Photo by AP (File) Judge Susan Nelson. This undated photo courtesy of the U.S. District Court in Minnesota shows U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

NFL owners scored a key victory in court when the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that a lower court judge’s order lifting the NFL lockout ignored federal law.

Here’s the 54-page ruling. Click HERE!

This decision could help to speed up the on-going labor talks with the season is approaching.

The NFL and NFLPA issued a joint statement on the ruling which said,  “While we respect the court’s decision, today’s ruling does not change our mutual recognition that this matter must be resolved through negotiation. We are committed to our current discussions and reaching a fair agreement that will benefit all parties for years to come, and allow for a full 2011 season.”

The Falcons opened training camp last season on July 29. The Pro Football Hall of Fame game is scheduled for August 7.

The appellate court ruled on …

Jacquizz Rodgers was a highly productive running back in the Pac-10 (Associated Press)

A lot of  you all have been asking about running back Jacquizz Rodgers.

I caught up with his uncle Rodney Williams yesterday and he’s going to have Quizz give us a call. (So, we should have a longer blog with Quizz real soon.)

Uncle Williams was happy to report that Quizz was back in class hitting the books. They are on quarters at Oregon State and he wasn’t done until the middle of June.

We chatted for a little while. I told Uncle Williams that the interest about his nephew was pretty high.

I also had him confirm that Rodgers’ lone fumble in college was on a pass that was officially ruled a lateral.

The Falcons traded away their fifth round pick (158th overall) and one of their seventh round picks (229) to move up 13 spots to select Rodgers on draft day.

Here’s what Rodgers had to say after the draft. Click HERE!

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

Running back Jerious Norwood has recovered from his knee injury, according to his agent Bus Cook. (Curtis Compton/Ccompton@ajc.com)

For the next few days — while we’re waiting on news from the lockout talks — let’s play a little game: Sign or Don’t Sign. It’s my version of “Deal” or “No Deal” or “Buy” or “Sell.”

It’s a little free agency game to keep us busy while time is becoming of the essence in the labor talks.

Here’s what the list looks like:

Justin Blalock, left guard, 4 years

Matt Bryant, kicker, 9 years

Tyson Clabo, right tackle, 6 years

Harvey Dahl, right guard,  4 years

Brent Grimes, cornerback, 3 years

Michael Koenen, punter, 6 years

Stephen Nicholas, linebacker, 4 years

Jerious Norwood, running back, 5 years

Michael Peterson, linebacker, 12 …