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Almost nothing can derail a deal now
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 15, 2011, 7:10 PM EDT
Roger Goodell, DeMaurice Smith, AP

As another week of negotiations comes to an end, all signs are that a deal between the NFL and its players is so close that those in the room can practically taste it.

NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported Friday evening that an agreement is expected on a new deal early next week, and there is almost nothing that can stop it now.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones spoke briefly to reporters today and, although he wouldn’t come right out and say it was close, certainly seemed to be pleased with the progress that has been made. Jones is staying in town over the weekend to keep working toward an end to the lockout next week.

All expectations are that the owners will vote to approve a new deal on Thursday in Atlanta.

Tents, bleachers going up at Lehigh for Eagles camp
Posted by Mike Florio on July 15, 2011, 6:50 PM EDT
AndyReidtrainingcampAP Getty Images

It’s becoming more and more clear that the lockout isn’t going to end with a bang but with a shrug, in the form of an announcement made days after a new labor deal has become a foregone conclusion for most observers and fans. Until that joint statement declaring the return of football comes, a patchwork of circumstantial evidence will make that moment even more anticlimactic.

The latest piece of proof comes from the Philadelphia Eagles. Per LehighValleyLive.com, tents and bleachers are being erected at Lehigh University, site of the team’s training camp.

“It’s just them making preparations on their end,” Lehigh spokesman Steve Lomangino told Jim Deegan. “It’s the Eagles being proactive.”

Lomangino added that today is the day on which preparations would have begun, resulting in no delay to the process as a result of the work stoppage.

“We’re trying to be as prepared as possible in the event we go to Lehigh for training camp,” Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said.

C’mon Derek. “In the event”? The Eagles wouldn’t be spending the money to get ready for camp if the Eagles thought there was a real chance camp wouldn’t happen. Though it’s still remotely possible but highly unlikely that something crazy will happen (more on that later), the Eagles are getting ready for camp because the Eagles believe camp is going to happen.

Looks like a deal will get done next week.........FINALLY!

(Lets hold our breath.)

"As we reported on Total Access, after two furious days of talk, agreement in principle expected early next week. Nearly nothing in the way."

--Albert Breer


WOOOOOOO HOOO

Id ask if we are close.... but we have been close every day since June 20th

True. But this week is the 12th hour to keep everything in check and on schedule.

Its not really a surprise that it came down to this just sad. All along they knew their window of opportunity to get things done, and dragged it out as long as possible

It is a shame that this process took more than 125 days to complete, but it was a big game of chicken from the start. Nobody gave in until the 12th hour and that hour was July 15th, the date needed to save $800+ million in pre-season revenue. Both sides gave in a little along the way, but it really wasn't until the last two weeks that hard negotiations came about on the key topics. Both sides gave in a bit -- some say the players gave in too much -- and a fair deal looks to be made.

From the fans' standpoint, it could be a big win because if it's a 7-10 year deal we won't have to deal with this again for a long, long time. And parity remains in the new CBA with the way the salary cap is set up and the draft remains and free agency is expedited after four years, so the good game remains intact. That's good for all of us.

And while this lockout ruined our off-season, we didn't lose any games and hopefully we didn't lose many fans. These next three weeks of free agent signings should relight the football fires in all of us and really propel us to a very interesting 2011 season. Let's hope this gets signed next week and free agent signings started shortly after.

I agree, nothing is going to derail this now. Get this done, get this signed, get this approved and LET'S PLAY BALL!!

It's all but done. Time to get things rolling. Pretty psyched gang!!!