The answer to each clue below will be a common phrase - almost - because something will be missing that it needs to become the phrase we are familiar with.  The same something will be missing from each clue answer.

1. Admiral's tryst
2. Water cooler gossip
3. Knockoff of an Intel product
4. Issue for the media
5. Voice teacher
6. First financial quarter shipments
7. Angry football lineman

HINT:
What's missing is ING.

Answers:

1. Fleet romance - Fleeting romance
2. Break news -  Breaking news
3. Bargain chip - Bargaining chip
4. Press matter - Pressing matter
5. Pitch coach - Pitching coach
6. March orders - Marching orders
7. Cross guard - Crossing guard

Credit: LA Times Crossword
April 25, 2010
Mark Bickham
MISS-ING