Jets Owner Woody Johnson said that there have been "informal talks about the Jets appearing on 'Hard Knocks,' the HBO series that goes behind the scenes for training camp access," according to Tom Rock of NEWSDAY. The Jets were featured on the show in '10, the last time it aired. Johnson yesterday said, "It's something we would take a look at with Mike (Tannenbaum), and the coach, and Bruce (Speight, the director of media relations), and I and others that we think would add value to that discussion, to see whether it is something we want to do." Johnson added that the Jets have "not received a formal invitation to participate in the show again." He said, "I thought it was tremendous value. The [fans] got to know the team a lot better. I've heard nothing but positives." Tannenbaum was asked two weeks ago about doing the show again, and he "seemed content to let the opportunity pass." He said, "We've done that. It was a good experience. I'm glad we did it. I'm looking forward to watching another team on it this year." However, Tannenbaum said in a statement last night, "When I made that comment, I never had an expectation that we'd be asked to do it again. Obviously, if we're asked, we'll sit down and talk about it" (NEWSDAY, 4/3). In N.Y., Brian Costello notes there "might be a split between the football and business sides of the Jets organization about whether to take part in the show again." While Johnson seems "amenable to opening his franchise up to the cameras again, general manager Mike Tannenbaum appears not to be" (N.Y. POST, 4/3). Johnson said, "All those concerns, the positives and negatives, we'd have to look at, sit around the table and say yay or nay. It's not a perfect science. But we'd use our best judgment at that point" (ESPNNY.com, 4/2). Jets TE Dustin Keller, who was a part of the '10 series, said, "We would be good for Hard Knocks, especially with Rex's personality, the Tebow trade -- I definitely see how we would be appealing. ... With everything that’s going on right now, there couldn’t be any more exposure. If it's something that could be good for the team, why not do it?" (NJ.com, 4/2).
SHOULD THEY OR SHOULDN'T THEY? In N.Y., Gary Myers writes the Jets would be "fools to let the 'Hard Knocks' cameras invade their training camp this summer after they imploded last season with a toxic and dysfunctional locker room." The Jets are "already a three-ring circus," and the cameras "make it four rings." They "don't need the cameras following every move in the Summer of Tebow." If Johnson "wants to do 'Hard Knocks,' then [coach Rex] Ryan and Tannenbaum need to talk him out of it" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/3). NFL.com's Dan Hanzus wrote, "Having a bunch of hi-def cameras and boom mics catching every exchange between Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow sounds like a lot of fun for us, the premium cable viewer, but is more publicity what the Jets need right now?" (NFL.com, 4/2). ESPN.com's James Walker listed three reasons why the Jets are "tailor-made for another go at the award-winning series." Walker wrote, "Who wouldn't want to watch how Tebow integrates himself with a new team in New York? ... This would be must-see, behind-the-scenes TV." In addition, the Jets are "used to having HBO around" after the '10 series. Meanwhile, the Jets will be a "story of a veteran team seeking redemption or a team starting their downfall," and "'Hard Knocks' can be at the ground level of New York's next chapter" (ESPN.com, 4/2).
THE TEBOW RADIO NETWORK? In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted Tebow appeared on ESPN Radio 1050 N.Y. on Friday and asked, "Was this the unofficial debut of a regular 1050 spot that will start next season for the Jets backup QB?" Raissman: "Don’t look for it to happen." NFL sources said that the Jets have "already decided to limit some of Tebow’s 'outside' endeavors, which would include doing a weekly radio spot" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/1).
