More interesting developments on the personnel front, with chief contract negotiator / cap manager Dawn Aponte and former president Mike Keenan reportedly gone.

With a new face coming to the negotiating table, perhaps the ongoing contract discussions with Josh Cribbs might have a different tone. Here's hoping!

"We're going to do exactly what we did to Hester, what we did to Dante Hall four years ago when he was at Kansas City," [Oakland punter Shane] Lechler told the media. "When you (kick away from a returner), it goes to show that you don't trust your guys. I'm willing to put my guys up against anybody. I like my guys. My punt team is outstanding; they play their butt off every Sunday."</

Josh will get his chances today!

More evidence that Lerner is taking the idea of the protest seriously, at least on a PR basis. It'll be interesting to hear what the organizers have to say after this meeting. Might they call it off if properly reassured?