Minneapolis, MN, United States

NFL labor talks are hitting high gear after Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith led their respective staffs, along with players and owners, through two days of effective negotiations in Minneapolis.

Though a deal may bot be quite imminent, the framework for what will be the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is slowing taking form.

Goodell and Smith have been through a rigorous schedule, including meeting with rookies Wednesday at The Business of Football: Rookie Edition , a union-designed seminar in Florida that is replacing the league's rookie symposium.

"We took a break because we felt it was important to be down here with the players," Goodell told USAToday. "We both have great respect for the players and this is an important few days."

Talks resumed Thursday and could continue through next week, with hopes a deal soon would allow for the entire $800 million-generating preseason to take place.

"(It's all) about getting a fair deal done and getting back to football as soon as possible," said Smith.

Some sources say a deal could have already been done if not for the owners desire to squeeze out some of their demands.

The major points, such as revenue sharing, are close to being resolved amicably. The players will receive somewhere around 48 percent of revenue instead of the approximate 56.9 percent given in the 2006 CBA.

Other points include free agency eligibility, a rookie wage scale, drug testing, a salary cap spending minimum, health benefits and TV considerations.

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