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Are the Jets Resisting a 'Hard Knocks' Request?
For a number of reasons, ranging from the team's postseason drought to the addition of Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets seem like the perfect fit for HBO's "Hard Knocks."
The Jets do not qualify for any of the exempting circumstances that allow teams to decline a "Hard Knocks" offer, and television executives are likely salivating over the idea of featuring Gang Green on the summertime documentary series.
With no word of which team will host the HBO cameras come training camp yet, I'm starting to believe the Jets are the choice and they're trying to find a way out of it.
It's probable that NFL Films approached Gang Green but met an unwilling participant.
"I haven't gotten word [about the participating team] or anything like that," said third-year head coach Robert Saleh prior to OTAs practice on June 9. "I know there are several teams that would love for 'Hard Knocks' to be in their building, we're just not of them."
Whether Saleh likes it or not, there's a good chance that the NFL will get what it wants.
If HBO and NFL Films see the Jets as the best option, and the team doesn't meet any of the exemption criteria, then how else could this possibly play out?
Does owner Woody Johnson ask a favor of the League? Do NFL executives eventually strong-arm Gang Green into participating?
Do Jets' executives share the same opinion as Saleh? Maybe, the head coach gets overruled on this one.
"Let's just say there are some higher-ups with the Jets, who, if they were on 'Hard Knocks,' would probably not be very upset by it," said NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on the "Pat McAfee Show" earlier this week.
Rapoport suggested that the cameras are not as much of a distraction as some may believe.
"NFL Films does an awesome job," said Rapoport. "They treat players right, so even though football people are a little weary of it, it seems like the product and the treatment has been really good."
With the Jets poised for an early training camp start date due to their participation in the Hall of Fame Game, one would think a decision has to be announced relatively soon.
My educated guess is that the Jets are the choice, and the NFL will squash any resistance in the near future.
Jets Country contributor Amanda Shinn made the case for the Green & White as a no-brainer option in "Jets May Be Strongest Contender for HBO's 'Hard Knocks'.'"
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