Ever since HBO premiered Hard Knocks, the behind the scenes look at NFL teams during training camps that’s done in conjunction with NFL Films, the intrigue each season is which team will be featured on the hit “reality show”.
Even though the New York Jets, the feature team in 2010, wanted the coveted spot again, but sources say that HBO has offered this season’s spot to the Atlanta Falcons. (There was no Hard Knocks in 2011 because of the NFL lock-out).
The Falcons???
After a 13-3 record and NFC South title in 2010, the Falcons went 10-6 in 2011 and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants 24-2 in the first round of the playoffs. The Falcons have Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White, three of the most exciting players according to some NFL analyst.
I still say the Falcons???
There are many other teams that have more exciting players, betters stats and a better win record than the Atlanta Falcons. Is this the same team that has been to the play-offs three times in the last three years and still has not made it to the Super Bowl? Is this the same team whose QB is nicknamed ‘Matty Ice’ but melts under pressure? Is this the same team that put all of their stock in one player and that one player can’t stay healthy long enough to make any real contribution to the team?
The answer is “yes” to all of the above.
The other Hard Knocks rumor that has been going around is that they were thinking about profiling the Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, and their respective teams the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. Again another choice that’s much better than the Atlanta Falcons. The country fell in love with the 49ers last season during their incredible play-off run, and who doesn’t love Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.
I would have much rather watched the antics of foul-mouth coach Rex Ryan and the quarterback competition between March Sanchez and former Denver Golden Boy, Tim Tebow.
Personally I think that either scenario, the Harbaugh brothers or the Jets, make for better television.
Officially the name of the team won’t be announced until May, so maybe there’s time for HBO to reconsider.
Your J.G.F.,
Marcelle English
