Will the NFL be playing in 2011? It’s no sure thing

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The head of the NFL Players Assn. said today that he’s bracing for a possible lockout in 2011, and I, for one, agree with him.

I’ll post a column on this subject this evening on latimes.com.

While visiting Colts camp today, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith said he’s convinced owners will lock players out when the current labor deal expires after next season. He expressed his own willingness to discuss everything, including changes to the disciplinary policy.

Smith has consistently demanded team owners open their books for the union to get a better feel for the league’s exact finances. The NFL has countered that the union has all the information it needs to determine revenues down to the penny, and is simply trying to go on a fishing expedition.

-- Sam Farmer