NFL Makes "Hard Knocks" Appearances Mandatory for Teams (with exceptions)

[CrimsonGhost56]

The NFL wants to spread "Hard Knocks" around.

At their fall meetings Tuesday, owners approved a measure that allows the league to choose which team will be the focus of the documentary-style show if no club volunteers.

Certain teams would be exempt from being forced to participate:

• Those with new coaches

• Those that reached the playoffs in one of the previous two seasons

• Those that appeared on "Hard Knocks" within the preceding 10 years

So far, only seven of the league's 32 teams have been on the series, which airs on HBO: the Dallas Cowboys (twice), Cincinnati Bengals (twice), New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs.

Based on the exemptions laid out, the following five teams could have been required to participate this season: Carolina Panthers, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9791975/owners-ok-nfl-pick-hard-knocks-team

[Houston]

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians nevertheless insists his team won’t comply, if it ever comes to that.

“I think it’s a total distraction, and I think it’s an embarrassment to players,” Arians told Bill Polian and Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I think when players are released, some of the things that are said between coaches and players are too personal, and nobody else’s business.”
Asked if he’d fight an involuntary Hard Knocks assignment “tooth and nail,” Arians didn’t hesitate.

“All the way,” Arians said. “All the way.”

We agree with Arians’ point. At a time when the league has suggested that it would like to find a more “humane” way of ending employment, the easiest tactic would be, you know, to not film the interaction and play it on national TV.
Still, Arians will lose, if push ever comes to shove. The requisite number of NFL owners have agreed to the new rule.

And if/when a team tries to fight the Hard Knocks assignment, the show may become even more compelling. Indeed, one of the most memorable moments of a largely forgettable 2013 edition of the series came when linebacker James Harrison was doing all he could to avoid the cameras and microphones. Five episodes of the coaches and the players doing that would be a lot better than a kick-ass Oklahoma drill scene surrounded by several hours of filler.

I like Bruce Arian's respond, but someone should tell him to relax because no one want to see the Cardinals anyway

[CrimsonGhost56]

Giants, Steelers, and Bears (if they miss the playoffs) would be the top 3 HBO would want IMO

[EmpireWF]

Giants, Steelers, and Bears (if they miss the playoffs) would be the top 3 HBO would want IMO

Coughlin on HBO -- cursing one minute, chilling with his grandkids the next.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I go out of my way to watch guys get cut. I find that fascinating. Otherwise, Hard Knocks is incredibly boring.

I have zero recollection of the Jaguars season.

[Houston]

It's definitely rich people problems but I still think it's pretty lame that teams would be forced to do this. Makes Hard Knocks seem incredibly creepy and desperate. Would love to see their crew walking around setting up cameras in a organization that didn't want them there.

[krulmichael]

Coughlin on HBO -- cursing one minute, chilling with his grandkids the next.

At this rate, he won't make it through this season, which would make the Giants exempt.

Sent from the awesome LG G2 in all its 5.2 inch glory via Tapatalk 4.

[MvP]

I think Ted Thompson would pull a Brian McCann on the HBO camera crew if they ever tried to step foot in Lambeau.

[Maynard]

i dont mind seeing any team - i love the show

[Villain]

That Ravens season was the best.

[Raidersabc123]

I always wanted to see my raiders on there

[ram29jackson]

LOL so they are saying if your team sucks, you are in the front of the line to get filmed. This is so stupid.

...I do worry about the directions NFL films will go without the Sabol's involved anymore ?

[Juggernaut]

I liked it, wouldn't mind if the Jets were on it again but I like seeing new teams as well.

[CrimsonGhost56]

The NFL can force these teams to appear on Hard Knocks in 2014:

Bears
Bills
Cardinals
Giants
Jaguars
Raiders
Rams
Steelers

The remaining 24 teams can still be on the show but can not be forced to appear on it

Bengals (playoffs/previous appearance)
Broncos (playoffs)
Browns (coach)
Buccaneers (coach)
Chargers (playoffs)
Chiefs (playoffs/previous appearance)
Colts (playoffs)
Cowboys (previous appearance)
Dolphins (previous appearance)
Eagles (playoffs)
Falcons (playoffs)
49ers (playoffs)
Jets (previous appearance)
Lions (coach)
Packers (playoffs)
Panthers (playoffs)
Patriots (playoffs)
Ravens (playoffs)
Redskins (playoffs/coach)
Saints (playoffs)
Seahawks (playoffs)
Texans (playoffs/coach)
Titans (coach)
Vikings (playoffs/coach)