Falcons may weigh business benefit over football concerns
The last time the Falcons were approached by HBO to appear on “Hard Knocks” they swiftly turned down the offer.
That came after coach Mike Smith’s first season, and they were a young team. Also, the franchise was not too far removed from the 2007 debacle of Michael Vick going to jail and Bobby Petrino quitting after 13 games.
With a seasoned roster and three trips to the playoffs over the past four seasons, the Falcons are in a better position to accept the offer.
It’s a no-brainer for the business and marketing sides of the organization, but the football traditionalists struggle with the notion of cameras following them during training camp.
While the Falcons consider the offer, the team does not want to comment. In the past, HBO has announced the featured team in May.
The Falcons seem to be a strange partner because under Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff, they have run a focused, determined and no-frills approach to football. However, Dimitroff, a staunch second-generation football man, appreciates that part of the league revolves around entertainment.
The show has some support in the locker room.
“I’ve been a fan of the show for as long as I can remember,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said on 790 The Zone’s “Mayhem in the A.M.” show Thursday. “I think it’s always really well-done, and it offers some unique perspective into what NFL training camp is like.”
Ryan, who’s set to enter his fifth season in the NFL, believes the team could handle the show.
“But from my perspective, as a player ... my focus during that time is going to be preparing for the season,” Ryan said. “Whether if there are cameras there or not. But it’s up to the organization to decide.”
Some of the training-camp story lines for HBO would include:
- A possible holdout by cornerback Brent Grimes, who has been offered the franchise tag. His agent has said he doesn't plan to sign it and wants a long-term deal.
When the New York Jets were on Hard Knocks in 2010, cornerback Darrelle Revis’ holdout was featured.
- Wide receiver Roddy White will require his own camera, along with linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
- Defensive line coach Ray Hamilton gets pretty fired up during one-on-one pass-rushing drills.
- The zaniness that goes along the offensive-line corridor in the locker room likely would make it to the airwaves.
- Veteran center Todd McClure's story would be worth exploring as he tries to hold off the young guys and retain his position.
- Defensive end Ray Edwards is a little bizarre, with his tattoos, boxing and underwear modeling.
- The owner always is part of the show, and maybe they would show one of Arthur Blank's football briefings from Smith and Dimitroff.
- Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and his lovely wife, October, would be intriguing. Something on how the California kid adopted to the South and if he eats grits on his All-Pro diet.
- "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Zolciak, who's married to defensive end Kroy Biermann, showed up at a practice last season.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
