NFL Labor Talks: The Latest News Surrounding the Drama in Washington D.C.

NFL Labor Talks: The clock is ticking, and time is running out. The biggest news surrounding the NFL this year is not the games that took place on the field, rather the negotiations taking place off it. 

As many of you are already aware, the current CBA is set to expire at 11:59 pm EST Thursday. There has already been some big-time news that will push that deadline back a bit. 

Here we will give you a rundown on all the developments that have rocked the current stages of negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Player's Association. It may be a while before there is a new CBA in place. For once, things are not looking as grim as they once were. 

Judge Doty Rules Against NFL

On Tuesday, District Court Judge Doty ruled that owners would not be allowed to utilize the $4 billion coffer set up with television money.

The owners were hoping to have the safety net in place giving them leverage against the NFLPA. With the ruling, a few teams will have to scramble to make payroll during the looming lockout. This is by far the biggest hit the NFL has been given so far. 

The owners were content to ride out a lockout as they used money set up for such an occasion. Now that this scenario is gone, they have just as much immediacy to negotiate as the players. 

Players Look to Decertify

The NFLPA has threatened to decertify. That has only increased the need for owners to come back to the bargaining table. 

Once they decertify, they would essentially dissolve themselves as a union. They would then seek to sue the NFL for anti-trust violations. We have received word that the lead plaintiffs in such a case would be Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. 

The most important aspect of decertifying now would be to keep the case in Minneapolis. This would maintain control of the hearings under Judge Doty. He has brought down a great many pro-NFLPA rulings. The most recent being the ruling on NFL owners using the $4 billion in TV contracts money. 

Extension

The NFL and NFLPA have finally agreed on something worthwhile. Both sides agreed to push back the Thursday deadline another 24 hours. 

This by no way means that an agreement on a new CBA is close at hand. It means that the two parties will work diligently on increasing an extension for another week or so. This would give the NFL time to negotiate some of the finer points of a new agreement. 

This would also buy the NFLPA time to decertify if they see fit. The NFLPA needs so dissolve before the CBA expires. If they don't, they will have to wait another six months before they can proceed with decertification. 

A Lockout Still Very Much Looms

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Patrick Peterson of LSU warms up before running a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

If the 24 hours passes without decertification, or another extension, there will be a lockout. The NFL will lockout the players effectively ending the offseason. 

Players will not be able to train with the team. No teams can sign, trade or release any talent. Prospects can still work in their pro days, but cannot receive instruction. 

The NFL Draft will still continue as planned. Players will not be able to enter into any agreement until a new CBA is ratified. 

The President Said His Piece

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: (AFP OUT) U.S. President Barack Obama walks through the Colonnade of the Rose Garden of the White House on January 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. Later this evening Obama will give his State of the Union Address to the Joint Ses

The President had some thoughts on the matter as well. He basically delivered the sentiment that the negotiations better be worked out, or he will have to step in. He did well in not taking a side either way. 

"You've got owners, most of whom are worth close to a billion dollars; you've got players who are making millions of dollars.

"My working assumption, at a time when people are having to cut back, compromise and worry about making the mortgage and, you know, paying for their kid's college education, is that the two parties should be able to work it out without the president of the United States intervening." 

That is the sentiment shared by most Americans. There is no time to pick sides; we just want our football. The war wages on between the NFL and NFLPA. The hope is that they can come to an amicable solution shortly.