HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ recap: Friday Night Lights
Rise up!
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There’s a moment towards the beginning of HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Atlanta Falcons” where head coach Mike Smith greets rookie Ra’Shede Hageman in his office wearing Teva sandles. After once turning down HBO’s offer to be on “Hard Knocks,” the Falcons seem pretty comfortable with the 30-person NFL Films crew following their every move. Despite the skepticism from reporters and fans alike, the opening episode proved entertaining and mostly harmless to the well-being of the team, unless you count the rookies versus vets beef as a thing.
In the words of running back Steven Jackson, “Regardless of what your paycheck reflect, you’ve still got feelings and emotions.” That sentiment more or less breaks down the genius behind the Emmy-winning, cinema verité-style sports reality show, and why it succeeds at being some of the best television around. Over the course of the next few weeks we’ll witness men competing for, in some instances, their livelihood. There’s no “Bachelorette” they’re trying to seduce, or “Amazing Race” they’re looking to finish. It’s either you make the squad or you hop in the unemployment line.
Instead of a play by play, we’ll break this week’s ep down by the most memorable characters and moments leading up to their Friday Night Lights scrimmage.
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The Coach
You must know this isn’t Smitty’s first time doing “Hard Knocks.” As an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens, the Falcons’ sideline general was featured on the very first season of the show in 2001. In this ep we basically learn what most fans already know, which is that Smitty is a player’s coach. He doesn’t curse too much (one F-bomb in the coaches meeting by my count), and during his last stint on the show he rocked a mustache that would’ve made Tom Selleck blush. He seems to have the respect of the players, but I’m eager to see him interact some more with upper management: general manager Thomas Dimitroff and owner Arthur Blank.
The Receivers
If you follow Roddy White on Twitter then you probably know already that he’s quite the talker. His verbal battles with safety William Moore offered some good laughs this ep, but the whole time I just thought, “So does Julio Jones just not talk?” There’s also local kid Harry Douglas who’s married to Ms. Georgia International 2014 and uses women’s deodorant. With the latter, I’m not judging. My roommate freshman year of college used to do the same thing. Guess we’re all sleeping on that Secret.
The Rookies
Led by Jake Matthews, the Falcons first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, these rookies clearly give no fucks. From Matthews’ fight with Kroy Biermann (whose wife Kim Zolciak Biermann of “Real House Wives of Atlanta” fame shows up a good bit) to Jacques Smith’s willingness to brawl with seemingly everyone, the new kids seem to be at the center of the action and comedy. You’ll probably find yourself rooting for running back Devonta Freeman, as well as small-school athletic freak and family man, Tyler Starr. The aforementioned Hageman’s rendition of R. Kelly’s “Feeling On Your Booty” might’ve been the best rookie moment from last night.
Steven Jackson aka S. Jax
Like last season, the running back spends a lot of this ep nursing an injury, but we learn a good bit about him without the ball in his hands. Jackson is also an artist who goes by the name of S. Jax, whose paintings and photography we see being showcased at an LA art gallery early on in the ep. S. Jax is also quite the motivational speaker and has taken to rookie Freeman and others, trying to guide and remind them that they’re “brothers.”
WTF Moment of the Episode
Peria Jerry, the 2009 first-round pick, blindsides the entire team when he decides to retire at age 29. Smitty looks straight up dumbfounded when Jerry basically tells him he has no backup plan and gets all cryptic about his decision. 2nd place: the assistant coach using women’s nipples in an analogy attempting to explain the mechanics of tackling.
Best Quote
“Only winners in this household.” — Miss Georgia International aka Harry Douglas’ wife
Missing in Action
We need more D-Block! Also, looks like we’ll being some more of Dimitroff, the return of Sean Weatherspoon, and more next week. Oh, aside from a ride to Flowery Branch in car with Matt Ryan, we don’t get too much into the life of the $100 million man off the field. The public must know! OK, maybe just me.]