Bears GM Phil Emery on Thursday reiterated the team's "long-standing preference not to be the focus of the HBO training camp series 'Hard Knocks,' but he acknowledged that decision is not his," according to Rich Campbell of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Emery said, "We have great media. We have fan interest unlike any other city. This is the best NFL city in the league, bar none. Our media is the best in the league, bar none. Our coverage is outstanding." He added of "Hard Knocks," "There will probably be other places that could benefit from it other than the Chicago Bears." Emery: "Ultimately, it's the commissioner's decision and whatever the commissioner decides we will abide by" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 5/1). Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said of the show, "I think it's a total distraction to what you're trying to accomplish because everything about 'Hard Knocks' is getting on television and being an individual. And it's a team game." But in Phoenix, Kent Somers writes, "No team would be more fun than the Cardinals this summer." That starts with Arians, who is "entertaining and quotable, adjectives rarely used to describe NFL coaches." But Arians said that if "Hard Knocks" was around, "Arians wouldn't be Arians." He said, "I would have to change totally how I coach. It would not be acceptable to a lot of people, and I've been down the road with some people." Arians also "doesn't like that private conversations with players, assistant coaches and management are made public on the show" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/2).
