Jim Harbaugh: NFL's read-option rules flawed, biased

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Jim Harbaugh didn't like Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews' "tough talk" about hitting read-option quarterbacks, so he contacted the NFL earlier this week.

The San Francisco 49ers coach said Friday he didn't care for the answers he got.

"I think it's flawed and a bit biased," Harbaugh said of the league's response to his concerns about quarterback hits.

Harbaugh then went on an approximately 5-minute monologue and discussion with reporters about the rule, which included him miming options for how QBs might have to show they don't have the ball.

"I'm not advocating that they don't hit the quarterback if he has the ball, but if he's in the pocket I believe there should be a strike zone." Harbaugh said. "Same strike zone that is given to the quarterback when he's in the pocket and throwing the ball. I feel like you give a license now to players to hit quarterbacks at the knee or in the head."

Harbaugh explained that he was concerned that defenders would hit quarterbacks in the knee or head with an excuse that they couldn't tell if the QB had the ball and could be considered a running back.

"By definition, a fake is a deception," Harbaugh said, continuing to voice his concern. "It is a deception, deceptive maneuver....Now are they opened up to being hit in the head and the knees, treated like a running back?...It seems like they would have more of an appetite to look at that, and they've said they don't have an appetite to look at it any further."

The strong ending suggests Harbaugh isn't going to let the issue fade away.

He did tell reporters his game plan wouldn't change or affect how he uses quarterback Colin Kaepernick. At the very least Harbaugh has ensured refs will be keeping a close eye on all the hits Kaepernick takes Sunday against the Packers.