.

Who says so? Try 6-foot-5, 290-pound right tackle Duane Brown.

Want a piece of this guy? If so, it's proof that you're weren't so smart for starters.

"Oh, yeah, I know there are a lot of doubters, and there will always be doubters about the O-line at Virginia Tech, because it is every year," Brown said Tuesday. "But we're working hard. And we've got enough talent to be as good or better than the O-line was last year."

Brown says lay off for now. He doesn't want to hear it as No. 16 Tech (1-0) preps for Saturday's ACC opener at North Carolina (0-1).

"This offensive line is going to be fine," Brown said. "And I'm not saying that just because I'm on the line. We've got talent across the line. It's young and it's inexperienced. And we're going to get it polished up this week."

Certainly, the bunch didn't look totally buff in last Saturday's 38-0 season-opening rout over visiting I-AA Northeastern. There were several assignments and gaffes.

While Brown, senior center Danny McGrath, and redshirt freshman left guard Ryan Shuman all received passing marks when the coaches graded the game video, freshman right guard Sergio Render and third-year sophomore Nick Marshman, who took over for injured No. 1 left tackle Brandon Frye late in the first half, received report cards smudged with several minuses.

"Not bad ... not great," responded Tech coach Frank Beamer when asked about the offensive line's performance. "It's kind of what you'd expect, considering. ... Sergio graded out at 80 percent. You'd like to have better, but I think Sergio, lining up for the first time, it wasn't bad. I would bet he'll do better this week."

Brown knows the deal. On several occasions against Northeastern, the big fellow was on "tilt" as he tried to spin quickly enough to get a piece of onrushing defenders on each flank. That's OK. Brown knew he was going to be riding a turnstile with young Render debuting at his immediate left.

"Luckily, it didn't hurt us as much as it could have," Brown said. "It's freshman mistakes. Sergio knows how I am. I raised my voice at him ... you have to in Lane Stadium ... and tried not to get too down on him.

"Hey, Sergio is going to be a good one. He made some mistakes and he knows he can't make those same mistakes this week. I've just got to make sure he's ready."

Forced to switch

With ex-Tech assistant Danny Pearman now on UNC's staff, Beamer said the Hokies have installed new play signals for Saturday's contest. Pearman was an assistant for eight years at Tech before he was re-assigned to "other duties" inside the athletic department. He landed a assistant's post coaching the defensive ends at UNC last spring.

"Yeah, it has everything to do with Danny being there," said Beamer of the changes. "We probably needed to because we've been doing it the same way for a while. So that gave us a reason to make sure we got it done because you don't like doing that because it takes time."

Tech tidbits

Following his Monday radio show commitment, Beamer got to watch most of the Florida State-Miami contest. FSU won 13-10 while the two teams combined for 3 rushing yards. "You talk about two tough defenses, and neither one of their offenses are slouches. Talk about some fast guys ... some fast, big guys running around. I guess the team in your [ACC Coastal] division [Miami], you want to get 'em a loss. But I thought Miami was going to win it." ... Backup cornerback Jahre Cheeseman, who underwent minor left knee surgery Aug. 11, returned to practice Tuesday. ... Tech, 8-0 in ACC road games since entering the league two years ago, was a 12¹₂-point pick over UNC at most Las Vegas books Tuesday night.