This season's second episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" aired last night, and producers "returned to the tried-and-true 'Hard Knocks' formula of focusing on two or three rookies or players on the bubble," according to David Barron of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. In this case, those rookies Texans DB Charles James, LB Lynden Trail and WR Jaelen Strong. As for the veterans, it is "clear every episode will feature a conversation" between DE J.J. Watt and DT Vince Wilfork "on topics great and small." This week's topic "was food -- specifically, each player's favorite meal." Watt said, "I love breakfast" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/19). NFL.com's Dan Hanzus writes under the header, "Cushing A Compelling Bully." Texans LB Brian Cushing's memorable lines during the episode included, "I don't even go to Starbucks. ... I mean, I used to ... and then I realized I wasn't a chick." Cushing spent much of his screen time "acting like the antagonist in a 80s teen comedy." His ability to "taunt, tease and manhandle" RB Alfred Blue in a one-on-one blocking drill made him a "proper villain." But Cushing's "softer side" is seen later in the episode while at home with his family. Hanzus writes, "Don't muddle the narrative, 'Hard Knocks''" (NFL.com, 8/19).
TOP BILLING: CBSSPORTS.com's Will Brinson writes under the header, "Bill O'Brien Is Emerging As A Cranky Superstar On 'Hard Knocks.'" The Texans coach is becoming the "most interesting character" on the show, which is "pretty hilarious ... because there's a zero percent chance it's what he wants to happen." O'Brien is "an old-school football guy, born of the Bill Belichick/Patriots school of thinking." He is "embracing 'Hard Knocks' in a '(bleep) it, pretend the cameras aren't here and let's do football' kind of way." O'Brien has a "mix of severe and aloof that makes him come across in a serious-but-not-too-serious fashion" (CBSSPORTS.com, 8/19). The CHRONICLE's Barron notes O'Brien last night "had the unofficial lead" in the "closely watched cuss bucket" over Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/19).
