Are the NFL Owners Simply Gambling for Public Opinion?

It's official: The NFL owners have already ratified the new collective bargaining agreement, 31-0 with the Oakland Raiders abstaining.

But there's a growing sense of discontent from the players side, as reported by various NFL insiders via Twitter. For instance:

Chris Mortenson, ESPN NFL Insider, when asked if there will be no deal tonight: "I don't know. Players expressing doubt. May need more negotiations."

Rachel Nichols, ESPN Reporter, retweeting what two players said: "Please don't get excited. The owners have agreed on a deal we the players have not seen!" -Vonnie Holliday, currently with the Redskins

And this one, originally tweeted by Heath Evans of the New Orleans Saints: "Here is what fans need 2 know: owners tried 2 slip many things into the CBA they voted on that were NEVER agreed to"

So this begs the question: Are owners trying to pull a fast one on the players by turning the tide in the court of public opinion?

The whirlwind that's followed the initial announcement of the owners' approval sparked optimism and hope among football fans around the globe, reminding us how much we as fans are looking forward to having (according to the ratings) our favorite sport back, working as normal.

And considering this lockout isn't anything like the NBA's, where teams are actually losing money, this labor battle has been a reflection of what many of us fans consider the owners being greedy. "What, you aren't making enough of the nine million dollars?" That's what we asked.

And then, we caught wind of 18-game season talk, smack in the middle of a new found focus on concussions and the impact they've had on now-retired NFL players who suffer everyday from their throwing their body into each other between the sidelines every Sunday and most weekdays for practice.

But then players began acting out; Ray Lewis' prediction of higher crime rates from bored/unemployed players seemed to come true, as we heard about arrests and even some tossing verbal hand grenades Goodell's way. And this article by Jemele Hill references a CNBC poll that showed 12 more percent of voters were siding with owners (though it's a non-scientific poll). The poll was taken in March.

So, is this really the owners trying to solve the labor crisis, or is it a major gamble for the fans goodwill, one that risks all positive energy brought together so far from the players?

Consider this, courtesy of NFL analyst Mark Schlereth: For the NFL preseason games, each player stands to lose $700 per game; the league will lose $200 million.

The next 24-48 hours will keep us on edge. And if this tweet (by agent Greg Linton) has anything to say, it will be tense: "Hey # NFL and # NFLPA , why don't you get the AGENTS a copy of the proposed agreement so we can "understand" and "advise"... just a thought."

For those wondering, an article written by Atlanta Falcons staff who were at the owners meetings shows key dates on the calendar if the NFLPA approves what the owners have approved.