Hard Knocks (TV series)

Infobox Television
bgcolour = #FFOOOO
show_name = Hard Knocks


caption =
genre = Sports
Reality television
Documentary series
creator = Marty Callner
developer = HBO Sports
NFL Films
presenter =
starring = Baltimore Ravens (2001)
Dallas Cowboys (2002)
Kansas City Chiefs {2007)
Dallas Cowboys (2008)
voices =
narrated = Paul Rudd (2007)
Liev Schreiber (2001-2002, 2008)
theme_music_composer = Dave Robidoux
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer = Dave Robidoux
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 3
num_episodes = 20 (as of August 20, 2008)
(6 in 2001, 6 in 2002, 5 in 2007, 3 in 2008)
list_episodes =
producer = Ken Rodgers
Keith Cossrow
executive_producer = Steve Sabol
Rick Bernstein
Ross Greenburg
location = Varies
camera =
runtime = ~55 minutes (commercial-free)
network = HBO
picture_format = 480i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
audio_format = Stereo
Dolby Digital 5.1
first_run =
first_aired = 2001–2002
2007–present
last_aired =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website = http://www.hbo.com/hardknocks/
imdb_id = 0446622
tv_com_id = 314

"Hard Knocks" is a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. The series follows a select National Football League team through its training camp and provides an in-depth perspective of the team's preparation for the upcoming season. The series is described as one of the fastest turnaround reality series in television history. The series covers the team's preparations for the upcoming season and provides viewers with team inside jokes and pranks, players' family matters, and position battles. The series especially focuses on rookies' adjustments to the NFL, usually with the team's highest draft selection and an undrafted or journeyman that looks to make the team.

Baltimore Ravens (2001)

The series with the Ravens covered:
* The team looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
* Rookies Todd Heap and Dwayne Missouri's adjustment to professional football.
* The team's adjustment after a season-ending injury to Jamal Lewis.
* The veterans on the team in the final years of their careers (Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson, Qadry Ismail, and Tony Siragusa).
* The quarterback competition between Elvis Grbac and Randall Cunningham.
* Ozzie Newsome and Brian Billick's management of the team.

Dallas Cowboys (2002)

The Cowboys' first series covered:
* Quincy Carter's pressure to stay the consistent starting quarterback and the acquisition of Chad Hutchinson as a backup quarterback.
* Rookie Roy Williams' adjustment to professional football.
* Emmitt Smith beginning his final season in Dallas.
* Dave Campo heading into his third (and eventually, final) season as Dallas' head coach.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2004)

In the summer of 2004, the NFL Network produced a similar series following the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the series was not broadcast on HBO. The one-time series was called "Inside Training Camp: Jaguars Summer". [ [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061604/jag_15874327.shtml Jaguars will camp under big spotlight] "Jacksonville.com", 16 June 2004.]

Kansas City Chiefs (2007)

The series returned on August 8, 2007 when the series followed the Kansas City Chiefs and their preparations for the 2007 season. [http://kcchiefs.com/news/2007/06/02/chiefs_to_be_featured_in_hbos_hard_knocks_this_summer/ Chiefs to be featured in HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer] "KCChiefs.com", 2 June 2007.] The series with the Chiefs covered:
* The battle for the starting quarterback job between veteran Damon Huard and second-year player Brodie Croyle following the trade of Trent Green.
* Star running back Larry Johnson's contract holdout.
* Priest Holmes' attempted return to football after missing all of 2006 after a career-threatening neck injury.
* The holdout and development of rookie first-round wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.
* Boomer Grigsby's switch from linebacker to fullback.
* The development of rookie defensive linemen Tank Tyler and Turk McBride.
* The competition between two undrafted cornerbacks - Tyron Brackenridge and Dimitri Patterson.
* Arena Football League star Bobby Sippio's attempt to catch on an outdoor team

Dallas Cowboys (2008)

The Dallas Cowboys were once again chronicled on the television series' fourth season, which premiered on August 6, 2008. [ [http://www.hbo.com/sports/index.shtml HBO Online: Sports ] ] The series with the Cowboys covered:
* Adam "Pacman" Jones reinstatement into the NFL.
* Keon Lattimore, younger brother of Ray Lewis competing for a roster spot.
* Todd Lowber, athletic wide receiver who is new to the game of football, trying to make the team.
* Undersized receiver Danny Amendola, competing for a roster spot.
* Rookies Felix Jones and Martellus Bennett adjusting to NFL camp for the first time. Bennett shows his soft side.

ee also

*2001 Baltimore Ravens season
*2002 Dallas Cowboys season
*2007 Kansas City Chiefs season
*2008 Dallas Cowboys season

References

External links

* [http://www.hbo.com/hardknocks/ HBO's Hard Knocks official website]