Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, one of the leaders in labor talks between the NFL and its players, said Tuesday that negotiations are not going well. "I personally am not as optimistic as some are that we are making much progress," Richardson said as he held his first press conference in nine years. Richardson's words come just after commissioner Roger Goodell sent an e-mail to an estimated five million fans saying the NFL and its players "can and will reach an agreement" on a new labor pact. Richardson and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen are the co-chairmen of the league's labor committee.