The Jets premiere of “Onerous Knocks” is Aug. 8 on HBO, however the entire present is already within the hurry-up offense.
For the reason that Jets didn’t wish to be the topic of the long-running HBO collection, they had been solely formally introduced as the principle attraction on Monday with coaching camp set to kick off Wednesday. The collection of the staff is often introduced by Might.
So all the pieces is a bit in overdrive to set all of the boundaries and put all of it collectively.
Even with all that, the person who had maybe essentially the most well-known line — about snacks, because it was — within the 18-year historical past of the Sports activities Emmy Award-winning present stated the Jets are going to “kick ass” this season and being on this system received’t be that huge of a deal.
“No coach desires to do ‘Onerous Knocks,’ ” Rex Ryan, the previous Jets coach, “Onerous Knocks” 2010 star and now ESPN NFL analyst, advised The Submit. “No person desires to do it.”
The 2023 Jets actually didn’t wish to do it, which is why it took so lengthy for them to be named. Sources stated the Jets are hesitant to permit cameras in conferences or have participant cuts filmed, that are annual “Onerous Knocks’” components.
Whereas the Jets and NFL Movies declined to remark for this column, we had been assured they are going to be skilled. NFL Movies has a historical past with the staff and its gamers, which might easy issues out reasonably rapidly. The Jets do have expertise with their very own cameras with the native Emmy-winning YouTube collection, “1 Jets Drive.”
The Jets in-house program will come out on Mondays throughout camp, whereas “Onerous Knocks” will probably be each Tuesday for 5 weeks.
Even for “Onerous Knocks,” groups have the chance to evaluate episodes earlier than they air, however we had been advised that’s primarily to ensure there have been no technical elements left in that opponents might exploit.
To that time, Rams Tremendous Bowl successful coach and one other “Onerous Knocks” veteran, Sean McVay, stated at a latest Sportico occasion that he thinks being on the present is a aggressive drawback.
That will or will not be true, however what’s fairly clear is most groups don’t wish to take part. The Jets had been certainly one of 4 groups eligible to be picked, if nobody volunteered.
Groups which have a first-year head coach, made the playoffs the previous two years or have been featured on this system throughout the final decade don’t must do it.
The Commanders, additionally eligible, reportedly wished in, however the NFL was cautious with the sale by proprietor Dan Snyder ongoing, whereas the Saints and Bears additionally apparently objected. Anyway, the Jets had been the apparent selection with Aaron Rodgers on the scene.
Final week, Rodgers stated the NFL “compelled it down [the Jets] throats.” Ryan batted away the notion that Rodgers will probably be troublesome as a result of he’s snug in his personal pores and skin.
“I believe Aaron Rodgers goes to be freaking nice,” Ryan stated. “Aaron Rodgers is extraordinarily assured in himself. Yeah, he’s totally different, however so what? He embraces it. He ain’t a man that’s going to run from something. He might care much less. He’s going to be him and I believe that’s nice. I believe individuals will take pleasure in it.”
Rodgers and NFL Movies have a protracted historical past. They’ve labored collectively numerous occasions over his legendary profession. So possibly he will probably be amenable. If not, Sauce Gardner or Garrett Wilson may very well be the star of the present.
No matter they do, it is going to be arduous to have as memorable a efficiency as Ryan. His most lasting second was a fiery speech to his staff after which ended it with, “Let’s go eat a goddamn snack!”
The 2010 Jets had been the gold customary of “Onerous Knocks.” Ryan didn’t wish to do it initially, however then rapidly determined he and the staff had nothing to cover.
Robert Saleh, you’re up.
