Falcons owner Arthur Blank, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/DLedbetter@ajc.com)

Arthur Blank and the rest of the NFL owners won a crucial victory over the players in federal appeals court on Monday.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the owners a stay from an injunction that would have lifted the lockout that started on March 12.

“It is now time to devote all of our energy to reaching a comprehensive agreement that will improve the game for the benefit of current and retired players, teams, and, most importantly, the fans,” read the NFL’s statement. “This litigation has taken the parties away from the negotiating table where these issues should be resolved. We remain confident that the appellate court will determine that this is a labor dispute that should be governed by federal labor law. But the league and players, without further delay, should control their own destiny and decide the future of the NFL …

Eli Manning couldn't run from "The Police" back in 2009. (Associated Press).

BIRDLAND – Wes Durham and Dave Archer, the Falcons’ fine radio announcers, like to refer to linebacker Curtis Lofton as “The Police.”

He has the nickname because of his uniform number, 50. One of the nicknames for the police is 5-0 as in the old television show, Hawaii 5-0. Durham and Archer have concluded that “teams can’t run from the Police.”

Lofton has racked up 345 tackles in his first three seasons in the league. Last season, Lofton appeared headed for the Pro Bowl last season before he slowed somewhat down the stretch while playing hurt.

After the season, he had surgery on both knees.

Lofton spent part of his rehab time working on his upper body strength and is now getting his legs back in shape.  Before going through seven-on-seven drills, Lofton recently chatted with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Q: How has your offseason been?

A: The offseason has been pretty busy for me. I had a …