The NFL approached Bills reps during the owners meeting about whether they wanted to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks," having cameras "follow the team’s every move through training camp and the preseason, and they declined," according to a source cited by Vic Carucci of the BUFFALO NEWS. The Bills "have never participated in the series," but coach Rex Ryan being in his first season with the team "prevents the NFL from forcing them to participate" in the documentary series. The source said that the league "figured that Ryan might want to take part, because of the positive experience he had" as coach of the Jets when they were featured in '10. The source added that the decision to reject the opportunity "was made by team co-owners Terry and Kim Pegula" (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/25).
HERE'S JOHNNY! ESPN.com's Pat McManamon reported the Browns this week met with NFL Films and "let it be known they would not volunteer to be featured on 'Hard Knocks.'" The team is "aware the reality series filmed during training camp would bring increased scrutiny and attention" to QB Johnny Manziel. Because of the attention Manziel receives, the team "obviously is trying to be careful with him when he is back" from rehab. Browns coach Mike Pettine, who was on Ryan's staff in '10, said, "Being a part of 'Hard Knocks,' having been there, knowing they're going to look to cover the team's biggest current storylines, it's obvious that he would be a point of attention." Pettine "declined to talk about how he'd handle the situation if the Browns were forced" (ESPN.com, 3/24). YAHOO SPORTS' Eric Adelson noted the Manziel storyline "was a distraction" for the Browns throughout the '14 season, and now Pettine is "hoping to avoid a distraction on top of the distraction." Pettine said there were both "positives and negatives" to the show. He said, "It's hard to be yourself. Some guys play to the camera. If you have to change, then it's a distraction" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/24). ESPN's Skip Bayless said, "I believe they’re using Johnny Manziel as an excuse not to do ‘Hard Knocks.’" ESPN's Stephen A. Smith: "I don't think it’s baloney, but I also don't believe it's just about Johnny Manziel. It is about the organization. ... It's possible that the Cleveland Browns don't want this because you don't want to expose yourself to how dysfunctional you have been” (“First Take,” ESPN2, 3/25). BLEACHER REPORT's Mike Freeman writes while there are "jokes to be made here ... I actually think the Browns would be good on that show." They "have interesting characters in that locker room," including Manziel. They also have "an owner that is -- um -- a little eccentric" in Jimmy Haslam III, and they have "a front office that is -- um -- a little odd." The Browns "are a bit of a circus, and a circus makes good television" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 3/25).
