Hard Knocks shouldn't be a distraction for Jets
It seems like nobody is a fan of the New York Jets being selected to Hard Knocks this year. Players and coaches were lobbying against being chosen even before the selection was clear. But despite their best efforts to discourage the NFL and HBO from picking them, the inevitable happened last week when it was […]
It seems like nobody is a fan of the New York Jets being selected to Hard Knocks this year. Players and coaches were lobbying against being chosen even before the selection was clear.
But despite their best efforts to discourage the NFL and HBO from picking them, the inevitable happened last week when it was announced the Jets would be featured on the hit HBO docu-series.
Aaron Rodgers didn’t take the news too well when he found out the Jets were officially chosen. “One of the only things I like about ‘Hard Knocks’ is the voice of God, who narrates it, Liev (Schreiber). I hope I get to meet him,” Rodgers said to KPIX. “Look, I understand the appeal with us. Obviously, there’s a lot of eyes on me, a lot of eyes on our team, a lot of expectations for our squad. They forced it down our throats and we have to deal with it.”
What is most surprising is how Jets fans seem to be reacting to their team being featured on the show. Most fans seem to be adamantly against the HBO cameras invading 1 Jets Drive this training camp.
The most common complaint for Jets fans is that Hard Knocks will be a distraction for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in the lifetime of a 6th grader.
In the immortal words of the Jets new quarterback: R-E-L-A-X.
At least when it comes to the whole “distraction” narrative. The idea that the Jets will have all this talent, get a first ballot Hall of Famer at quarterback, have a top five defense, and have reigning offensive and defensive rookies of the year and STILL miss the playoffs because of some cameras in the building is laughable.
Former NFL defensive lineman and Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Golic was on God Bless Football and said the cameras wouldn’t affect the players as much as you think.
“So, here's the thing, anybody who talks about a distraction forgets that these guys are used to having a camera or microphone in their face all the time. Right? So, it's not going to distract them and make them not ready for the season. It's just not right. (The producers) will find out quickly through the first couple episodes who the personality guys are because they always kind of rise to the top. If you're a Jet fan, don't be like ‘Oh no, this is gonna distract us.’ No, it's not” – Mike Golic on the God Bless Football Podcast
Even former Jets offensive lineman Damien Woody, who was on the show back in 2010 when it featured the New York Jets, was quick to dispel the idea that the cameras would distract the team from their ultimate goals.
Jets fans are so used to the idea that the sky is falling (and for good reason) but at some point, it becomes a complex. Bad things have happened to this team, but that will make the eventual victory that much sweeter.
Enjoy this ride Jets fans. We know Rodgers is only a limited time privilege, might as well enjoy as much of it as you can while you can. That includes whatever the HBO cameras catch later this month.
Top five Jets players to watch on “Hard Knocks”
With the official announcement made that the New York Jets will be featured on Hard Knocks this training camp, the lobbying and politicking to not be on the show can stop and the fun can begin. I’ve stated before how the Jets are tailormade to be on the show given the hype surrounding the team, […]
Featured Image via Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
