End in sight: NFL players, owners closer than ever?

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

No?

Yesterday, the clock appeared to be ticking down on a new collective bargaining agreement and the end of the NFL lockout. Unfortunately, player reps left NFLPA headquarters in Washington, D.C. without a vote. The holdup, according to ESPN, was the lack of a final document to review.

Owners are still scheduled to meet today in Atlanta and a vote could take place via conference call. According to ESPN, topics for discussion include the CBA, transition rules and a calendar for the start of the 2011 season.

NFLPA president Kevin Mawae said that the players aren’t tied to a July 21 deadline.

“Our timeline is to get a deal that’s best for the players — today, tomorrow or whatever it might be,” Mawae said.

If the players ratify the deal, with a majority vote, then 24 of the 32 owners must say “yes” for the new CBA to pass. The antitrust lawsuit, pertaining to 10 plaintiffs, isn’t expected to hold up the deal.