NFL, Players Pledge to Work Hard for New CBA

(Newsroom America) -- Representatives for the NFL and its players wrapped up a fourth round of "secret" meetings Thursday in Hull, Mass., following by pledges from Commissioner Roger Goodell and Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to reach a new collective bargaining agreement in time for the 2011 season.

Sources told the NFL Network that Thursday's meetings were the first since the secret confabs began in late May that the issue of rookie players' salaries was broached. While some stumbling blocks were expected, the report said, the joint appearance by Goodell and Smith at the end of the meeting was their first since the player lockout began 100 days ago.

"Obviously, we're all working hard, the players and owners were here over the last few days, and De and I were here for the entire meetings also," Goodell told reporters outside the Nantasket Beach Resort, where the talks were held. "And it's complicated, and it's complex, but we're working hard.

"We understand the fans' frustration, but I think both of us feel strongly that we're going to continue to work hard on it," Goodell said during his brief remarks.

Smith, who spoke next, said both he and the commissioner were "optimistic" about a new deal that will get players and clubs back together sooner rather than later.

"Someone asked me if I was optimistic -- I think we're both optimistic when we have the right people in the room," Smith said. "We know we're talking about the right issues, and we're working hard to get it done. It's extremely complicated.

"It requires a lot of hard work by a lot of people. But we're committed to getting something done. And we're going to keep working at it," Smith added.

The report said the league's group included New York Giants owner John Mara, San Diego Chargers president Dean Spanos, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, and outside counsel Bob Batterman.

Players were represented by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth, New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, former Pro Bowl guard Pete Kendall, outside counsel Jeffrey Kessler and general counsel Richard Berthelsen, said NFL Network.

Asked about the fate of the upcoming season, Smith took a positive tone.

"We're working hard. We nderstand the fans' frustration," he said. "I know our players' frustration, but we're going to keep working hard and try and make sure we get a deal done."

The official start of the NFL preseason is the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. This year's game, scheduled for Aug. 7, features the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Rams.

The regular season begins with a Thursday night game between the last two Super Bowl winners, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers Sept. 8 in Green Bay.

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