HBO's "Hard Knocks" has become a training camp staple for so many. Putting an NFL team under the microscope of television cameras during the formative weeks of summer training rarely thrills the coaches but the fans love it. So, it isn't going anywhere. Where there's fans there's money. Where there's money there's the NFL. It's being reported that three teams are finalists for the 2015 edition of "Hard Knocks."
Washington Redskins
Buffalo Bills
Houston Texans
The Redskins have already said that they don't want any part of it. The Bills have basically said the same thing. The Bills have the added "out" in that they have a new coaching staff this year. Teams with new head coaches are exempt from being "forced" to allow cameras into their training camp lives. Rex Ryan is the new coach in Buffalo and he's been a "Hard Knocks" star. Perhaps it's biggest star. Ryan and a promising team with just about everything but a quarterback would be a hit. It doesn't look like they will be this year. NFL Films produces the show and quite understandably prefers working with a team that's completely on board with all that the show involves. Whether by default or not, it looks like the Houston Texans will be in the spotlight this summer.
Texans coach Bill O'Brien might not be the spontaneous riot that is Rex Ryan but very few are. O'Brien is a terrific football coach and that alone is entertaining. Or, at least interesting. The show will likely focus on the Texans quarterback competition. Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer, and Tom Savage will compete and any one of them could come out on top. The Texans top star is one of the premier football players in the NFL. Defensive end J.J. Watt. Running back Arian Foster is one of the most interesting players in the league. The rookies are often the stars of "Hard Knocks" and the Texans had a very good draft. Cornerback Kevin Johnson. linebacker Benardrick McKinney, receiver Jaelen, defensive linemen Lynden Trail and Christian Covington, safety Kurtis Drummond, and the rest. Any could be household names before the NFL season even starts simply because of their sparkling personalities. Who knows what will happen? That's one of the things that makes "Hard Knocks" entertaining.
A lot of people bellyache when the team selected for "Hard Knocks" isn't one of the headlining teams of the NFL. The fact that we don't know much about some teams is the perfect reason to select those teams. There's no better way to get to know them than being invited into their training camp. I really think that any of the 32 teams would be a perfect choice. Every team has it's characters. Every team has it's stories. Thanks to the incredible work of NFL Films we are introduced to them.
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