Death to Google Ads! Texans Talk Tip Jar! 🍺😎👍
Thanks for your support!
Hard Knocks: Houston Texans 2015
- Thread starter Playoffs
- Start date
Blake
MMQB
Gil Brandt @Gil_Brandt May 22
For what its worth I was told by a good friend that the @Redskins will be on Hard Knocks. Take that as you will.
For what its worth I was told by a good friend that the @Redskins will be on Hard Knocks. Take that as you will.
Troy Chapman
Rookie
Official team announcement set for 1330
Hervoyel
BUENO!
OK, I'm not happy about it if it happens but help me find the silver lining. Does this "grant the team immunity" from this crap next year? Is there anything to be gained by being on this other than a bunch of attention and (mostly) fake drama? Does this get us an automatic player placement on Dancing With the Stars or some such nonsense?
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Five Texans who could be 'Hard Knocks' stars and aren't J.J. Watt
"Hard Knocks" isn't a show embraced by many teams in the ultra-secretive world of the NFL, but it can make for some very compelling television... That would likely mean a lot of J.J. Watt, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year who got the star treatment last year when the featured Atlanta Falcons visited Houston for practices. Watt will embrace this and make for great TV.
Who else?
Here's a look at five potential Hard Knocks stars who aren't J.J. Watt:
Head Coach Bill O'Brien: Last season O'Brien shared that the quarterbacks in New England had a teapot in their meeting room to represent O'Brien's sometimes explosive temper. With each "teapot incident," they'd draw a mark on the pot. O'Brien might not like having cameras infiltrating his team's preparations, but he'll be a great character on the show. One of the biggest misconceptions about O'Brien is that he is a clone of Bill Belichick, one of O'Brien's mentors and the man most helpful in O'Brien's transition into the NFL 10 years ago. In reality they are two very different men. O'Brien can be as funny as he can be biting, and the cameras will capture that personality.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney's return from microfracture surgery is an interesting story. How he personally handles the recovery, and how his body responds as he starts to get more and more involved with training camp practices will be fascinating. I've always found Clowney to be sincere and forthcoming in interviews, and he has no shortage of confidence in himself.
Center Ben Jones: Last year I was in Bristol, Connecticut, for meetings on the same day that former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray was in the office. I asked him to tell me the weirdest thing he ever saw Ben Jones do while they played together. Murray said during one game, Jones showed up to the huddle before a play and handed Murray some dreadlocks he had torn off an opposing player. That player had apparently hit Murray late and this was Jones' revenge. Murray declined to take the dreadlocks, so Jones tucked them into his pants. He saved them, later hanging them from the fan in his apartment. Ben Jones is a really smart guy who does a lot of weird things. He eats roaches. He walks around barefoot before games. He'll drink cold tub water if dared. This year he'll be transitioning into becoming the Texans' starting center. His Hard Knocks ceiling is very high.
Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel: The stories of Vrabel's wit in meetings when he was a player are numerous, hilarious and not really suitable for print. His style on the field while he's coaching the linebackers is similar. And he's very hands on, often joining players for post-practice conditioning.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork: He's new to the Texans, so I can't speak first-hand to his personality, but his teammates have spoken a lot since his arrival on his strong presence. He'll instantly be a leader on this team. Plus, he dances.
Who else?
Here's a look at five potential Hard Knocks stars who aren't J.J. Watt:
Head Coach Bill O'Brien: Last season O'Brien shared that the quarterbacks in New England had a teapot in their meeting room to represent O'Brien's sometimes explosive temper. With each "teapot incident," they'd draw a mark on the pot. O'Brien might not like having cameras infiltrating his team's preparations, but he'll be a great character on the show. One of the biggest misconceptions about O'Brien is that he is a clone of Bill Belichick, one of O'Brien's mentors and the man most helpful in O'Brien's transition into the NFL 10 years ago. In reality they are two very different men. O'Brien can be as funny as he can be biting, and the cameras will capture that personality.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney's return from microfracture surgery is an interesting story. How he personally handles the recovery, and how his body responds as he starts to get more and more involved with training camp practices will be fascinating. I've always found Clowney to be sincere and forthcoming in interviews, and he has no shortage of confidence in himself.
Center Ben Jones: Last year I was in Bristol, Connecticut, for meetings on the same day that former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray was in the office. I asked him to tell me the weirdest thing he ever saw Ben Jones do while they played together. Murray said during one game, Jones showed up to the huddle before a play and handed Murray some dreadlocks he had torn off an opposing player. That player had apparently hit Murray late and this was Jones' revenge. Murray declined to take the dreadlocks, so Jones tucked them into his pants. He saved them, later hanging them from the fan in his apartment. Ben Jones is a really smart guy who does a lot of weird things. He eats roaches. He walks around barefoot before games. He'll drink cold tub water if dared. This year he'll be transitioning into becoming the Texans' starting center. His Hard Knocks ceiling is very high.
Linebackers coach Mike Vrabel: The stories of Vrabel's wit in meetings when he was a player are numerous, hilarious and not really suitable for print. His style on the field while he's coaching the linebackers is similar. And he's very hands on, often joining players for post-practice conditioning.
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork: He's new to the Texans, so I can't speak first-hand to his personality, but his teammates have spoken a lot since his arrival on his strong presence. He'll instantly be a leader on this team. Plus, he dances.
Ten years immunity actually.
HOU-TEX
Ah, Football!
I'd include Cushing too. He's an intense freak when he's got the pads on
xtruroyaltyx
Hall of Fame
Great news.
cland
Waterboy
Yep, this was my immediate thought. It'll be fun watching the two QBs being "supportive" of each other, while competing like mad to win the starting QB job.
Landing Aaron Rodgers in a trade would be great news... nothing great and little good news about being on HK
Scooter
Funky
I'm quite excited. I didn't have high hopes for this season so the potential distraction doesn't concern me. HBO does a really good job with the show so it'll be fun to watch with my team front and center. It will also help me convert some friends to the Texans side that have wavering loyalties.
paycheck71
Hall of Fame
If I'm not mistaken, they replayed these on NFL Network the following week last year. With all the cussing bleeped out obviously.
paycheck71
Hall of Fame
HBO Now exclusivity clause with Apple should run out in a month or so. After that it should start being available on other platforms (Chromecast, Amazon Prime, PC, who knows what else).I can't subscribe to any HBO services without an Apple Iphone (or Ipad) or a cable service. And I'm not buying any apple products just to watch this show. Looks like unless it shows up on the internet somewhere, I'll miss it.
I don't think I'll lose a lot of sleep over this.
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
I will be more than happy to pay for a streaming service I will use. I would be an internet subscriber to HBO and SHOWTME if they'd let me. But no more cable TV, and no more paying for services and channels I don't watch. I'll only pay for stuff I will actually watch.
I'm starting to feel the same way. I have had many phone conversations with xfinity and they always tell me they will lower my bill to 160 bucks but after a couple of months I'm back to paying 230 to 240. I work out of town most of the time so why the hell am I paying so much? Stupid is as stupid does.
I was just about to cancel all of it but now I'll have to HD off so I can watch hard k ocks.
paycheck71
Hall of Fame
HBO and Showtime are really the only 2 premium channels I'm interested in as well. And I don't need 20 versions of each, just one. Same with me, I'm cancelling all my movie channels as soon as I can subscribe to HBO Now. Showtime will have to follow shortly even though they don't have the service yet.
m'eh, it's like the rain. Can't do anything about it, so sit back and enjoy it. I'll call Uverse before training camp and get them to give me some kind of promotional thing for free HBO for a couple of months. All you have to do is threaten to go to DirecTV and they will always give you something to stay.
paycheck71
Hall of Fame
This works just as well with DirecTV. I call them every 6 months or so, and they give a discount on whatever premium channels I want and more importantly Sunday Ticket. Usually you have to get past the first level customer service though.
Vance87
All Pro
Is that an online thing or through the TV?
Thorn
Dirty Old Man
This will be my first NFL season without cable TV. Since I'm already insane, I'm not sure if a change in my behavior from missing out on some good cable NFL stuff is going to show very much. I apologize in advance if I call you horrible things eriadoc. LOL
eriadoc
Texan-American
If you have HBO, even for a free trial period, you have access to HBO Go. This allows you to pull programs down to your DVR and watch them whenever you like. I watched the first three seasons of Boardwalk Empire in under a month that way. When you lose the free trial period, you lose access to HBO Go.
@Thorn: rather than spoil the endings of all these cable sports shows for you, I'll just tell you how great they are.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Texans to be featured on 10th season of HBO's 'Hard Knocks'
HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Houston Texans team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS debuts in August.
The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround programs on TV – kicks off its five-episode tenth season TUESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes of the 12-time Sports Emmy® Award-winning series debut subsequent Tuesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.
“We are thrilled that the tenth edition of HARD KNOCKS will spotlight a team in a division that we have not featured previously on HBO,” says Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports. “It’s exciting to feature a team, a franchise and a city for the first time on HARD KNOCKS. We are grateful to Texans chairman Bob McNair, general manager Rick Smith, coach Bill O’Brien and the entire organization for agreeing to participate and look forward to what we expect to be one of the most compelling and interesting seasons in HARD KNOCKS history. The series has become a summertime destination for TV viewers, and we can’t wait for the premiere on August 11.”
“We want to thank Bob McNair, Rick Smith, Bill O’Brien and the entire Houston Texans’ organization for the trust they have in NFL Films by allowing us unprecedented access into their training camp,” says Howard Katz, COO of NFL Films and NFL senior vice president of broadcasting. “We are looking forward to highlighting this team comprised of star players, free-agent newcomers and hopeful rookies as they come together to try to ascend to the top of the AFC South. We are excited to work with both the Texans and HBO Sports to give fans an inside look into the game they love.”
The cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the Houston Texans, who play in the hard-nosed AFC South, conduct the franchise’s 14th training camp and prepare for the 2015 NFL season.
HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS will chronicle second-year head coach Bill O’Brien and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, emerging stars, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the four-game preseason schedule.
Each week, players will experience drills, instruction, meetings and fun, while striving to prove they have what it takes to make the team and leave their mark on the NFL. The Texans are a team on the rise, with O’Brien improving the team’s record from 2-14 to 9-7 in his first season at the helm.
“We are thrilled to partner with HBO and NFL Films to give fans unprecedented access to our team and organization,” says Texans founder, chairman and CEO Robert C. McNair. “The HARD KNOCKS documentaries do a tremendous job of displaying how an NFL team prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to showcasing the Houston Texans to a worldwide audience.”
A 30-person NFL Films crew will be at the Texans’ training camp at team headquarters in Houston, shooting more than 1,500 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.
“This is an opportunity to provide a behind-the-scenes look at our team as we prepare for the 2015 season,” says Rick Smith, the Texans’ executive vice president of football operations and general manager. “Fans will get a chance to see the great competition that takes place day-in and day-out on the practice field, as well as get to know all the unique personalities on our roster.”
Four summers ago HARD KNOCKS moved its premiere night to Tuesday and the results have been a resounding success. The five-part 2014 series on the NFC South Atlanta Falcons averaged more than 3.6 million viewers per episode, an increase from the show’s 2013 performance. No other sports reality series can match the critical acclaim, awards and audience numbers posted by the HARD KNOCKS franchise.
To date, HARD KNOCKS has earned 12 Sports Emmy® Awards for production excellence. The series launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002, and resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning the show’s first Sports Emmy®. In 2008, the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy®.
In 2009, HARD KNOCKS spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals and captured two more Sports Emmy® Awards, for Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology and Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound. In 2010, the New York Jets were featured and the series captured three Sports Emmys®, including Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology. Summer 2012 spotlighted the Miami Dolphins, earning an Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound.
The Bengals were featured again in 2013 and the series captured three more Sports Emmys®, for Outstanding Editing, Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. The 2014 series featuring the Falcons was recognized with the Emmy® for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics.
Each of the last five teams featured on HARD KNOCKS has improved its won-loss record in the regular season immediately following the training camp presentation.
TIME called the show “riveting,” while NFL.com hailed the series as “undoubtedly the greatest football program in the history of the television medium.” Business Week observed, “As a workplace drama, it ranks among the best on television,” and New York’s Daily News termed it “the gold standard of sports reality programming.” ESPNW wrote, “The return of the NFL season also means the return of one of the best shows on television, ‘Hard Knocks.’ This rare look at how any given moment can be the end of a season or even a career.” Grantland.com observed, “Hard Knocks is when it really feels like we’re getting football back in our lives.”
HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS is narrated by Liev Schreiber.
The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround programs on TV – kicks off its five-episode tenth season TUESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes of the 12-time Sports Emmy® Award-winning series debut subsequent Tuesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale.
“We are thrilled that the tenth edition of HARD KNOCKS will spotlight a team in a division that we have not featured previously on HBO,” says Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports. “It’s exciting to feature a team, a franchise and a city for the first time on HARD KNOCKS. We are grateful to Texans chairman Bob McNair, general manager Rick Smith, coach Bill O’Brien and the entire organization for agreeing to participate and look forward to what we expect to be one of the most compelling and interesting seasons in HARD KNOCKS history. The series has become a summertime destination for TV viewers, and we can’t wait for the premiere on August 11.”
“We want to thank Bob McNair, Rick Smith, Bill O’Brien and the entire Houston Texans’ organization for the trust they have in NFL Films by allowing us unprecedented access into their training camp,” says Howard Katz, COO of NFL Films and NFL senior vice president of broadcasting. “We are looking forward to highlighting this team comprised of star players, free-agent newcomers and hopeful rookies as they come together to try to ascend to the top of the AFC South. We are excited to work with both the Texans and HBO Sports to give fans an inside look into the game they love.”
The cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the Houston Texans, who play in the hard-nosed AFC South, conduct the franchise’s 14th training camp and prepare for the 2015 NFL season.
HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS will chronicle second-year head coach Bill O’Brien and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, emerging stars, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the four-game preseason schedule.
Each week, players will experience drills, instruction, meetings and fun, while striving to prove they have what it takes to make the team and leave their mark on the NFL. The Texans are a team on the rise, with O’Brien improving the team’s record from 2-14 to 9-7 in his first season at the helm.
“We are thrilled to partner with HBO and NFL Films to give fans unprecedented access to our team and organization,” says Texans founder, chairman and CEO Robert C. McNair. “The HARD KNOCKS documentaries do a tremendous job of displaying how an NFL team prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to showcasing the Houston Texans to a worldwide audience.”
A 30-person NFL Films crew will be at the Texans’ training camp at team headquarters in Houston, shooting more than 1,500 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.
“This is an opportunity to provide a behind-the-scenes look at our team as we prepare for the 2015 season,” says Rick Smith, the Texans’ executive vice president of football operations and general manager. “Fans will get a chance to see the great competition that takes place day-in and day-out on the practice field, as well as get to know all the unique personalities on our roster.”
Four summers ago HARD KNOCKS moved its premiere night to Tuesday and the results have been a resounding success. The five-part 2014 series on the NFC South Atlanta Falcons averaged more than 3.6 million viewers per episode, an increase from the show’s 2013 performance. No other sports reality series can match the critical acclaim, awards and audience numbers posted by the HARD KNOCKS franchise.
To date, HARD KNOCKS has earned 12 Sports Emmy® Awards for production excellence. The series launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002, and resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning the show’s first Sports Emmy®. In 2008, the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy®.
In 2009, HARD KNOCKS spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals and captured two more Sports Emmy® Awards, for Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology and Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound. In 2010, the New York Jets were featured and the series captured three Sports Emmys®, including Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology. Summer 2012 spotlighted the Miami Dolphins, earning an Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound.
The Bengals were featured again in 2013 and the series captured three more Sports Emmys®, for Outstanding Editing, Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. The 2014 series featuring the Falcons was recognized with the Emmy® for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics.
Each of the last five teams featured on HARD KNOCKS has improved its won-loss record in the regular season immediately following the training camp presentation.
TIME called the show “riveting,” while NFL.com hailed the series as “undoubtedly the greatest football program in the history of the television medium.” Business Week observed, “As a workplace drama, it ranks among the best on television,” and New York’s Daily News termed it “the gold standard of sports reality programming.” ESPNW wrote, “The return of the NFL season also means the return of one of the best shows on television, ‘Hard Knocks.’ This rare look at how any given moment can be the end of a season or even a career.” Grantland.com observed, “Hard Knocks is when it really feels like we’re getting football back in our lives.”
HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS is narrated by Liev Schreiber.
Last edited:
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
NFL Films Matt Dissinger and Ken Rodgers with Bob McNair and Rick Smith
McNair dodges question about O'Brien's reaction to HKHT, says we won't be giving up a competitive advantage. Smith says we trust HBO implicitly.
Obvious this was McNair's decision.
PDS @PatDStat
5-6 crews of 3 people and robotic cameras in coaches offices are what HBO plans to do for Hardknocks. #Texans
McNair mentions that the coaching staff and J.J. Watt as some of the reasons as the right time for Hardknocks in Houston. #Texans
Ken Rodgers mentioning the best story lines come from the ones you don’t expect. Mentions John Connor and Danny Woodhead. #Texans
Hardknocks says that 25 storylines will be looked at to start the show prep. Go from there. #Texans
Rick Smith says they will be part of the editorial process for the episodes. #Texans
McNair “Main thing we are going to empathize is that this is not going to be a distraction for us.” #Texans
August 11th is the first episode for Texans Hardknocks.
McNair mentions that the coaching staff and J.J. Watt as some of the reasons as the right time for Hardknocks in Houston. #Texans
Ken Rodgers mentioning the best story lines come from the ones you don’t expect. Mentions John Connor and Danny Woodhead. #Texans
Hardknocks says that 25 storylines will be looked at to start the show prep. Go from there. #Texans
Rick Smith says they will be part of the editorial process for the episodes. #Texans
McNair “Main thing we are going to empathize is that this is not going to be a distraction for us.” #Texans
August 11th is the first episode for Texans Hardknocks.
Last edited:
The Pencil Neck
Hall of Fame
nero THE zero
All Pro
So, so happy.
I was originally in the camp that thought it was bad for the team. But, after the past few seasons that argument has continued to seem more and more fraudulent to me.
This will be a great opportunity to get to know some of our players and coaches better. I can't wait!
I was originally in the camp that thought it was bad for the team. But, after the past few seasons that argument has continued to seem more and more fraudulent to me.
This will be a great opportunity to get to know some of our players and coaches better. I can't wait!
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
Dear national media, welcome to the Houston Texans!
John Harris|Texans Analyst
John Harris|Texans Analyst
Dear (insert organization here),
Welcome! I’m sure there are plenty of you wondering why I didn’t greet you with some other stereotypical Texas saying like “What’s up, buckeroo?” or “Howdy” but unbeknownst to most, we just usually say hello...or welcome in this case.
As it was announced today that the Houston Texans will be featured on Hard Knocks, I wanted to, well, help out, so to speak. We are a friendly group down in Houston. Most of you may think that Hard Knocks will turn into JJ WATT...and the rest of the Houston Texans and that’s legitimate thinking, in some sense, given what Watt has become. But, there’s more here than at first glance.
What about the first true QB competition, heading into training camp, in team history - Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer and Tom
Savage? David Carr was drafted to be the QB in 2002. Matt Schaub was signed in 2007. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a clear leg up on the competition heading into 2014 training camp and was the clear starter. This year? Wide open with three ultra-competitive gunslingers, two of which have history playing together prior to being in Houston - Mallett and Hoyer.
The on-going rehab and re-emergence of Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He starred on Hard Knocks last year...as he embarrassed Atlanta OL on consecutive plays in the team’s pre-season win over the Falcons. If there’s a player that resonates nationally, outside of Watt, it’s that guy and he’s attempting to rebound from microfracture knee surgery.
The addition of former Patriot DT Vince Wilfork, one of the most interesting and important additions, is another story worth following. After two rings and a decade plus in New England, Wilfork signed with the Texans to bolster an already strong front seven. You knew that though, right? Watt, Jared Crick, Wilfork, Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus, Clowney and son on? Thought so.
And, Wilfork’s former teammate and current Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel is worth an episode nearly on his own.
You also know Arian Foster, right? Of course you do. But, do you know he can play the piano? How about dueling running back piano players - Foster and Jonathan Grimes?
Cornerback Jumal Rolle isn’t a household name but he was an instrumental piece in the secondary, joining the team in October 2014 last year. The story of his two year old son is wonderful and heartwarming.
Of course, special teams players never get any love, other than for buying shake weights for the entire team (Jets 2010). But, it’ll be worth the price of admission to mic up punter Shane Lechler during a practice. Trust me. Fort Bend County represent, yo (I’m from there too, so I’m a little biased)!!
OL Ben Jones? Country boy made good. Give him a selfie stick and record the next six minutes of fun during a training camp practice.
Rahim Moore signed in Houston in the off-season and joined one of his off-season friends Kareem Jackson. The two have worked out together for years and are now teammates in Houston.
And, yeah, there’s Watt. He’s a star for a reason. A good reason.
Last and certainly not least, there’s Bill O’Brien...well, let...yeah...he’s going to be terrible and you shouldn’t mic him up as much as possible. (Just in case he reads this...between you and I, he’s going to steal the show with his commentary on just about everything. But, I’m staying quiet - he knows where I live).
So, there you have it, a litany of stories that the HBO and NFL Films crews could unearth along the way. It’ll be a ride that’s for sure, but this is your little cheat sheet for the time being. See ya’ soon.
Welcome! I’m sure there are plenty of you wondering why I didn’t greet you with some other stereotypical Texas saying like “What’s up, buckeroo?” or “Howdy” but unbeknownst to most, we just usually say hello...or welcome in this case.
As it was announced today that the Houston Texans will be featured on Hard Knocks, I wanted to, well, help out, so to speak. We are a friendly group down in Houston. Most of you may think that Hard Knocks will turn into JJ WATT...and the rest of the Houston Texans and that’s legitimate thinking, in some sense, given what Watt has become. But, there’s more here than at first glance.
What about the first true QB competition, heading into training camp, in team history - Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer and Tom
Savage? David Carr was drafted to be the QB in 2002. Matt Schaub was signed in 2007. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a clear leg up on the competition heading into 2014 training camp and was the clear starter. This year? Wide open with three ultra-competitive gunslingers, two of which have history playing together prior to being in Houston - Mallett and Hoyer.
The on-going rehab and re-emergence of Jadeveon Clowney, the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He starred on Hard Knocks last year...as he embarrassed Atlanta OL on consecutive plays in the team’s pre-season win over the Falcons. If there’s a player that resonates nationally, outside of Watt, it’s that guy and he’s attempting to rebound from microfracture knee surgery.
The addition of former Patriot DT Vince Wilfork, one of the most interesting and important additions, is another story worth following. After two rings and a decade plus in New England, Wilfork signed with the Texans to bolster an already strong front seven. You knew that though, right? Watt, Jared Crick, Wilfork, Brian Cushing, Whitney Mercilus, Clowney and son on? Thought so.
And, Wilfork’s former teammate and current Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel is worth an episode nearly on his own.
You also know Arian Foster, right? Of course you do. But, do you know he can play the piano? How about dueling running back piano players - Foster and Jonathan Grimes?
Cornerback Jumal Rolle isn’t a household name but he was an instrumental piece in the secondary, joining the team in October 2014 last year. The story of his two year old son is wonderful and heartwarming.
Of course, special teams players never get any love, other than for buying shake weights for the entire team (Jets 2010). But, it’ll be worth the price of admission to mic up punter Shane Lechler during a practice. Trust me. Fort Bend County represent, yo (I’m from there too, so I’m a little biased)!!
OL Ben Jones? Country boy made good. Give him a selfie stick and record the next six minutes of fun during a training camp practice.
Rahim Moore signed in Houston in the off-season and joined one of his off-season friends Kareem Jackson. The two have worked out together for years and are now teammates in Houston.
And, yeah, there’s Watt. He’s a star for a reason. A good reason.
Last and certainly not least, there’s Bill O’Brien...well, let...yeah...he’s going to be terrible and you shouldn’t mic him up as much as possible. (Just in case he reads this...between you and I, he’s going to steal the show with his commentary on just about everything. But, I’m staying quiet - he knows where I live).
So, there you have it, a litany of stories that the HBO and NFL Films crews could unearth along the way. It’ll be a ride that’s for sure, but this is your little cheat sheet for the time being. See ya’ soon.
Playoffs
Hall of Fame
And HKHT began filming filming today. So players have local media, then HKHT gauntlet.
During the HKHT presser they noted they've had NFLFilms crews here many times, mic' up O'Brien, and did a profile of OB at Penn State in 2013. So cameras aren't unusual. In the building/rooms/offices they'll have remote-controlled cameras installed. Players/coaches forget they are there.
Also, while initial airings are less edited for language, follow-on reairings are bleeped so kids can watch.
During the HKHT presser they noted they've had NFLFilms crews here many times, mic' up O'Brien, and did a profile of OB at Penn State in 2013. So cameras aren't unusual. In the building/rooms/offices they'll have remote-controlled cameras installed. Players/coaches forget they are there.
Also, while initial airings are less edited for language, follow-on reairings are bleeped so kids can watch.
on the radio they said every team that has been on Hard Knocks improved over the previous season. Including last year's 6-10 Falcons as they were 4-12 the year before.
ChampionTexan
Hall of Fame
Nawzer
Alienz
I'm actually looking forward to it. We'll finally get a peek into the way the Texans operate. I don't think cameras being there will be a major distraction and it's a lame excuse. These guys are used to having the camera and mic shoved in their faces on a daily basis and besides there are regulations as to what kind of access HBO is given during the filming process.
That would be perfect.
Is that something you can watch on NFL.com or do you have to have NFL Network?
I'll watch, but I will be shocked if we gain much insight into the usually secretive workings of the front office.
This show will be about workouts, practice, yelling coaches, teaching coaches, and scrubs getting cut. You know, just like all the other episodes of Hard Knocks, just upgraded with Texans logos this season.
This show will be about workouts, practice, yelling coaches, teaching coaches, and scrubs getting cut. You know, just like all the other episodes of Hard Knocks, just upgraded with Texans logos this season.
Lied is such a strong word... it's totally possible I didn't hear what I thought I heard. Maybe they qualified it & I didn't catch that part.
Vance87
All Pro
How do you get a free trial though, you gotta call or is it online?If you have HBO, even for a free trial period, you have access to HBO Go. This allows you to pull programs down to your DVR and watch them whenever you like. I watched the first three seasons of Boardwalk Empire in under a month that way. When you lose the free trial period, you lose access to HBO Go.
@Thorn: rather than spoil the endings of all these cable sports shows for you, I'll just tell you how great they are.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Call up whoever your provider is and tell them you are going to cancel and go to someone else because they are throwing in HBO. Their retention people will come up with it to keep you.
Holy crap!
ATXtexanfan
Hall of Fame
This will be the first time I watch hard knocks.
htowntexans1985
1st Round Pick
@nflnetwork
A #HardKnocks blessing??
Of the last 5 teams on the show...3 have made the playoffs, and all 5 improved their records from the previous yr.
A #HardKnocks blessing??
Of the last 5 teams on the show...3 have made the playoffs, and all 5 improved their records from the previous yr.