The Buccaneers are "bracing for" being chosen for HBO's "Hard Knocks," and if they are selected, they "plan to just embrace it," according to Rick Stroud of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. The Bucs "believe they are among the top candidates to be chosen." Bucs co-Chair Joel Glazer said, "Our players are at a point in their maturity that they would be able to handle it. They recognize what goes along with it. We'll always be supportive of the league. Nobody is rushing to the podium for that necessarily. But I do feel I have great confidence in this team." He added, "In this day and age, it's not like the old days, everybody has got their cameras out for everything." Glazer went on to say there is "no question" the program "would be good just for people in Tampa to get to know" the team and its players. Glazer: "There are positives and a national platform" (TAMPABAY.com, 4/8). CBSSPORTS.com's Ryan Wilson reported the NFL is "expected to make an announcement" sometime this week (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/8).
GOOD DECISION? NBCSN’s Rob Guerrera said of the Buccaneers expected to be picked for the show, "It's smart for the NFL to pick a team with a young quarterback who's actually interesting. The Colts are on that list, but Andrew Luck is boring. The Titans are on that list, but Marcus Mariota is boring. At least Jameis Winston is interesting.” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said, “They ruined ‘Hard Knocks’ when they had Rex Ryan. It's never been the same since then and until they get another Rex Ryan, it will never be that good again" ("PFT," NBCSN, 4/10).
