Good afternoon --

We are here at Gillette Stadium -- though he hasn't yet taken his seat next to me, I can hear Jim Donaldson in the back of the press box talking about Notre Dame's game with USC -- where it is pretty much nasty. It is 45 degrees at best, windy and raining.

There is no tarp on the field, and the heated benches are set up, along with the big heat blowers.

The field has not been re-painted to reflect the AFL legacy changes -- the "Flying Elvis" is still at mid-field, as well as the Flying Elvis Patriots' logo in each end zone, rather than Pat Patriot. But he will be on the sides of the team helmets.

There will be more updates as game time gets closer.

-- SHALISE MANZA YOUNG