So...my prognostication skills stink.

It’s still Wednesday, so call this premature, but I’m conceding.

NFL lockout: 1

My prediction the lockout would end July 6: 0

I’m hanging up my prognostication hat – at least regarding this issue – but I remain confident a deal will happen soon.  Just don’t ask me for a date; turns out I’m lousy at league-related guesswork.

NFL.com reports legal teams representing the league and players’ union are meeting for a second straight day in Manhattan, hammering out details and language of a *gasp* potential agreement.

Players' association head DeMaurice Smith will join the negotiations tomorrow.

That paper agreement, a rough draft of sorts, means nothing until an actual agreement happens.  The earliest that’s expected is late this week.  NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and players association head DeMaurice Smith are set to join talks Thursday, as will U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

The sticking point remains revenue sharing, the longstanding issue that’s divided both sides for months.

Insiders say it will take up to two weeks to make an agreement an official signed document.  Hypothetically, let’s say an agreement happens next Wednesday, July 13.  Add the expected 10 to 14 days to that date, and you’re looking at July 23-27 – training camp season.

That’s why this week is especially critical.  If a deal isn’t reached by the end of next week, we’re faced with the real threat of losing preseason games.  Sure, the NFL preseason isn’t tremendously exciting, but by my count, it serves three primary functions (in no particular order):

1. For the fan: It’s been a long six-month drought for our football-deprived senses.  We need something, even if that “something” doesn’t really count.  Any football is better than no football.
2. For the franchise: Player evaluation.  It’s the hallmark of building a NFL team; determine who fits and who doesn’t, check out new additions, fill out a depth chart, and for teams like the Broncos, see the new coaching staff at work for the first time.
3. For the league: Money, and lots of it.

So what about those court rulings?

Remember the legal battle about networks’ rights fees?  What about that lockout-lifting injunction?  Both rulings are pending, but it’s a safe guess decisions have already been made.  According to legal teams involved in the latest negotiations, both courts are keeping mum while the league and players try to work out their differences.  If that doesn’t happen, and talks stall or even break down, it’s possible, even probable, the courts will share reveal their rulings.

What about the free food?

Last month, Buffalo Wild Wings promised free food if the NFL lockout ends by July 20.  To be eligible for your free six chicken wings, you must first sign Buffalo Wild Wings’ ‘Save Our Season’ petition on Facebook.  So yes, that offer stands for two more weeks…at least I think it does.  Does ‘end’ mean agreement reached or document signed?  Here’s hoping it’s the former, because the last thing Buffalo Wild Wings needs is mutiny over a technicality (or lacking disclaimer).

PR nightmares = Bad.  Free food = Good.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

The NFL isn’t satisfied with a temporary stay.

This morning, ESPN reports the league filed an 18-page brief with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, outlining its case for a permanent stay of last week’s injunction to lift the lockout.  The NFL argues U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson lacked the authority to get involved in the labor conflict.   A week ago, Nelson granted the players’ request to block the lockout.

In its brief, the NFL insists the National Labor Relations Board – not Nelson – has the authority to make such a ruling.

Nelson wrote in her decision, “the irreparable harm [of a lockout] to the players outweighs any harm an injunction would cause the NFL.”  The league maintains the opposite, saying it’s the owners who are harmed if the lockout is lifted, and the players are mostly unaffected, since this process should be completed this offseason.

Until a decision is made, player transactions, such as trades, free agent signings, or cuts are in limbo.

The 8th Circuit could decide as early as today whether to issue the permanent stay or uphold Nelson’s ruling.

Follow Denver Horse Force on Twitter at @Aerys_Broncos and Facebook at www.facebook.com/denverhorseforce.

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So much for that.

Doing its best Brett Favre on-again, off-again retirement waffling, the “unlockout” is over.

An appeals court granted the NFL’s request late this afternoon, temporarily putting the lockout back in effect immediately.  That decision came after more than 15 Broncos players showed up at the team’s Dove Valley facility today.   About a dozen players showed up to Dove Valley Thursday, their first time since early March.

In order of arrival, here is the list of players who showed up today, according to The Denver Post:

• Spencer Larsen – FB
• Robert Ayers – DE
• Braxton Kelley – LB
• J.D. Walton – C
• Cassius Vaughn – CB
• Chris Kuper – G
• Eric Olsen – G
• Zane Beadles – G
• Dan Gronkowski – TE
• Brian Dawkins – S
• Richard Quinn – TE
• Chris Clark – OT
• David Veikune – LB
• Joe Mays – LB
• Perrish Cox – CB
• Lonie Paxton – LS
• LenDale White – RB

The appeals court is expected to rule next week if the NFL’s stay request will remain in effect though the injunction ruling appeals process, as estimated 6-8 weeks.

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Kevin Vickerson showed up today at Dove Valley - for a few minutes. (Courtesy Jeffrey Beall)

The official tally stands at one.

This afternoon, Broncos defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson ventured into familiar – yet unfamiliar – territory, becoming the first player to visit Dove Valley since the lockout began more then six weeks ago.

His appearance was brief, according to NFL Network’s Kara Henderson, who was at the team facility for NFL Draft preparations. Henderson tweeted Vickerson went to his locker, grabbed something, and went on his merry way.

Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson lifted the lockout, forcing teams to open facilities. Weight rooms are off-limits.

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Multiple reports suggest U.S. District Court Judge Susan Nelson could rule as early as today on an injunction request by the NFL’s players.  That hearing was April 6 in a Minneapolis courtroom, and Judge Nelson said then a ruling would take a few weeks.

It seems this is the week.  As for any specifics, it’s all conjecture, but expect a ruling before the start of Thursday’s NFL Draft.

If Judge Nelson sides with the players, the league-imposed lockout would be lifted.  It’s always possible – even likely – there will be an appeal by the losing side.  Even if the players win this round and the lockout is lifted, that doesn’t necessarily include free agency.  It all depends on the details of Judge Nelson’s ruling, whenever that happens, but here is Peter King’s take:

I think the biggest question about Judge Susan Nelson issuing an injunction this week — which I presume she will do — to kayo the owners’ lockout of the players is whether she’ll order the league year to start immediately. Will she open the doors and start the league year and order free agency to begin? Or will she issue a stay and say the league can’t begin until the appeals court issues a ruling in the case? Obviously, if free agency begins and teams don’t know if there’s going to be a salary cap this year, there won’t be the willy-nilly spending of some other free-agency periods. And the union could load up with charges of collusion if very good players aren’t pursued in the free market. In short, it could exacerbate the situation, not help get closer to a settlement.

Mediation between the league and players is on hold until May 16.

NFL Invites Players to Draft

Remember when there was talk of a prospect boycott at the NFL Draft?  NFLPA’s George Atallah quickly diffused the controversy last month when he sent a series of tweets disputing the word ‘boycott’ was ever used.

If anything, the 2011 NFL Draft is the “anti-boycott.”

A record 25 prospects will attend Radio City Music Hall later this week, including Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and the presumed frontrunners for Denver’s No. 2 pick (Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley, Von Miller, and Patrick Peterson). Miller’s inclusion is a bit surprising, since he is the lone prospect listed on the antitrust suit against the NFL.  Talk about irony.  Can you imagine the hat, jersey, and handshake exchange with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when Miller steps onto the podium?

Awkward.

We won’t have to imagine.  We’ll see it on Thursday.

Melissa with Barry Sanders Memorial Blog has the full list, along with more on some other draft week activities planned.

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Here’s a simple question.

Would you prefer doing something on your own volition, or do prefer acting on someone else’s orders?

If you’re the NFL or its players, you don’t have that option.

Following on the directive issued by U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson, forced mediation between the league and players will resume Thursday.  Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan will mediate the proceedings from Minneapolis.

Promising? That’s questionable.  Productive?  The natural cynic in me says no.

Just because both sides are ordered to talk doesn’t mean they’ll agree on anything or make any definitive headway.  As reported by ESPN, Judge Nelson said the mediation has no impact on last week’s injunction hearing to lift the lockout.  Her ruling is expected in a couple of weeks.

Injunction hearing date set

The next legal battle between the NFL and its players heads to a Minnesota courtroom April 6.  U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson will hear the players’ injunction request to keep the league and owners from having a lockout.

Several players filed a federal antitrust lawsuit Friday, minutes after their union decertified.  Once the collective bargaining agreement ended at 11:59 p.m. ET Friday, the owners locked out players in response.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it’s unlikely there will be any talks between the NFL and players before April 6.  A source told Schefter there’s “no chance” any negotiations will take place until there’s a ruling on the injunction request.  The source expects a decision on the injunction within in a week of the hearing.

NFL Draft boycott?

Forget the obligatory handshake and photo opp at the NFL Draft.

Could it be a prospect-less NFL Draft? (Courtesy: Marianne O'Leary)

When Denver makes its first draft selection, there’s a good chance Commissioner Roger Goodell will be alone at the podium holding a Broncos hat and #1 jersey.

Multiple sources told ESPN the NFLPA contacted 17 elite prospects telling them not to attend April’s NFL Draft.

Each year, the league invites several top prospects and their families to Radio City Music Hall for the draft.  Television interviews then follow, but no players means nothing more than sitting and waiting to hear which player went where.

Sources say it’s possible players will do post-pick interviews elsewhere (as opposed to the NFL Network – for obvious reasons), including competing networks or social media exclusively.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the NFL league will still invite 15-20 top prospects to next month’s draft, adding the decision is always left up to the players.