Gruden criticizes offseason contact rules with players

Jon Gruden isn't happy with some of the rules the NFL has implemented in his absence.

Returning from a nine-year coaching absence, the Oakland Raiders head coach skewered the rule changes - which came in under the new CBA in 2011 - that significantly restrict coaches' ability to have contact with their players in the offseason.

"You're not allowed to be with your players," Gruden told Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group. "Some genius thought that would be great, that we're not even allowed to talk to our players. So that's been a big challenge.

"You're not allowed to do anything. You're not allowed to coach your players. I've called several players, introduced myself. I think that's legal. I'm not having contact with everybody. … We're not allowed to have any real contact. It's pretty clear on what the rules are."

After spending so much time away from the sidelines, watching from the broadcast booth, it's unsurprising that the energetic Gruden is raring to go.

Unfortunately for the $100-million man, he has a lot to catch up on before he can try to live up to his contract.