The NFL and the players met for seven hours on Tuesday and although negotiations were tough, "some progress" was made, according to a source. Hanging over this week's talks is the prospect of a ruling from U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson, who ordered this mediation, on the players' request for an injunction to lift the NFL lockout. The NFL schedule was released shortly after Tuesday's session, and Commissioner Roger Goodell struck an optimistic tone, saying the season would be played as intended. "Clearly, we have some uncertainty with respect to the labor situation, but this is a great day for the fans," Goodell said. "We're doing all we can to prepare for the 2011 season. We're announcing the schedule as usual, around this time of year, because we know that is an important point where fans start looking forward to the season, and I think there's every reason for them to do that. We have every intention of playing a full schedule, and that's why we're releasing it as we normally do."