Talks between the NFL and its players union broke off early Saturday evening with no progress reported on a new collective bargaining agreement. The league is saying the two sides would meet again later today, but union officials are reportedly not as confident. The stalemate increased the possibility that many high-priced free agents would become available on the market as teams struggled to get under the salary cap by 6 PM ET this afternoon. If there is no new agreement by that time, the 2006 salary cap is expected to be set at $94.5M, over $10M less than if there were a new agreement. The free agent signing period would then begin at midnight if there is further extension of the talks.

It wasn't quite the event of past Miami pro days, however, over 100 NFL personnel types representing every team at the league was at Miami's pro day workout on Saturday. Unlike in the past when the top Hurricanes' prospects would routinely pass on working out at the Combine, most of this year's top Hurricane prospects did participate at the Indianapolis event; indeed, a number chose to stand on their Combine results. One who didn't was KR Devin Hester who was a little disappointed with a Combine 40-time in the mid-4.4s. Hester, who played both WR and CB during his Miami career but still doesn't have a position to call his own, bettered his Combine time with 40 clockings in the mid-4.3 range on Saturday. On the other hand, DT Orien Harris probably didn't do much to himself running his 40s in ovr 5.25 seconds. LSU also worked out yesterday, but like the Hurricanes, most Tigers had already worked out at the Combine. One LSU player pro scouts were hoping to get a look at was DT Claude Wroten, who had been a rising star in the 2006 draft class before getting into some legal troubles which have now been resolved. Unfortunately, Wroten who didn't workout at the Combine because of a minor leg injury, pulled up on his first 40 try. Wroten though will get another chance when LSU holds its second scheduled pro day on March 16th.