Three Topics that Must Be Addressed during 'Hard Knocks' Finale
There are only 60 minutes remaining, but that is plenty of time to do what needs to be done.
The "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets" series finale will go live on Tuesday night, September 5 at 10:00 pm ET, less than one week away from Gang Green's September 11 season opener on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.
The first four episodes have provided adequate entertainment. They have all had moments of brilliance, but the series needs a strong finish. I'd be perfectly fine with another "Flowbee" segment and more allusion to "The Sopranos," but there are three stories I need to see in Episode 5.
I do NOT need to see rookie edge rusher Will McDonald getting his wisdom teeth pulled at last week's dentist appointment. The visit to the seedy piercings joint that we witnessed during Episode 2 was more than enough.
Here are three suggested segments that would make the docuseries finale a memorable one.
Where's Vito
This is starting to resemble "The Sopranos" where the viewer never finds out what happens to the Slava's friend Valery, a former Russian special forces officer, after the legendary "Pine Barrens" episode. After escaping Paulie's trunk, Valery disappears into the woods and is never seen again.
For reasons unknown, creator David Chase never revisits the character's whereabouts later in the series. Will this be the case for Vito Contento in "Hard Knocks"?
Contento, the Jets' senior equipment manager, is one of the first characters that we meet in the series-opening episode. As Aaron Rodgers arrive at the practice field with the cameras rolling, the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback has an interaction with Contento.
"I'm gonna make you famous today, Vito," said Rodgers to the veteran staff member.
Next, Rodgers looks into the camera.
"See, Vito's a little upset because the last time 'Hard Knocks' was here, he didn't get a lot of airtime."
Unfortunately, that was the last we saw of Vito. While he's probably still grinding behind the scenes, the show's producers are treating him like he just joined the Witness Protection Program.
Brownlee and Gipson Get the Call
There were reports revealing that one of the Jets' organizational objections to starring in "Hard Knocks" was the docuseries' habit of showing players receiving the dreaded visit from the Turk and being cut. Fair enough.
Instead, how about highlighting the joy that hits when an undrafted rookie learns that he made the team?
The Jets kept two undrafted rookie receivers on their 53-man roster, making unforgettable moments for Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson. It would be a treat to get a glimpse of the two men at the moment they learned the news.
There could be a comedic element to Gipson's story as well. While speaking to reporters last week, the Stephen F. Austin product mentioned that he was initially tricked into thinking that he was being cut.
"I really thought they were about to release me," said Gipson. "They kinda tricked me into thinking I was gonna get released and then he finally said, 'You made the team.'"
Look at Family Life
Seeing the human side of our football heroes is almost always an insightful experience and what is more human than a man's interactions with his family.
Some of the more compelling moments delivered by "Hard Knocks" over the course of its 20-year history have come from featuring the family life of select players and coaches. The Randall and Ayida Cobb pregnancy reveal makes the list, but there is more to explore.
The most-sensible place to start is head coach Robert Saleh. His son made a cameo in Episode 3, but we haven't learned much more about the Saleh family since the revelation that the Jets' coach is a father of seven. With dad occupied by the rigorous time demands that come with an NFL head coaching job, Mrs. Saleh is likely doing some heroic parenting in attempt to meet the needs of seven children.
If a Saleh family profile is not in the cards, then how about an interaction between a player and parent? A call to mom or dad after making the team? A motivational conversation with a family member? A heartwarming moment between father and child?
Here's to hoping they end the series the right way.
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