It’s been a while since I’ve said this, but believe me this is a huge week for the NFL. The NFL owners meet Tuesday and Wednesday and then negotiations will pick up again.

Commissioner Roger Goodell’s challenge is to get the owners behind the basics of the plan that have been discussed in the not-so-secret talks over the last few weeks. When the deal is complete 24 of the 32 owners must agree to it.

Although the first Sunday of the regular season isn’t until Sept. 11, there is plenty to do before then — free agency, minicamps, training camps and preseason games.

Time is of the essence.

There’s a chance if an agreement can be reached within weeks and the lockout lifted, that training camp which usually starts at the end of July could be moved up two or three weeks to make up for the lack of offseason team workouts.

It’s up to Goodell and to DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA’s executive director, to get the deal done. The clock is ticking.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)