Via Albert Breer on Twitter, Rotoworld.com is reporting that the NFLPA is “bracing” for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to grant the owners’ request for a stay of Judge Susan Nelson’s lockout injunction.

Technically, Chad Ochocinco broke the news, citing a union source. What we don’t like about the report is that free agency and trades would be delayed for at least a month. What we do like is that it would give the sides a chance to head back to the mediation table to try to hammer out a new CBA. A stay would wipe out all offseason programs, keeping the doors locked until at least mid-June, if not July or August.

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals already granted a temporary stay last week, so the news isn’t terribly surprising. What would be best for fans in the short term is if the stay isn’t granted. That means the league’s doors would open up, free agency would start and we would probably have an uncapped season next year. But that’s obviously not what’s best in the long term.

What’s best in the long term is that these clowns (I reserve the right to call them that considering they can’t figure out how to split $9 billion of the fans’ money) head back to the negotiating table and hammer out a new CBA. They have to find a compromise here.

Forget about which side is more right (or less wrong) and let’s see these guys come to an agreement already. The draft breathed some much-needed life into the league last weekend, and here’s hoping free agency will start soon so things can get back on track.