NFL coaches, GMs briefed on labor dispute

INDIANAPOLIS - The NFL and NFLPA concluded a seventh consecutive day of meetings in front of a federal mediator Thursday and agreed to resume talks Tuesday, three days before the league's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire.

"At bottom, some progress was made, but very strong differences remain on the all-important core issues that separate the parties," read a statement from George H. Cohen, the head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, who has overseen the recent meetings between the league and its union.

Cohen did not specify the issues that separate both sides, but the biggest sticking point all along has been how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues. Among the other significant topics in negotiations: a rookie wage scale; the owners' push to expand the regular season from 16 games to 18 while reducing the preseason by two games; and benefits for retired players.

Both sides declined to tell reporters in Washington about the details of their meetings there, and coaches and general managers in Indianapolis were similarly tight-lipped after a leaguewide meeting with team representatives on the first day of the 2011 scouting combine.

Cohen has asked both sides to keep their talks quiet.

"Our time together has been devoted to establishing an atmosphere conducive to meaningful negotiations and, of course, matters of process and substance," Cohen's statement read. He said the two sides had a "highly focused, constructive dialogue."

"The tenor of the across-the-table discussions reflected a noteworthy level of mutual respect even in the face of strongly held competing positions," Cohen said.

If there's no new deal in place by the end of next Thursday, the union has said the owners will lock out the players, threatening the 2011 season.

The NFL, however, has said that the deadline could be extended.

In Indianapolis, head coaches and general managers met and got a "review" of where things stand, according to Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio, one of the few meeting attendees who stopped to talk to reporters. He said the coaches discussed scenarios that could play out after March 3, but did not get an update on the status of negotiations.

Eagles coach Andy Reid, like many others, declined to answer questions about the league session. Instead, he pretended to zip his lips shut.

The meeting had garnered much attention from reporters, coming as it did days before a potential lockout, but NFL executives said the gathering is a normal part of the annual combine.

Oops. He did it again. New York Jets coach Rex Ryan, brimming with confidence after his team reached the AFC championship game the past two seasons, has promised a Super Bowl win next season.

"I believe this is the year we're going to do it," he told reporters. "I believe this is the year we're going to win the Super Bowl. The fact is, I thought we'd win it the first two years.

"I guarantee we'll win it this year."

Broncos go with Orton at QB. Denver Broncos coach John Fox said that, for now, Kyle Orton is his starting quarterback - not the popular but unpolished Tim Tebow.

"I don't think we'll really figure it out until we start competing," Fox said. "It's a group of three that are very capable. Right now Kyle Orton is our starter. We have a young guy, high draft pick, in Tim Tebow who got his feet wet last year toward the end of the season. And then shoot, Brady Quinn I'm looking forward to seeing."

Orton started the first 13 games last season but gave way to Tebow for the final three games. Orton went 3-9 in his starts. Tebow won one of the three games he started. But he completed 41 of 82 passes for 654 yards and five TDs, had three interceptions, and ran 43 times for 227 yards and six touchdowns.

Pacman gets probation. Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was sentenced to probation and 200 hours of community service under a plea deal for his role in a 2007 strip-club melee in Las Vegas that left three people with gunshot wounds.

Jones told the Las Vegas Sun after sentencing that he's glad to finally have the case behind him and that he has been praying for the victims.

The shooting happened outside Minxx strip club during the NBA all-star weekend.

Police have said Jones instigated the brawl by throwing wads of dollar bills onto a stage at Minxx, then becoming angry when the strippers picked up the cash. After he was ejected, Jones met briefly with the accused shooter, Arvin Kenti Edwards, moments before he opened fire with a handgun. Three people were hit. One, a Minxx employee, was left paralyzed.

Jones pleaded no contest in 2007 to a gross misdemeanor of conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct. His deal reduced two felony coercion charges. Jones has denied having a role in the shooting.