Can Mara be the peacemaker?

Washington, D.C. - The NFL and NFL Players Association have reconvened negotiations under the auspices of federal mediator George Cohen, and there's at least one notable change in the roster of negotiators. Giants president and co-owner John Mara has joined the talks, which represents the first team owner to do so. 

Mara's presence doesn't mean there will be a breakthrough, but it does mean the NFL is at least willing to inject one of the league's leading - and most moderate - voices into these last-minute negotiations. Mara is a member of the league's negotiating team, but had not been present for a week's worth of talks that ended last Thursday. 

He is considered one of the NFL's most respected team leaders, and is universally well regarded, even among many NFLPA executives. The league may be hoping he plays a role similar to that of Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who has been a steadying influence on labor issues over the years. It should also be noted that Mara's father, former Giants president and co-owner Wellington Mara, also fought hard to achieve labor peace during his ownership tenure. 

Mara did not comment as he walked into today's meetings shortly before 1 p.m. Other NFL representatives included commissioner Roger Goodell, lead negotiator Jeff Pash, Falcons president Rich McKay, and Redskins general manager Bruce Allen. 

Executive director DeMaurice Smith led the NFLPA delegation that also included top negotiators Jeff Kessler and Richard Berthelsen. Among the player representatives were Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, Colts center Jeff Saturday and Vikings linebacker Ben Leber. 

Also joining the talks was former Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett, who stopped briefly outside the mediator's offices and wanted to know if Packers president and former Redskins player Mark Murphy was present. Bennett said he was ready to advocate on behalf of retired players. Murphy suggested in an interview last week that retired players might actually be getting too many benefits from the league. 

"I don't think you could have a greater sense of urgency," said Pash. "We all know what the calendar is, and we all know what's at stake for everybody. And that's why we're here. We're going to be here as long as it takes and work as hard as we can work to get something done."