With the Dolphins' decision to be on HBO's "Hard Knocks," everyone now is "trying to get a piece of the team and its players," according to Ben Volin of the PALM BEACH POST. Dolphins G Richie Incognito said, "Everybody wants their product on TV. I guess that just comes with the territory." Several players and agents said that they are "fielding requests both from companies seeking to place their products on the 'Hard Knocks' broadcasts to family and friends wanting shout-outs." Volin noted NFL rules "allow the Dolphins to place one advertisement patch on the left chest of their practice jerseys, no bigger than 3 1/2 inches high and 4 1/2 inches wide." The Dolphins have "placed advertisements on those jerseys in the past, and a team spokesman said they are considering it again for 'Hard Knocks.'" Players have "little flexibility in their practice uniforms," but they can "try to work in a little subtle product placement on the show -- 'coincidentally' wearing hats or T-shirts during team meetings, or making products visible in their lockers" (PALM BEACH POST, 6/17). Meanwhile Dolphins TE Anthony Fasano said of learining the team would be featured on the show, "I wasn't too thrilled to tell you the truth. I think we were informed at a team meeting, and there were a lot of groans when it was announced. But we're going to have to deal with it and try not to let it be a distraction" (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/16).
MUCH NEEDED DISTRACTION? NFL Network's Warren Sapp said the Dolphins on “Hard Knocks” will be “fun, fun and more fun.” Sapp: “I get tired hitting the same guy over and over again. Those cameras would actually give me some distraction to where I’d go over there and see if I could get something going, just break the monotony of it.” The net's Andrew Siciliano said, “Shocker (Sapp would) play to the camera.” NFL Network’s Heath Evans said of the Dolphins, “When you’re in the AFC East, you’re chasing the smartest, most hard-working coach in all of football. Why are you going to bring in a distraction?” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 6/15).
