Times wires
Monday, April 11, 2011
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The NFL and its locked-out players have been ordered to talk again.
The federal judge handling the lawsuit against the league told both sides Monday they will participate in court-supervised mediation, saying she still is considering whether to grant the players' request to lift the lockout.
The players got their wish, with the talks held in the federal courts in Minnesota rather than the collective bargaining setting in Washington where the sides unsuccessfully met last month.
U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson said formal mediation will begin Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan in Minneapolis. Boylan will meet with representatives for the players today, then league representatives Wednesday.
Talks broke off March 11, and the labor agreement expired. The NFL Players Association dissolved that day and players filed a class-action antitrust suit.
TALIB CASE: Investigators didn't test Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib for gunshot residue after a March 21 shooting in Texas, according to documents released by authorities. Talib, 25, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon two weeks ago after Garland, Texas, police said he fired a handgun at his sister's live-in boyfriend. Talib's mother, Okolo, 58, also was arrested and charged with firing shots. Police said Talib fled the scene and was unavailable to be tested for gunshot residue.
DRAFT EVENT: Heisman Trophy winners Cam Newton and Mark Ingram are among 20 college players that the NFLPA says plan to be part of its events concurrent with the NFL draft, April 28-30.
RAVENS: Offensive line coach Andy Moeller pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to two years of supervised probation.
Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.