NFL Insider: Lockout Lifted? Don't Get Your Hopes Up

By now, every single football fan knows the courts have issued an injunction to lift the NFL’s self-imposed lockout of the players and that the NFL season just might go on reasonably unaffected.

But it’s important to remember the NFL owners are going to appeal this decision, which could leave us right where we were before—back to a lockout with little to nothing going on.

The players have considered this injunction a victory—as well they should—but they must remember this is a question of law. It does not mean someone is siding with them because they think their cause is the “right one” or that the owners are "wrong."

Apparently, in U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson's eyes, the lockout was illegal, and it was time for the NFL to resume business.

Interestingly, the NFL can ask the courts to put the decision on hold while the appeals process takes it course. If that occurred, the lockout would technically remain in effect either until the appeals process was exhausted or if the decision on Monday is overturned, declaring the lockout legal.

This has become a process that has been dictated by lawyers and not by the players or the owners. The lawyers have been hired to do a job, and it’s a job that granted, is difficult, but this is something that should be decided at the negotiating table, not in a courtroom.

Going to court may be a way to bring these two sides together, but it’s pulling them apart at the negotiating table.

The last time there was problem like this, back in 2006, everything was worked out between former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and the late Gene Upshaw. There wasn’t much of a need for lawyers to get involved, and everything seemed to work out well for all sides.

Granted, the deal was a good one for the players and not that good for the owners, but it still worked out well. There was nothing missed (including games and workouts, although free agency was delayed just a little bit). It seemingly worked perfectly.

So, in thinking football is back and things are going to be OK, it’s a good idea to be wary of what has actually happened. 

Some teams are not allowing players to work out until there is more clarification of the ruling that was passed down on Monday. 

There has been some minor work towards new contracts with agents attempting to contact teams, but NFL teams are still in lockout mode and are waiting for some direction.

Without any kind of order coming after this ruling, the NFL could end up having its messiest offseason ever. They need to instill some kind of structure to all of this, including when they can start free agency, when teams can start their workouts and when they can bring in their new players (draftees) and work them out.

Without that structure, things could get messy, and it could make things worse than not having football.

So, be wary of the fact that the lockout has ended—for now. 

Anything can still happen. The preparations for the new season can be delayed as can the new season.

Let’s hope it all gets worked out soon, and things get back to “normal”.