Thoughts On “Hard Knocks”
April 19th, 2017
What to expect.
So unless the Bucs want to shock the world this afternoon when they hold what the team has trumpeted as a “major” news conference, it is expected Tampa Bay will be unveiled as the team featured on this summer’s edition of “Hard Knocks.”
The NFL Films-produced reality series that appears each summer on HBO and the Bucs are among the handful of teams eligible.
The press conference is to be held in the One Buc Palace auditorium, where only major news events are discussed. The only other thing Joe could speculate this news conference could be about is the newest addition to the Ring of Honor, but the team rarely shrouds that subject in mystery, only the prospective inductee.
(Joe cannot get anyone on record to confirm this is the “Hard Knocks” announcement. More importantly, Joe can’t get anyone to say off the record that it is not.)
This will be the coming out party for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Folks will finally see what others already have seen. The guy is high on football life, and just as he did Monday, Jameis’ energy, personality and charisma should light up city blocks.
For the few who have never seen “Hard Knocks,” if you are expecting a lot of X’s and O’s, you will be very disappointed. This series is geared towards the casual fan or the non-football fan, and of course, NFL diehards who by the time August rolls around, are so starved for football they would pay to watch chimpanzees play.
Sure, there is football involved in the series (how could it not be?) but the series is much, much more about personalities and stories and drama that can persuade the general public to put the clicker down and watch.
Aside from Jameis and without knowing the Bucs’ draft picks, Joe is going to guess HBO/NFL Films will highlight the following subjects through the series:
* Ali Marpet. The fact he came from Hobart College and his diverse if not unique family background.
* DeSean Jackson. How the high-priced, high-profile newcomer settles in with a new team.
* Brent and Miko Grimes. Provided Miko signs off, this would be fascinating. HBO/Hard Knocks often likes to focus on a player’s private life away from the field. Miko could rival Andrew Dice Clay for spicing things up.
* There are always rookies HBO/Hard Knocks focuses on and follows, especially the bubble players. Of course, we will find out who some of these potential rookies may be at the end of next week.
* The drama between kickers Nick Folk and Roberto Aguayo is made for reality TV. This is a no-brainer.
* The relationship between Kwon Alexander and defensive coordinator Mike Smith. As we all know by now, the two are tight and have daily, early-morning sitdowns.
One area Joe very much doubts HBO/Hard Knocks highlights is the Doug Martin situation. The subject is ripe to be flushed out, but Joe is going to guess the Bucs will steer HBO producers away from Martin.
For the first time ever, Joe is actually excited for a fun training camp.
April 19th, 2017 at 9:36 am
Entertainment value does not outweigh risk of distraction.
Make Mixon a Buc
April 19th, 2017 at 9:40 am
The last time Koetter and Mike Smith were on Hard Knocks they went 6-10 then Mike Smith got fired.
To add insult to injury Smith’s message at camp was “Toughness” then as the season progressed they got their a$$e$ handed to them regularly.
But he didn’t have the messiah so there’s that,,,
April 19th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Who’s never seen hard knocks? And you call yourself a football fan? Smh.
April 19th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Christian McCaffrey can play “Piano Man” on the harmonica. Made for TV. Go get him.
April 19th, 2017 at 9:48 am
Surprise signing of Adrian Peterson.
April 19th, 2017 at 9:52 am
will this be broadcast on NFL network too?
April 19th, 2017 at 10:11 am
Dave now you know full well part of the Hard Knocks agreement #1 was DC will be apart of the program(ratings will soar). #2 mixon is to be totally out the equation. Come out and play Dave.
April 19th, 2017 at 10:15 am
Miko
No just hbo.
April 19th, 2017 at 10:15 am
DallassBuc is a loser
April 19th, 2017 at 10:28 am
To MIKO and fellow Bucs Fans:
I’m a Hard Knocks junky and finding previously aired episodes is super easy. You can find it on YouTube 24 hours after initial broadcast. Also, another option is to sign up for HBO GO right when Hard Knocks starts. You get a 30 day free trial and you can just cancel once the series is finished.
April 19th, 2017 at 10:30 am
LOL!!!
April 19th, 2017 at 10:38 am
If Brent and Miko player their cards right they could come out of this with their own reality show. She’s got the perfect personality for one.
April 19th, 2017 at 11:30 am
I think it would be nice if HBO offered a 1 month free trial. 🙂
April 19th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Erik- are you a winner?
April 19th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I think people are going to think Jameis is acting with the cameras on him. The casual fan and the fans of other teams don’t understand Jameis has been this way since he got here. He is the optimists’ optimist, he is borderline corny at times but it doesn’t come off that way because he is genuine and that is really who he is.
He does everything right and the rest of the league and fans are about to realise this guy is the real deal. I couldn’t be happier for him and also Kwon and GMC who both are way better players than most fans know. Especially Kwon, he falls short of pro bowls and the under 25 team. That is a guy that will demand respect and think he’s gonna be a freaking star on hard knocks and be a household name this season with his play.
Couldn’t be more pumped, now let’s get this freaking draft underway!!!
April 19th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
******* PLOT TWIST *********
Jamie’s jumps on the cafeteria table and yells ……. FHRITP.
April 19th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
@DB55- CTFU!!! I’m close to getting kicked out of a meeting laughing so hard..
April 19th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Agree with all of Joe’s possible point of interest and his belief the team (and the league therefore HBO) will not want to dwell on drugs so Doug Martin is not likely to be featured.
Another implication from this appearance is that any chance that Mixon was going to get drafted by the Bucs is now out the window. Not debating whether it’s right or wrong…fair or not….simply stating the obvious….the NFL will not want to have one of the stars of the series…and any RB who gets drafted by the Bucs will immediately get a double dose of stardom…the team’s need at RB and the new kid as one of the rookie stories. Don’t think they want to do a “human interest” story on the new Buc RB with that video. Again not saying it’s fair or not…it is what it is.
April 19th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Philly
My bad! 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣☺️🤣
April 19th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
This will be great for the Tampa bay area finally the Buccaneers will get the respect we deserve. Did you guys know kwon Alexander led the nfl in solo taclkes, make america brate again led in td’s of all Te’s, Mike evans 4th best reciver in the league and we got no love but now its our time to shine we wont choke or give games away like our rivals the chocking dirty birds lol
April 19th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Dang auto spell lol
April 19th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
HBO’s hard knocks is made for Jaboo. He is so full of positive energy and passion for the Bucs and the game. I wish he were a little more accurate with his passes but otherwise I love everything about him. So glad he is our QB. I think the accuracy will improve. It will also be interesting to see who we draft to add to our team and see them featured on HBO.
April 19th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
DB, I’m not a scared miserable pessimist, so I’d say I win.
April 19th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
I dont know how anyone can claim Hard Knocks is to much of a distraction while suggesting we should draft Mixon. To funny.
April 19th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Dallas, you are aware you said you don’t want the risk of a distraction and then immediately said to draft Mixon, aren’t you?.
That’s got to be one of the most comical things I’ve read in a long time
April 19th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Good God Man, Do Not Let Miko Near any Cameras.
April 20th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Just look at the history of Hard Knocks. The Majority of the teams featured on the programs follow thru wth..LOSING SEASONS!