Sign that NFL lockout may be ending soon?

HOUSTON

Before today the annual NFL rookie orientation called the Rookie Symposium had not been scheduled because of the labor situation, but what I heard today from a source very close to the situation is that earlier today the symposium was put on the books for June 27-29.

The source said now there's a sudden scramble to get this thing on. The thinking is that the players and owners are close enough to coming to at least a framework of an agreement to be able to put the symposium on. If both sides allow the rookies to attend you know they're close.

An announcement could come before June 27.

Although the owners or players won't say anything publicly about the symposium actually being scheduled, it is and could mean the end of the discord is near. They've still got a lot of talking to do, but this could be a very hopeful sign.