NFL Network: Labor Deal "Within Striking Distance"

For some reason, a lot of the reporting about the lockout and a possible labor deal has been couched with cliched phrases or old sayings. Today's phrase is "striking distance." That's how close NFL Network correspondent Albert Breer says a new labor deal is.

"They've made more progress over the last month than they did over the previous two years, and that's got everybody feeling pretty optimistic about where we are right now. As of right now, the feeling's pretty positive."

"It seems like everybody feels like a deal is within striking distance and today has become a very critical day," said Breer, who said there is "still some negotiating" to pin down the distribution of revenue between the parties while they tackle another hot-button topic today.

"They'll be discussing the rookie salary scale -- in depth -- for the first time in this set of meetings," said Breer. "A lot of people will feel awfully good if they can get past the rookie thing.

The feeling here seems to be that if all goes well with these owners talks in Boston, we could have a new deal very soon. On another note, what is with these negotiations and meetings hopping around the country? They started meeting in Washington DC, then moved to Minnesota, then stopped talking... Then they started again, the owners met in Chicago, Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith had dinner in New York and now things have moved to Boston.

Nicer sheen on the conference room tables? Padding their travel rewards accounts?