Court Cancels Mediation, Settlement Negotiations Continue

I think this is a legit sign that an end to this mess could be near.

I think this is a legit sign that an end to this mess could be near.

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Let's hope. Skinfan69's custom made Vince Young Redskins jersey is just collecting dust

I don't see how this is a sign the players are winning. I take it as a sign demaurice smith is actually negotiating in good faith for the first time so a mediator is no longer necessary.

I'm not sure either side is winning, but it seems to be an indication the owners are starting to budge a bit.

I don't see how this is a sign the players are winning. I take it as a sign demaurice smith is actually negotiating in good faith for the first time so a mediator is no longer necessary.

Well the NFLPA offered settlement as an option in the past, and the owners rejected. Though I believe this a different sort of settlement

I don't care who "wins" as long as both sides agree and I get football.

Keeping the lawyers out will be the key to progress | ProFootballTalk (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/02/keeping-the-lawyers-out-will-be-the-key-to-progress/)

I don't care who "wins" as long as both sides agree and I get football.

True, and in the end the fans are the real winners in this.

My read is that possibly both sides have figured out that a decision from the 8th either way basically puts the season in serious jeopardy. Whoever loses is going to both a) lose almost all their leverage and b) be forced to essentially either give up or take it all the way. I don't doubt both sides anticipate the other isn't willing to cave all the way so they therefore have to think the other side is willing to kill the season. Maybe both sides are simply scared that the other is really "crazy girlfriend". Either way real negotiations, without lawyers, is the only way this ever is going to get resolved. Court decision or not. Might as well do it now before the golden goose is totally shot.

Well the NFLPA offered settlement as an option in the past, and the owners rejected. Though I believe this a different sort of settlement

The NFL also offered what nearly every sane person beleives was a reasonable offer, atleast reasonable enough to merit countering... And smith balked and called it the worst deal in the history of sports. It seems likely that smith returned to negotiations due to building pressure from the players whos interests he was supposed to be representing the whole time.

In the end, I believe a deal needs to get done before the ruling next week. I think any deal reached after the ruling would be horribly one-sided and short lived, with another lockout by the owners or a strike by the players within 5 years. The only way we get a long term deal now is if both parties recognize they need eachother and work out a deal they all can live with. Neither side needs to "win." the most important thing is that no one feels they "lost."