The Falcons have been "offered the starring role in this season's version" of HBO's "Hard Knocks," according to sources cited by Rich Cimini of ESPN N.Y. HBO typically "doesn't announce the team until May" (ESPNNY.com, 4/11). In Atlanta, D. Orlando Ledbetter noted the team "would not comment, but acknowledged that they are considering the offer." The Falcons will "have to determine if they are pleased with the development and maturation of their team in order to accept any offer" (AJC.com, 4/11). FOXSPORTS.com's Adam Schein cited NFL sources as saying that Jets Owner Woody Johnson "wants his team back on the HBO hit show and has communicated that to the network." But Jets coach Rex Ryan "is against the project" after the team was on the '10 edition. Sources said that Ryan "does not want any more of a circus type atmosphere around the Jets after last season's bickering and collapse and this offseason's trade for Tim Tebow." Before reaching out to the Jets, HBO "wanted Peyton Manning and the Broncos to be on 'Hard Knocks,' but were flat out denied." Meanwhile, the Jaguars have "told HBO they would love to do the show" (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/11). Jaguars Senior VP/Communications & Media Dan Edwards: "We did express interest, and at this point we don’t know what HBO’s plans are" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 4/11).
KNOCK IT OFF: L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke said Ryan is "finally realizing last time they were on it, a couple of years ago, ever since then they’ve been targeted, they seemed to be exposed." Plaschke: "Now Tebow there is going to make it even more of a circus. It’s going to be untenable there, he’s smart.” ESPN’s Michael Smith said, “I’ve been clamoring for the Jets to stop looking for headlines and attention, and just focus on football. I am so proud of Rex Ryan. ... HBO doesn’t need to be there watching every Tim Tebow incompletion” (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 4/11). ESPN’s Skip Bayless said, “I’m on Rex’s side. ... This indicates to me that if he did not want to do ‘Hard Knocks’ this time, then he finally wants to focus solely on winning a championship, not self-promoting Rex Ryan.” But the Miami Herald's Israel Gutierrez said, “To me, from a football perspective, I think Rex should want it. I think he should have every camera possible in that camp. ... He needs to show the world that all of that drama, all of that locker room bickering, everything that supposedly tore the Jets apart down the stretch last season has disappeared” (“First Take,” ESPN2, 4/12). YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Chase wrote, "We can see why Johnson is conflicted. He's listened to Rex's bluster for four years and he's being told that it's the wrong recipe?" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/11).
BAND OF BROTHERS: In Sacramento, Matt Barrows noted no one has "formally approached the 49ers about a 'Hard Knocks' based in Santa Clara, and frankly, it seems unlikely." 49ers GM Trent Baalke is "one of the most tight-lipped general managers in the league and [coach] Jim Harbaugh won't even divulge an ankle injury to a fourth-string cornerback." Having a camera crew "on hand 24-7 does not seem like their cup of tea" (SACBEE.com, 4/11). Meanwhile, Ravens Media Relations Dir Chad Steele, whose team is coached by John Harbaugh, said, "I am not aware of any request in regards to 'Hard Knocks.' That decision would be made at the ownership level" (Baltimore SUN, 4/12).
