This will likely be the last extension before a lockout or the union files to decertify. Unofficially, the NFLPA Executive Committee must formally approve the extension, the two sides have agreed to extend the deadline to March 11th at 5:00 pm (likely central time).
Various reports say that both sides have given a little in their stances in an effort to make headway in what appeared to be a stare down. Official details have yet to be released and it’s unclear if player and team contract negotiations will be permitted.
With the draft a little under 2 months away, the league and the NFLPA need to have a deal in place soon or risk no free agency until after the draft. Something that neither side wants to see happen.
The fact that a new deadline is being put into motion means the two sides are moving ground to get to a finality in the CBA negotiations. Far from a given that a deal will get done (and it still could blow up in their faces), it’s a positive sign they are making strides in the negotiations.
Many believe that both sides will take the weekend off and reconvene on Monday.
Original Story:
http://phinphanatic.com/2011/03/04/1-...
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