The NFL and the NFLPA have made "some progress" over seven consecutive days of face-to-face meetings, "but very strong differences remain," and negotiations will resume next week. George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, released a statement shortly before noon Thursday, his first public comments since he began working with the league and the NFL Players Association last week. The current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of the day next Thursday, and the union believes owners have been preparing to lock out players as soon as the following day.