"At a time when many are waiting for and anticipating a labor deal, there was a time Tuesday when talks clearly regressed.

One person close to the talks even went so far as to say, "This almost blew up yesterday."

How close it did is a matter of opinion. But what is factual is that the moment came shortly after lawyers from both sides were brought back into the process. As tensions rose and anger grew, two sources said NFL Players Association leader DeMaurice Smith instructed his lawyers to "stand down.""