Hard Knocks (TV series)

Hard Knocks is a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO.[1] The show was first broadcast in 2001, and the current 2020 season is the fifteenth. Each season, it follows a National Football League (NFL) team through its training camp and covers the team's preparation for the upcoming football season.

Hard Knocks
Genre	Sports Reality television Documentary series
Created by	Marty Callner
Developed by	HBO Sports NFL Films
Starring	Baltimore Ravens (2001) Dallas Cowboys (2002) Kansas City Chiefs (2007) Dallas Cowboys (2008) Cincinnati Bengals (2009) New York Jets (2010) Miami Dolphins (2012) Cincinnati Bengals (2013) Atlanta Falcons (2014) Houston Texans (2015) Los Angeles Rams (2016) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017) Cleveland Browns (2018) Oakland Raiders (2019) Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers (2020)
Narrated by	Liev Schreiber (2001–2002 & 2008–present) Paul Rudd (2007)
Composer	Dave Robidoux
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	15
No. of episodes	62 (6 in 2001 and 2002, 5 in each season from 2007 on)
Production
Executive producers	Steve Sabol Rick Bernstein Ross Greenburg Marty Callner
Producers	Ken Rodgers Keith Cossrow
Production location	Varies
Running time	~55 minutes (commercial-free)
Release
Original network	HBO
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Audio format	Stereo Dolby Digital 5.1
Original release	2001 – present
External links
Website

The series shows the personal and professional lives of the players, coaches and staff, including their family life, position battles, and even inside jokes and pranks. It particularly focuses on rookies' adjustments to playing in the NFL, usually with emphasis on the team's most recent top draft pick. It usually also chooses to focus on undrafted and journeyman players who are attempting to make the team.

The NFL and HBO have called Hard Knocks "the first sports-based reality series" in television history.[2][3]

Production

The series was created by Marty Callner in 2001.

The series has been narrated by Liev Schreiber since 2001, with the only exception being the 2007 season which was narrated by Paul Rudd, a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.[4]

The San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Washington Redskins each declined to be the show's featured team for the 2013 season, while the Cincinnati Bengals accepted, marking their second appearance on the show. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell subsequently said that he wanted more teams to be featured on the series, on "some kind of formal rotation."[5][6]

Despite the difficulty each year in finding a team willing to participate, NFL Films announced on July 18, 2013, that it had signed a "multiyear" contract extension with HBO to continue producing the show.[7]

In October 2013 the NFL announced that, in the absence of a team volunteering to participate in Hard Knocks, the league could force a team to participate. Teams are exempt from being forced to participate in three circumstances: (1) they have appeared in the past ten years, (2) they have a first-year head coach, or (3) they reached the playoffs in either of the two preceding seasons.[8]

Seasons

Hard Knocks narrator Liev Schreiber

Baltimore Ravens (2001)

Some of the issues covered in the 2001 Ravens season include:

• The team looking to repeat as Super Bowl winners.
• Rookies Todd Heap and Dwayne Missouri's adjustment to professional football.
• The team's adjustment after a season-ending injury to Jamal Lewis.
• The veterans on the team in the final years of their careers (Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson, Qadry Ismail, and Tony Siragusa).
• The quarterback competition between Elvis Grbac and Randall Cunningham.
• Ozzie Newsome and Brian Billick's management of the team.

Dallas Cowboys (2002)

Some of the issues covered in the 2002 Cowboys season include:

• Quincy Carter's pressure to stay the consistent starting quarterback and the acquisition of Chad Hutchinson as a backup quarterback.
• Rookie Roy Williams's adjustment to professional football.
• Emmitt Smith beginning his final season in Dallas, and his pursuit to become the NFL's all-time rushing yards leader.
• Dave Campo heading into his third (and eventually, final) season as Dallas's head coach.
• The training of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Kansas City Chiefs (2007)

Actor and Chiefs fan Paul Rudd narrated the 2007 season of Hard Knocks

The series returned on August 8, 2007, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and their preparations for the 2007 season.[9] It is the only season of the series not narrated by Liev Schreiber. Instead, actor and Chiefs fan Paul Rudd was the narrator.[10]

Some of the issues covered in the 2007 Chiefs season include:

• The battle for the starting quarterback job between veteran Damon Huard and second-year player Brodie Croyle following the trade of Trent Green.
• Star running back Larry Johnson's contract holdout.
• Priest Holmes's attempted return to football after missing all of 2006 after a career-threatening neck injury.
• The contract holdout and later development of rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs' first-round draft pick of 2007.
• Boomer Grigsby's switch from linebacker to fullback.
• The development of rookie defensive linemen Tank Tyler and Turk McBride.
• The competition between two undrafted cornerbacks - Tyron Brackenridge and Dimitri Patterson.
• Arena Football League star Bobby Sippio's attempt to catch on with an outdoor team.

Dallas Cowboys (2008)

The Dallas Cowboys were chronicled for the second time on the television series' fourth season, which premiered on August 6, 2008.

Some of the issues covered in the 2008 Cowboys season include:

• Cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones' reinstatement into the NFL.
• Cameron Fegreus (free agent from Woodhaven, Michigan) attempting to make the team.
• Keon Lattimore, a younger brother of Ray Lewis, competing for a job.
• Todd Lowber, a very athletic wide receiver new to the game of football, trying to make the team.
• Undersized wide receiver Danny Amendola competing for a job.
• Rookies Felix Jones and Martellus Bennett adjusting to NFL camp for the first time.

Cincinnati Bengals (2009)

The Cincinnati Bengals season premiered on August 12, 2009.[11] Its ratings were higher than any previous season of Hard Knocks,[12] and it won two Sports Emmy Awards: one for Outstanding Edited Sports Series or Anthology, and one for Outstanding Post Produced Audio / Sound.[13]

Some of the issues covered in the 2009 Bengals season include:

• The battle for the starting fullback position between Jeremi Johnson, Chris Pressley, Fui Vakapuna, and J.D. Runnels.
• The injuries of tight ends Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht, and the adjustment of rookie tight end Chase Coffman to the NFL.[14][15]
• The contract holdout of offensive tackle Andre Smith, the Bengals' first-round draft pick of 2009.
• The battle for the starting strong safety position between veteran Roy Williams and Chinedum Ndukwe.
• The recovery effort of starting quarterback Carson Palmer from an injury-plagued 2008 season.
• The antics and catchphrases of wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (who is now Chad Johnson).
• The development and maturation of wide receiver Chris Henry.

New York Jets (2010)

The New York Jets were chronicled in the series' sixth season. An official announcement was made on March 25, 2010,[16] and HBO began airing it on August 11, 2010. It won the series' second consecutive Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Edited Sports Series or Anthology.[17] The Jets declined another opportunity to appear in the series in 2011.[18]

Some of the issues covered in the 2010 Jets season include:

• The vocal coaching style of head coach Rex Ryan, highlighted by several sound bites that became popular after the season, such as "That's being a jackass!" and "Let's go eat a goddamn snack!"[15][19]
• Cornerback Darrelle Revis's contract holdout.[15][20]
• The battle for the starting fullback position between veteran Tony Richardson, journeyman Jason Davis and rookie John Conner.
• Second-year starting quarterback Mark Sanchez's development as the "face" of the franchise.
• Kris Jenkins's return after ACL surgery.
• Running back Danny Woodhead's attempt to make the team.
• Cornerback Antonio Cromartie attempting (and failing) to name all 9 of his children.[15][21]

Hard Knocks: A Decade of NFL Training Camps (2011)

At the end of July 2011, NFL Films announced it would not be producing Hard Knocks for the 2011 season.[22] No team wanted to commit to the series due to uncertainty with the NFL's labor situation. A retrospective on the series titled Hard Knocks: A Decade of NFL Training Camps was made featuring clips from every episode made to that point, and including comments looking back on the series from Brian Billick, Shannon Sharpe, Mike Westhoff, and others.

Miami Dolphins (2012)

On May 29, 2012, Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin announced that the team would participate in the 2012 season of Hard Knocks.[23]

Some of the issues covered in the 2012 Dolphins season include:

• The contract negotiation of Ryan Tannehill, followed by his development as a rookie quarterback in the NFL.
• The quarterback position battle between Matt Moore, David Garrard and Ryan Tannehill, with Tannehill winning the starting job after week 2 of the pre-season.[24]
• The health issues of David Garrard, especially after undergoing knee surgery during training camp.[25] He was released from the team the same day this season's final episode aired.[26]
• The difficulty of Les Brown in adjusting from former college basketball player to NFL tight end, and his subsequent release from the team.
• The meeting in which Philbin informs Chad Johnson (formerly Chad Ochocinco) of his release from the team following his arrest for allegedly headbutting his wife of 41 days.[15][27][28]
• The meeting in which general manager Jeff Ireland informs cornerback Vontae Davis that he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for two future draft picks.[15][29][30]

Cincinnati Bengals (2013)

The Cincinnati Bengals were featured in the 2013 season, which was the team's second appearance on the show. The first episode of the season premiered on August 6, 2013.[31]

Some of the issues covered in the 2013 Bengals season include:

Hard Knocks filming crew with Jermaine Gresham, 2013

• Rookie defensive lineman Larry Black's season-ending injury
• Linebacker James Harrison's dislike of the camera crew at training camp
• The back-up quarterback position battle between Josh Johnson and John Skelton
• Estonian rookie defensive end Margus Hunt's adjustment to the NFL and life in the U.S.
• The fullback position battle between veteran John Conner and converted tight end Orson Charles
• The linebacker position battle between undrafted rookies Jayson DiManche and Bruce Taylor.
• Linebacker Aaron Maybin's struggle to stay on the team and his pursuit of painting.

Atlanta Falcons (2014)

Hard Knocks film crew at Atlanta Falcons training camp, 2014

On June 12, 2014, the Atlanta Falcons announced that the team would participate in the 2014 season of Hard Knocks premiering on August 5, 2014.[32]

Some of the issues covered in the 2014 Falcons season include:

• The Falcons attempt to build more toughness into the team after a disappointing 2013 season.
• Veteran Kroy Biermann's attempt to return from a major injury and switch positions.
• Rookies Tyler Starr and Jacques Smith's attempt to make the team.[33]

Houston Texans (2015)

On May 27, 2015, it was announced the Houston Texans would be the team featured for the 2015 season premiering on August 11, 2015.[34][35]

Some of the issues covered in the 2015 Texans season include:

• Head coach Bill O'Brien trying to lead the team to the playoffs after finishing just short in 2014.
• The quarterback battle between Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer.
• Vince Wilfork bringing leadership and experience to Houston.
• J.J. Watt working out to Fort Minor's Remember The Name
• Jadeveon Clowney returning from a torn meniscus.
• Reigning Defensive Player of the Year J. J. Watt trying to become an even better player.
• Rookies Kevin Johnson and Jaelen Strong adjusting to life in the NFL.
• David Quessenberry recovering from cancer.
• Charles James, Kourtnei Brown, and Uzoma Nwachukwu try to make the team.

Los Angeles Rams (2016)

On March 23, 2016, it was announced the Los Angeles Rams would be the team featured for the 2016 season premiering on August 9, 2016.[36]

Some of the issues covered in the 2016 Rams season include:

• The team moving back to Los Angeles after spending 21 years in St. Louis
• Head coach Jeff Fisher releasing the previous season's starting quarterback Nick Foles over the telephone
• First overall draft pick Jared Goff's first experiences in the NFL
• Eric Kush fighting for a spot on the roster
• William Hayes' unconventional beliefs about the existence of mermaids and dinosaurs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017)

On April 19, 2017, it was announced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be the team featured for the 2017 season premiering on August 8, 2017.[37]

Cleveland Browns (2018)

On May 17, 2018, it was announced the Cleveland Browns would be the team featured for the 2018 season premiering on August 7, 2018.

Some of the issues covered in the 2018 Browns season include:

• First overall draft pick Baker Mayfield adjusting to life in the NFL.
• Josh Gordon returning to training camp for the first start since his second substance abuse policy violation in 2014.
• Hue Jackson trying to retain his position as head coach and win games after just one victory over the last two seasons.
• Jarvis Landry assuming responsibility as a leader on the team.
• Corey Coleman's dissatisfaction with his role on offense and subsequent trade to the Buffalo Bills
• Rookie Antonio Callaway being unable to avoid run-ins with the law.
• Journeymen Devon Cajuste and Nate Orchard trying to make the team.
• Carl Nassib's finance lessons.

Oakland Raiders (2019)

On June 11, 2019, it was announced the Oakland Raiders would be the team featured for the 2019 season premiering on August 6, 2019.[38]

Some of the issues covered in the 2019 Raiders season include:

• With the construction of Allegiant Stadium and in a usable state by 2020, this will be the 25th and final season in the team's second tenure in Oakland.
• Antonio Brown's recovery from frostbitten feet and his arbitration with the NFL regarding a grievance with the league's new helmet rules.[39]
• The return of Richie Incognito.[40]
• The backup quarterback competition between Mike Glennon and Nathan Peterman.

Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers (2020)

On April 7, 2020, it was announced that the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers have both volunteered to be featured for the 2020 season.[41] This is the first time two teams are featured as both teams are set to play their inaugural seasons at the new SoFi Stadium. Before the Rams and Chargers volunteered, the Pittsburgh Steelers were heavy favorites to appear due to the team's national appeal and rare position to be "forced" onto the series;[42][43][44] the Steelers themselves have long opposed to appearing on the series.[45]

On June 18, 2020, it was announced that the 2020 season will premiere on August 11, 2020.[46] The format of the episodes will likely be different, due to the NFL's cancellation of preseason games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar productions

Inside Training Camp: Jaguars Summer

In 2004, NFL Films produced a training camp documentary series, similar to Hard Knocks, that featured the Jacksonville Jaguars. Called Inside Training Camp: Jaguars Summer,[47] it aired on the NFL Network, not HBO, and was narrated by frequent NFL Films narrator Robb Webb.[48]

Some of the issues covered in this 2004 series include:

• Jack Del Rio's second season as a head coach
• The development of rookie wide receiver Reggie Williams, the Jaguars' first-round draft pick of 2004
• The relationship between rookie placekicker Josh Scobee and legendary special teams coach Pete Rodriguez

References

1. "Conflicting Reports on New York Giants Being Finalist for HBO's Hard Knocks". Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
2. "HBO Sports, NFL Films and Miami Dolphins join forces for "Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The Miami Dolphins" debuting August 7 - NFL Communications". Archived from the original on 2013-02-08. Retrieved 2012-09-27.
3. "Hard Knocks - HBO Sports Goes Inside the NFL".
4. Gallagher, Jason (August 5, 2014). "Guts, Glory and Goddamn Snacks: A History of 'Hard Knocks'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
5. Hanzus, Dan (June 26, 2013). "Roger Goodell talks 'formal rotation' for 'Hard Knocks'". National Football League. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
6. Hobson, Geoff (June 21, 2013). "Goodell brings safety message to town". Cincinnati Bengals. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
7. Rosenthal, Gregg (July 18, 2013). "NFL Films, HBO sign multiyear Hard Knocks extension". National Football League. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
8. Wesseling, Chris (October 8, 2013). "Owners pass 'Hard Knocks' rule at NFL Fall Meeting". National Football League. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
9. Chiefs to be featured in HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer Archived 2012-06-01 at the Wayback Machine KCChiefs.com, June 2, 2007.
10. "Entertainment". 10 September 2014.
11. "Bengals home on HBO". Archived from the original on 2009-05-17. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
12. Sabol: Best "Hard Knocks" Ever Archived 2009-09-12 at the Wayback Machine by Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com, September 9, 2009.
13. "Hard Knocks earns two Emmys". Archived from the original on 2014-07-25. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
14. "Hard Knocks: Reggie Kelly's injury".
15. "'Hard Knocks' revisited: Best of NFL's summer drama".
16. "Jets Sign On to Star in HBO's 'Hard Knocks'". Archived from the original on 2012-08-26. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
17. "The Emmy Awards - THE NATIONAL TELEVISION ACADEMY ANNONCES THE WINNER FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS". Archived from the original on 2012-07-05.
18. "Bigger Threat to the New England Patriots in the AFC East: New York Jets or Buffalo Bills?". 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
19. "Hard Knocks: Let's go eat a snack".
20. "Hard Knocks: The Darrelle Revis meeting".
21. "Hard Knocks: Antonio Cromartie's kids".
22. "Lockout reality: No 'Hard Knocks' this summer".
23. "Miami Dolphins will be on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'".
24. "Ryan Tannehill named Dolphins' starting quarterback".
25. "David Garrard's absence clears up Dolphins' QB race".
26. "David Garrard released by Miami Dolphins".
27. Farrar, Doug (August 15, 2012). "Chad Johnson's Dolphins release makes for tough, emotional "Hard Knocks"". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
28. "Hard Knocks: Chad Johnson gets released".
29. "Dolphins trade Vontae Davis to Colts for draft picks".
30. "Hard Knocks: Vontae Davis traded to Colts".
31. "Cincinnati Bengals again will headline Hard Knocks". NFL.com. June 17, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
32. "Atlanta Falcons to be featured on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'". NFL.com. June 12, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
33. "Welcome backgrinder.com - BlueHost.com". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-07.
34. "Texans will star in 10th season of HBO's 'Hard Knocks'". NFL. May 27, 2015.
35. "Houston Texans Will Be Featured on Hard Knocks: Details, Reaction". Bleacher Report. May 27, 2015.
36. "Los Angeles Rams will be featured on 'Hard Knocks'". NFL. March 23, 2016.
37. "Buccaneers to appear on the 2017 season of 'Hard Knocks'". April 19, 2017.
38. "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Oakland Raiders". June 11, 2019.
39. Kasabian, Paul. "HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2019: Best Raiders Storylines, Moments, Reaction for Episode 2". Bleacher Report.
40. Kasabian, Paul. "HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2019: Best Raiders Storylines, Moments, Reaction for Episode 2". Bleacher Report.
41. "Rams, Chargers set for 'Hard Knocks'". April 7, 2020.
42. https://www.nfl.com/news/hard-knocks-team-in-2020-steelers-juiciest-eligible-candidate-0ap3000001102360
43. https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/steelers-favorite-host-hbo-hard-knocks
44. https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/02/19/nfl-steelers-hbo-hard-knocks/
45. https://sportsnaut.com/2020/01/steelers-owner-not-interested-in-being-featured-hard-knocks-team-this-summer/
46. ""Hard Knocks: Los Angeles" Debuts August 11". The Futon Critic. June 18, 2020.
47. Jacksonville Jaguars 2004 Season Preview Archived 2013-05-13 at the Wayback Machine by Mike Cowan, September 4, 2004.
48. "NFL Canada > NFL Network: On-air talent". Retrieved August 29, 2012. Inside Training Camp: Jaguars Summer > Rob [sic] Webb: Narrator

External links

• Official website
• Hard Knocks at TV.com
• Hard Knocks at IMDb