The National Football League loves college football because, as the lawyers for wannabe draft-crasher Maurice Clarett once alleged, the NCAA provides a free farm system to the NFL.

As part of that reality, the league relies on access to information and practice, so that scouts can determine which of the college players will have the best shot at succeeding in pro ball.  This prompts NFL teams to generally smooch the rear ends of college coaches, happily adhering to, for example, Ralph Friedgen’s demand that scouts show up with donuts and bagels.  (It’s unclear whether Ralph shares them with any of the members of his Maryland staff.  Wait.  We’ve seen pictures of Ralph.  It’s not unclear at all.)

When it comes to the availability of rookies of offseason workouts, however, the league has gone too far.  Per a rule that was fashioned long before offseason practices took on the importance they now possess, first-year players may attend only one minicamp before the conclusion of their schools’ academic year.

Typically, the rule is mentioned in conjunction with players from Ohio State, which extends classes and exams into June.  For the Jets, linebacker-defensive end Vernon Gholston, a former Buckeye and the No. 6 overall pick, will have his availability limited.

Ditto for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who attended Delaware — a school that concludes exams on May 30.  Even though Flacco is no longer enrolled in school, the rule still applies.

The goal, presumably, is to create one less reason for players who are entering the NFL to leave school early.  But with most draft-eligible players ditching school in December to spend their days and nights getting ready for pre-draft workouts, not many of them stick around, anyway.

So this rule needs to go.  Maybe if the NFL sends enough donuts and bagels to College Park, Coach Friedgen will see what he can do.