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In a span of 5 years, the Los Angeles Rams appeared on HBO’s hit series “Hard Knocks” twice. They were on it in 2016 when they first moved to L.A. and again in 2020 with the Chargers, so they know what it’s like to have the cameras around at all times.
The Jets are HBO’s focus this year, which is perfect timing with this being Aaron Rodgers’ first season in New York. Rodgers doesn’t sound thrilled about the fact that his new team will be on “Hard Knocks” and he won’t be the last to voice his displeasure, either.
It’s understandable. Not only will fans have greater access to behind-the-scenes footage of the Jets, but so will their opponents and teams around the NFL. Sean McVay gave his take on why teams usually don’t like being on “Hard Knocks” and it largely has to do with not giving other teams an edge.
“I think the first thing is, when you play in a league that’s so competitive – 32 teams in the league – information is at a premium so you just want to be mindful of not having anything that gives anybody a competitive advantage,” he said at the Variety Sportico Summit. “You’re always looking for your edges and your margins and just the seamless thing of being able to pick up somebody on their cadence and some of the verbiage and vernacular that can maybe give the opposing team an advantage. So there’s some of those things.”
Los Angeles Rams Coach Sean McVay on filming “Hard Knocks” and why some NFL teams are hesitant to let the HBO docuseries film their process. #VarietySporticoSummit pic.twitter.com/3IN2xs5YJ9
— Variety (@Variety) July 13, 2023
McVay also believes that having the cameras around all the time can take away from the authenticity of some conversations that are had in the building and at practice, which is another fair point. Players and coaches may not completely be themselves when they know they’re being filmed.
“The thing that I always had the most difficult time with was, when you have a camera on, is it as authentic as it could be when you know someone’s listening? As opposed to being able to have that real, authentic, true interpersonal interaction. And so it does take away some of that stuff,” he added.
Fortunately for the Rams, they won’t be on the show this year, but they’ve certainly put in more than enough time on “Hard Knocks” over the last decade.
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