Making a joint statement following today's latest session of labor talks, both NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith acknowledged that it remains difficult to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement.

"Someone asked me whether I was optimistic," Smith said. "I think we’re both optimistic when we have the right people in the room. We know we’re talking about the right issues and that we’re working hard to get it done. It is extremely complicated, it requires a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but we’re committed to getting something done and we’re going to keep working at it. Just to wrap up: we’re working hard, we understand the fans’ frustration, I know our players’ frustration. We’re going to keep working hard and try to make sure we get a deal done.”

The NFL negotiating committee and the players' representatives met over the past few days in the Boston area.

"You obviously know we met over the last couple of days," Goodell said. "We are under court order as far as what we can discuss so our comments will be brief. But obviously we’re all working hard. The players and owners were here over the last two days.

"De and I were here for the entire meetings also. And it’s complicated and it’s complex, but we’re working hard and we understand the fans’ frustration. But I think both of us feel strongly that we’re going to continue to work hard at it.”