Rams' Steven Jackson Moving to St. Louis: Could Be Good Sign on Lockout

In a tweet sent Saturday, July 2, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson said he was "packing and preparing to move back to Stl some time next week."

Without reading too much into it, this is a potentially good sign in regards to the chances of a labor agreement being reached by the end of next week. 

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk is one of many reporting growing optimism that a deal could be struck by then.

In addition, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted that lawyers continue to put together language for a possible agreement, sharing it with the NFL Players Association through a variety of methods.

Established teams with veteran quarterbacks such as the New England Patriots and Tom Brady, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger, the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning and the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers could be at an advantage entering a season where the offseason has been shortened. 

Teams implementing new offensive or defensive schemes (like the Rams, with new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels), or those with young quarterbacks (like the Carolina Panthers, with two young quarterbacks in second-year man Jimmy Clausen and this year's top pick, Cam Newton), could possibly be at a disadvantage. 

Individual work time with coordinators, repetitions with the offense/defense, time to build chemistry with receivers, and time required to install new plays and schemes have already been reduced.

With all that said, a deal struck by the end of next week should allow for full training camps around the league. 

As reported by stltoday.com, the better part of the entire team, as organized by Sam Bradford, James Laurinaitus and Ron Bartell, came together for several days of workouts and field work, once in St. Charles and another time in Arizona.

Rams QB Sam Bradford and several receivers have also reportedly worked out together in several locations.  Additionally, the defensive linemen recently finished a series of workouts in Florida.

All of these gatherings can only help in regards to building team unity, developing team chemistry and in taking baby steps towards implementing the new offense. 

All Rams fans should hope that the return of Steven Jackson to St. Louis is a good sign regarding the possible imminent end to the lockout and the return of pro football.

Shane Gray is a long-time St. Louis Rams fan and covers the Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, click: http://bleacherreport.com/users/582932-shane-gray