It’s certainly a good sign that the NFL and NFLPA have agreed to meet with a federal negotiator on Friday. It does not mean that an agreement will be reached before the current collective bargaining agreement expires on March 4. However, it’s a step in the right direction and shows they can agree on one thing.

No official negotiations have taken place since last week.

Mediation is different from arbitration which is binding. Mediation is something like going to a marriage counselor.

The NFLPA released this statement: “The NFL Players Association has always focused on reaching a fair collective bargaining agreement through negotiations. We hope that this renewed effort, through mediation, will help the players and owners reach a successful deal.’’

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, an independent U.S. government agency, will oversee negotiations in Washington beginning Friday, according to the Associated Press.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)