Lori

Haven't seen a Hardee's in years, and I don't think there's one within a three-hour drive of me. Other than that ... Sheetz Shmiscuits are a workable substitute, though. I'm working midnights this weekend; maybe I'll stop by on the way home in the morning for my dose of artery-hardeners.

Steelers are an NFL franchise, and their ownership has been a source of discussion for most of the last year. How is this not about football?

One of the easiest breakfasts you can make: a bag of hash browns and a can of diced Spam, browned in a cast-iron skillet. A staple of my childhood, growing up in a single-parent home.

Petty partisan politics? Probably not. Dan Rooney was a vocal supporter of Obama's campaign, endorsing him during the Pa. primary: That said, if they have a chance to save themselves some money by getting the deal done now ...

See y'all there. Lot 1, or Section 109.

The official e-mail finally showed up, so the 3:30 p.m. opening is now confirmed.

No prob, and yeah, it's nice to have a direct line of communication with these guys. Sully does one over on his blog every Thursday; I'll have to remember to start linking that one, too. Not sure too many people here would disagree with Allen, at least on the "outcoached" part. ***** Tim Graham hasn't mentioned this week's chat on his blog (yet); guessing he's still wrapping things up in Foxborough after last night's game. According to the ESPN Web site, though, there is one scheduled. Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel. (In other words, hit the link below somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 p.m.) http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=23613 Edit: upon further review, Mr. Graham is apparently otherwise occupied this afternoon. (Completely understandable.) Apologies for the incorrect assumption, and never mind ...

One more bump. Tom's colleague at The News, Michael Beebe, posted this on the Sports, Ink blog for anyone who may be so inclined: For those wanting to send a card to Tom, the address is Tom Borrelli Trauma ICU Erie County Medical Center 462 Grider St. Buffalo, N.Y. 14215

+3.5 means Akron was favored.

quote from the Browns' weekly release: Some teams don't wear the patch; not sure about this year, but I know the Pats weren't the only ones to forswear it last season. Edit: last year, Baltimore, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Philly, and Washington all named their captains on a week-by-week basis. Haven't seen the list for this season.

http://buffalonews.typepad.com/billboard/ Just started.

Programming note: Stefan M. previously worked for two of the three TV stations in the Buffalo market. Neither job ended well. From Keith, a nice tribute planned for Saturday's radio broadcast:

"We"?

Hah. Last week, the guyz didn't save ME a spot. But I'll try ...

Eight? I believe Kenny was out there at his usual time -- FIVE. Certifiable, but in a fun way.

Update from this morning: Hope held out for News reporter still in critical condition after fall Not good: "Borrelli, 51, is breathing with a respirator and is unable to move his arms and legs, said family members who are holding out hope his condition will improve once his extensive swelling goes down." The cause?

Too bad the trading deadline was last month.

http://www.pewterreport.com/forum/

Thanks for making it home safely, Grandpa: Cpl. William R. Chase 28th Rgt., 1st Inf. Div. A.E.F. France, 1918-19 (And to all who have served.)

What BMWolf said. At the very least, as he noted, you need hookups for the PA and scoreboard. If there's a local radio broadcast, add multiple phone lines (and space for at least a pbp guy and a spotter); double that if more than one station is calling the game, which is common even out here in the sticks. And that's without even taking print media into consideration. Since I'm not writing for a Friday night deadline, I don't take my laptop with me (recorder, steno pad for pbp, a separate running-stats sheet, and a pair of binocs is how I roll). And a lot of people are both writing and shooting, so it's not a big deal for them -- they're on the sideline. But guys like BMW who are filing on those skin-tight deadlines absolutely need to get a start on their running copy before the game ends, and a lot of places (including The News) are live-blogging games now. Trying to do that while balancing a laptop on your knees in the bleachers, in semi-darkness (since a lot of the schools around here have crappy lighting)? Unpossible. Screw 'em. Cross that school off the list of places to cover, and wait for their coach to call in his stats instead. I tried to do one game from the bleachers this year at a particularly unhelpful venue. There will not be a second. But your more recent post is absolutely correct: Safety codes and laws should apply, just like any other workplace. Yes, it IS a workplace. ***** Back on topic, one of Tom's friends weighs in -- Sports, Ink: Score one for Tom Borrelli The news at the top of that post is grim, but not unexpected. Be well, Tom.

I hear you, Bmwolf. At "my" team's home field, the upper level of the press box (used by coaches, mostly) is accessed by a metal ladder that isn't even attached to the wall. And since my seat is nearest to the door on the lower level, I've had to help catch a couple of people when it moved underneath them ... All the best, Tom. Be well.

Updated with the sad news that Tom Borrelli, a Tonawanda native and sports writer for The Buffalo News, died this morning due to complications from his injuries. (Thanks for letting us know, grunt67.) The BN story is on Page 2 of this thread. **** From the BN's Prep Talk blog: Best wishes to Tom Borrelli

They already serve wine in the clubs. C'mon, open up that wallet just a little bit wider ... Hey, that's my job -- director of marketing.

Ouch.

I giggled at that. Maybe I shouldn't have ...