Tom Coughlin of the Jaguars could have broken the NFL rules during the off season with a simple statement

When the Jacksonville Jaguars launched their Off-season training program on MondaysJalen Ramsey and Telvin Smith were absent.

As for off-season training, players are technically allowed to stay at home because the training is voluntary. Apparently, someone forgot to report this fact to Jaguars executive vice president, Tom Coughlin, because he seemed very upset on Thursday when he was asked about the fact that Ramsey and Smith did not show up .

"We are close to 100% participation – and enough frankly, all our players should be here, "Coughlin said, via the team's official website.

Although Coughlin's one-sentence answer does not seem like much, he might have broken the NFL rules with his statement. Under the collective agreement, club officials are not allowed to make players feel they are attending a specific training, which Coughlin could have done.

From the ABC:

"No club official can indicate to a player that the club's training program outside of the season or classroom instruction is not voluntary (or that the fact that 39, a player does not participate in a training program or classroom instruction will result in the player will not succeed in making his club other adverse consequences affecting his working conditions).

NFLPA President Eric Winston was clearly unhappy with Coughlin's comments, as he issued a statement Thursday suggesting that the players' association could sue the Jaguar leader for violating the CBA. .

"Our definition of ABC volunteer is the same as the current definition of volunteer and prohibits anyone from threatening players to participate in volunteer training sessions," said Winston, via Pro Football Talk. "This is precisely why players have negotiated strict work rules and clear boundaries for post-season activities, and we know from experience that not all coaches and leaders will not respect them and we always pursue any violation to protect our rules. "

If the NFL decides to investigate and believes that Coughlin has broken the rules, the Jaguars could eventually be fined or even lost their choice, which are two penalties that have recently been inflicted on other teams for breaking the rules. ABC. The NFL has also punished teams for losing future off-season training sessions.

While Coughlin is upset that Ramsey and Smith did not show up this week, Jags head coach Doug Marrone has definitely received the memo that players are not required to attend.

"It's a voluntary period, it's an option," Marrone said Tuesday, via the team's official website. "I do not try to worry about things that are out of my control – I'm sure they both work hard."

if the league decided to investigate Coughlin, it would not be the first time. In his first season as a Giants coach in 2004, Coughlin was the subject of an investigation for potential violations of the NFL's training rules during the offseason.