Unlocked?

In scanning the headlines on NFL.com to get all the first-round draft news (Did Atlanta really trade five picks to draft a wide receiver? What was their GM smoking?) I came across this nugget... "Doors Open Friday."

Seems that the league and it's Clueless Commissioner have decided -- for the moment -- to take the judge's injunction against their lockout seriously and let the players come back to work. That's a positive sign. Players can work out at team facilities, get medical treatment, talk to their coaches. Even shop at Patriot Place. So great. Starting Monday it's believed that teams will even be able to sign free agents and plan for minicamps and do all that other fun offseason stuff.

But don't let Roger Goodell fool you. It's just another PR move in a series of PR moves. The fact that it was announced quietly while the league was holding its big draft party in NYC shows just how serious the owners are about moving forward with the season. Not very. The NFL continues its battle in court and is hoping to have the injunction overturned and the locks put back on the stadiums.

As Goodell, who will one day be known as the man who ruined the NFL, said yesterday: "I think the litigation, unfortunately, could go on for some period of time." Long enough to kill the 2011 season if they don't smarten up.