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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 . . .


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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.
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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.
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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.
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xavierlee9
15 years ago
Hard Knocks is flippin great TV..Can't deny that.
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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.
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dfosterf (10h) : Probably a homer access credential intimidation kinda thing
dfosterf (10h) : Meathead "journalists" skip this, concentrating on operational revenue when convenient. They switch when net revenue is more favorable.
dfosterf (11h) : Resulting in an actual drop of net revenue of 12.5%. She is from Minnesota. Just sayin'
dfosterf (11h) : Any plans to hold Maureen Smith (CFO) accountable for a 95% drop in investment revenue?
Mucky Tundra (11h) : In your face, HBO!
Mucky Tundra (11h) : @ByRyanWood Mark Murphy: “A great source of pride of mine is that we were never on Hard Knocks.”
Mucky Tundra (11h) : *years
Mucky Tundra (11h) : @mattschneidman Mark Murphy says he anticipates “many Packers games” being played in Germany, Ireland and/or the U.K. over the next 5-10 yea
dfosterf (11h) : *cafeteria* I have hit my head also, so I sympathize
dfosterf (11h) : Possibly hit his head leaning into the glass protecting the food in the cafateria
dfosterf (12h) : Maybe a low flying drone
dfosterf (12h) : Did Savion Williams run into a goalpost or something?
Mucky Tundra (12h) : also, no bueno when a guy starts getting concussions right off the bat in his career
Zero2Cool (12h) : Concussion is worse. Banks probably vet off day via back booboo claim
Mucky Tundra (15h) : @AndyHermanNFL Jordy Nelson out at camp today. No word if he’s in play for one of the two open roster spots ; )
dfosterf (15h) : Is that better or worse than Banks bad back?
Zero2Cool (16h) : Savion concussion ... not good.
packerfanoutwest (24-Jul) : Aaron Rodgers’s first pass of first team period was picked off
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : tbh I didn't hear of his passing
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Cosby Show. Malcom Jamal Warner I think is real name
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : I was thinking of Ozzy and Hulk
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : Who's Theo?
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : How is Theo alliteration?
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : Bad week for people whose names are alliterations
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Hulk Hogan gone too.
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Oh, it's toe injury
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Hope it's not serious. that would stink
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Sounds like an ankle not a knee for Fields
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Ya Flaccp on Browns
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Maybe Tyrod Taylor instead
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : He's on Browns, right?
dfosterf (24-Jul) : They would probably go with Flacco is my guess if Fields out
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Fleece 'em again!
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Malik Willis might be someone Jets come after
packerfanoutwest (24-Jul) : Packers introduce 1923-inspired classic uniform, leather-look helmet
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Both LB Quay Walker and Rookie DB Micah Robinson have passed their physicals
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Happy to see site feels more snappy snappy
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : No sir. I did not.
dfosterf (23-Jul) : You didn't get free childcare when you were at work?
wpr (23-Jul) : These guys make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Pay for their own childcare.
dfosterf (23-Jul) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Suppose if locker room is main issue, we sitting pretty
wpr (23-Jul) : I thought so Mucky. In those useless player polls GB always rates high overall. Locker is a part of it.
Mucky Tundra (23-Jul) : Wasn't the locker room just updated like 6 or 7 years ago?
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : I have forum updated on different site. We'll see how this one goes before going to that
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Elgton Jenkins has a back injury, is expect to end contract dispute
wpr (23-Jul) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
wpr (23-Jul) : The site is much more better.
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
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