By Associated Press

12:27 p.m. EST, February 25, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS—
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith began their latest negotiating session for a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday in Indianapolis.

As the league's annual scouting combine got under way, the two sides met in a hotel ballroom. Both sides arrived shortly before 9:30 a.m., and Smith was joined by several players' representatives including Colts center Jeff Saturday.

Goodell appeared to be in good spirits. He smiled and hugged one player before negotiations began. Goodell has said he believes the two sides can reach a new deal before March 2011, when the CBA expires.