NFL LOCKOUT UPDATE: "Hope Floats"

Just as a quick update on behind-the-scenes discussions going on of late between the NFL Owners and Players, Andrew Brandt, a respected analyst I've been quoting a lot here just noted on his Twitter account:

"The secret-non-mediated-unknown location settlement negotiations between the NFL Owners and NFL Players have resumed. Hope floats."

Of course, this doesn't mean they're close to an agreement, but as we noted last week, "settlement" talks led to the last CBA being agreed upon and gives us hope that something similar is in the works. More importantly, they're not just sitting around being mad at each other; they're working together, free from mediators, judges and media distractions to pound this thing out before it's too late. We all hope so at least. Stay tuned...

UPDATE 3:31pm: Per Jason La Canfora, this is "a similar set up in that talks expected to extend over several days. Trying to build momentum and keep negotiating dynamics consistent."

Per Albert Breer, who broke the story, "These talks were unexpected after Moylan publicly cancelled the court-ordered mediation set to begin on Tuesday. Sources indicate Boylan moved to cancel this week's mediation in the interest of confidentiality.

When asked about the next meeting during an appearance at a military base in Fort Bragg, N.C., last Friday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, "We will be meeting again." Goodell declined to comment on when, but did strike an optimistic tone.

"I think it's fair to say anytime you have dialogue directly, that's going to lead to progress," he told reporters. "I think we need more of that. As you've heard me say many times, I think this is going to be solved through bargaining, not through litigation. So that (Chicago meeting) was a positive sign for us.""