The Texans "could be announced this week as the 'Hard Knocks' team of 2015, and there will be story lines creating interest on a local and national level, beginning with the competition between" QBs Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer for the starting job, according to John McClain of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE (5/26). McClain cited sources as saying that the Texans "have been one of three finalists," for the series, but HBO prefers them over the Bills and Redskins. Media reports say the Browns, Redskins and Bills "aren't interested, which would make the Texans the front-runner." Texans Owner Bob McNair "must sign off" on the team's first appearance on “Hard Knocks." However, NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt on Friday tweeted that the Redskins "will be on the upcoming 'Hard Knocks'" (CHRON.com, 5/22). In N.Y., Gary Myers noted although it is hard to imagine new Bills coach Rex Ryan "not wanting the opportunity to raise the profile of his team, the Bills had the right to turn it down because Ryan is in his first year with the team." Last year’s series on the Falcons "was a snooze-fest." Myers asked if people would "rather see another summer of Rex or be entertained" by either Texans coach Bill O’Brien, one of the "many super secretive Bill Belichick disciples," or Redskins coach Jay Gruden (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/24). ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “I’d like to see (Texans DE) J.J. Watt, but I’d rather see Rex Ryan with the Bills. He’s the best copy in the world” (“PTI,” ESPN, 5/22).
SHOW ME THE FUNNY: NFL Network’s Heath Evans said his “dream team” to appear on the series is the Patriots, but he acknowledged that "will never happen.” Evans would like to "give some inside access to our true NFL fans ... to the real Bill Belichick, the real Tom Brady.” He speculates 80% of the people who hate Belichick "would love him after ‘Hard Knocks’ because he is hands-down hysterical.” NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger noted his dream team to appear on the show series, saying, “From the outside-in, it appears for the past 20 years that the Washington Redskins have defined dysfunction in a lot of different areas. I would love to see the Redskins. ... I think there would be a lot of personality. I think there would be a lot of conflict and I think it would be really good television” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 5/25).
