Goodell, Smith Back in Minnesota to Negotiate

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By DAVE CAMPBELL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith took their new buddy act on the road Wednesday, creating a buzz among rookies in Florida then returning to Minnesota for talks to try and end pro football's labor impasse.

The NFL commissioner and the players' boss took questions from rookies at an orientation symposium in Sarasota, Fla., where recent draft picks were glad - and relieved - to see their two surprise guests.

"Guys are hurting for money right now," said quarterback Christian Ponder, a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings. "It's a crazy time, especially with the uncertainty of when we're going to start and get some money in our pocket."

"It's big for them to come together. I thought that was pretty cool," he said. "It looks like they have a pretty good relationship."

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