Nonstopdrivel
15 years ago

Michael Hunt | In My Opinion

'Hard Knocks' not answered by Pack  

Posted: Sept. 17, 2009

Green Bay Because HBO's "Hard Knocks" cameras probe further behind the scenes than a colonoscopy lens, the Green Bay Packers are about the last team you'd expect to star in the documentary.

Not the last, as Al Davis' North Korea-like obsession with guarding secrets no longer interesting will keep the Oakland Raiders out of the rotation for the foreseeable future.

The Packers have the integrity of tradition and such to uphold, but could you really imagine Ted Thompson allowing that sort of access behind the 1265 Lombardi curtain?

Still, HBO asked a couple of years ago. Mike McCarthy said he declined out of concern that the league's youngest team might be a little too candid for the cameras. And the Packers have somehow managed to get no older since. "No disrespect to 'Hard Knocks,' but it's not on my radar screen," McCarthy said.

But the show is topical to the Packers this week because its most recent subject, the Cincinnati Bengals, is on deck. McCarthy had the series taped in case something was competitively usable, but in the end it was just entertainment, however compelling and dramatic.

"It gives guys who aren't the face of the franchise the opportunity to get their personality and character out there," said Aaron Rodgers, a fan when he's not slinging footballs.

Guys like rookie free agent Chris Pressley, for example. Beyond the fact he's an ex-Badger, you lived vicariously and anxiously through a quiet, likable kid as he endured the process of earning a practice-squad job with the Bengals.

And then there is Chad Ochocinco, the self-aggrandizing sort who could monopolize the entire hour. And still . . .

" 'Hard Knocks' exactly shows people the hard work that gets put in before I open my mouth, because I work ridiculously," he said. "The world never gets to see that part . . . I think a lot of people think the NFL is all hoo-rahs. This is a tough business, really serious."

The show also has a humanizing effect. It's hard to demonize or at least depersonalize someone like the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson when seeing him in a workaday context. You also got a sense of what a decent man Bengals coach Marvin Lewis seems to be. Whether any of that takes the edge off Sunday is in the eye of the beholder, but you can appreciate the perspective.

"It's for the fans to see the strains camp puts on you mentally and physically," said B.J. Raji, the Packers' No. 1 pick. "I think they understand the physical part, but I don't think they understand the mental part too well."

Of course, Raji gets it. He saw Cincinnati's No. 1, Andre Smith, go through his contract issues while Raji was doing the same. He saw the Bengals reduce their roster at the same time the Packers were cutting players.

That's the part McCarthy said he would not choose to share with the public. Said Lewis, "Those are the tough times. Unfortunately, waiving players is part of the story they want to tell."

Naturally, you'd want to see the Packers in such a light. But would they want you to see them that exposed?

"I think we're good here," Rodgers smiled.

He did, however, mention teammates he'd like to see unscripted, notably Brady Poppinga.

"That would be great entertainment," Rodgers said.

Now there would be an act worth the cable bill.

"Oh, would I? But Aaron is one of my biggest fans," Poppinga said in one of his made-for-shtick moments. "I think he tries to hype me up. I'm just a regular dude."

Hmmmm . . .


UserPostedImage
TheEngineer
15 years ago
I remember when they were asked and the Packers declined. I think it's for the best.

Why subject your team to the dangers of the camera crew recording usable footage which could get leaked out? Even if it didn't make the editor's cut for TV entertainment, the fact that something could get recorded is a worry that should be Somebody Else's Problem.
blank
LambeauEast
15 years ago
I agree...as much as I would love to see the behind the scenes stuff, it truly is for the best.
UserPostedImage
nyrpack
15 years ago
love to see the pack on hbo !!
jimmy b.
wamj2008
15 years ago
I'd like to see it. A mature, responsible team and staff shouldn't have a problem with a little exposure. Sure beats watching Dallas and Cincy.
blank
xavierlee9
15 years ago
Hard Knocks is flippin great TV..Can't deny that.
UserPostedImage
PackerBuddha
15 years ago
I really enjoyed this seasons Hard Knocks...Ocho had me cracking up.
BAD EMAIL because the address couldn ot be found, or is unable to receive mail.
boiled
15 years ago
Although I'd love to see the Pack on hard knocks...it probably a pretty big distraction for the team, especially during the early parts of camp. I'd rather just watch them win on Sunday.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (14-Aug) : Packers RB Josh Jacobs ranked No. 33 in NFL 'Top 100'
dfosterf (13-Aug) : The LVN Musgrave collision- Andy Herman said Musgrave seemed to be the one most impacted injury-wise
dfosterf (13-Aug) : a lower back injury
dfosterf (13-Aug) : Doubs says he's "fine" after injury scare. Some reported it as z
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : With LVN that is; need to see what happens in the next practice
Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
beast (12-Aug) : I believe Musgrave has been injured every single season since at least a Sophomore in highschool
packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : RB Tyrion Davis-Price is signing with the Green Bay Packers.
Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : zero help, dominated. preseason
beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
buckeyepackfan (10-Aug) : Just posted to re-up on our FFL.
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
wpr (10-Aug) : I made it through the 1st Q.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Could have been a worse start, so there is that.
beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : It may only be preseason, but this game is a trip to the dentist
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do bad -- FREAK OUT!!!!!!
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do good -- eh only preseason
dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Great, zayne is down
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : 13 minutes away from kickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffff
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
dfosterf (8-Aug) : Zero- Did you see what I posted about Voice of Reason and his wife? She posted over at fleaflicker that they are both "In"
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Well, not crazy, it makes sense. Crazy I didn't notice/find it earlier
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : it's crazy how one stored procedure to get data bogged everything down for speed here
dfosterf (7-Aug) : to herd cats or goldfish without a bowl. They reminded me of the annual assembly of our fantasy league
dfosterf (7-Aug) : out on a field trip, outfitting them with little yellow smocks. Most of the little folk were well behaved, but several were like trying
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Yesterday my wife and I spent the afternoon on the waterfront here in Alexandria, Va. A daycare company took about 15 three/four year olds
wpr (7-Aug) : seems faster. yay
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Wife of reason posted on the in/out thread on fleaflicker that both she and vor are in
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : This page was generated in 0.135 seconds.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
13h / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

17h / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

13-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

12-Aug / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

11-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

11-Aug / Around The NFL / Martha Careful

11-Aug / Around The NFL / packerfanoutwest

10-Aug / Fantasy Sports Talk / buckeyepackfan

10-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

10-Aug / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.