John Harbaugh is an outspoken critical of the NFL's new rules in which coaches can't talk football with their players or even discuss the playbook until April 21 when the offseason program officially begins.

The players union wanted these limitations on offseason workouts because it protects players from coaches who annually pushed them in classrooms, conditioning and on-field sessions for nearly four months before training camps opened in late July. 

"The management council and the players association have got to get together and help us as organizations and coaches help our young players develop as people and players," Harbaugh said last week at the NFL owners meetings. "I mean, come on. You hold us responsible and want us to be a factor in their lives like the mentoring program and things like that. Give us a chance."