The momentum keeps building in the NFL labor discussions.
The owners and players have begun a set of semi-confidential meetings for the third consecutive week, this time in Maryland, according to NFL Network. The talks are expected to continue into Wednesday, which would mark the seventh day of these discussions in the last three weeks.
Optimism is increasing over the possibility of striking a deal within the next month, and many in NFL circles point to mid-July as the target to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. If a deal is reached by July 15 or so, the NFL should have full training camps and preseason.
One interesting note: The lawyers are back in the room, according to NFL Network, and this could mean several different things.
From an optimistic standpoint, the presence of lawyers could indicate the two sides are finalizing some important steps in their discussions, which would be an obvious sign of progress.
However, both sides, particularly the owners, have been very outspoken about their disdain for negotiating with lawyers present. The lawyers' negotiating tactics aren't very popular, and owners and players are worried about the lawyers' true intentions, since they'll get paid more as this process drags out longer.
Since many reports have noted levels of cautious optimism from the negotiating parties — as in, they know the negotiations could still fall through like they did in March — the hope is the lawyers don't serve as lightning rods at this stage of the process, especially after the NFL and its players built up significant levels of goodwill in recent weeks.
But then again, the lawyers wouldn't be present if they weren't invited to serve a purpose, and that might be the best way to gauge the situation.
One thing is certain: The two sides are working diligently in hopes of having a full football schedule in 2011.
