Cincinnati Bengals considered for Hard Knocks

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 28, 2009 9:02 PM EDT in Media

So what does the media do with a team that is perceived as having a bad image, character questions and an owner that's nicknamed the "Redeemer"? Obviously you've got to put them on television. ESPN never took advantage of our bad image, because they somehow find a way to stand on the high ground looking down at everyone; including God, President Obama and the Three Amigos.

However HBO has a different take. They figure that the Bengals would look good on their annual training camp series, Hard Knocks. Problem is that no one but us Bengals fans know the truth; that everyone is getting a glimpse at the soon-to-be AFC North Champions. Steelers fans will rip the team and us, no doubt. But we know why. In fact, it's too fold. Madden Curse. Troy Polamalu. And jealousy.

However, nothing is set in stone, Joe Reedy writes.

Both HBO and NFL Films like teams that train away from their home complexes during training camp, which makes the Bengals a fit. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also has experience with what the series entails. He was the defensive coordinator at Baltimore during the first year the series ran in 2001.

There is one factor though that would make this seem like a weird arrangement -- team owner Mike Brown rarely gives interviews anymore (and he would have to be on TV plenty for this series).

Well, so much for that.

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Comments

1. BEAT YOU! http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/4/28/858087/bengals-to-be-featured-on-hbos

2. PFT says it’s a done deal.

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 28, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I noticed that too. Well, #2, not #1. No one beats Kirkendall. (j/k)

They referenced Joe Reedy’s piece (Bengals beat writer for the Enquirer) and his piece is primarily conjecture. He writes that “No final decision has been made though by HBO or NFL Films, which produces the series.”

PFT simply says that they will be, but in the post allows Reedy’s wordage of “might”.

So who knows.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 28, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

k

I don’t click or link PFT anymore so I guess I shouldn’t click or link anyone that says they are saying something.

by shake n bake on Apr 28, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

do we really want this?

i want to fly under the radar and for nfl fans to think we still have a bad rap

by nadfflictar on Apr 28, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

I think it would be nice to get some good PR for a change

and show people that we are not the evil terrorists of the NFL that some national media portray us as. Plus it would be awesome TV for any bengals fan!

by CincyMike56 on Apr 28, 2009 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Wait. I just ditched HBO in favor of Showtime- Dexter being the reason.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 28, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

I can’t see anything good coming from cameras being on 85 non-stop through training camp

by R.F. Mehl on Apr 28, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Neither can I.

by FriarBob on Apr 28, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

as soon as they strayed from him he'd HAVE to do something crazy to bring them back

that man loves him some attention, that’s for sure.

by shake n bake on Apr 29, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

if this wont get chad excited to play for the Bengals than nothing will

by Joe Goodberry on Apr 28, 2009 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

That was my thought.

He might have a career year now.

On the other hand, disgruntled wide receiver, cameras, known for being a chatty Cathy.
Yikes!

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 28, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

hard knocks

Every team which has done the show has pretty much sucked during the following season. Of course, the reverse may happen in Cincy, and it sure would be entertaining to see Marvin and Ocho interact all training camp. None the less, I don’t want to see the show happen.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Apr 29, 2009 12:35 AM EDT reply actions

And Now Starring In....

The Ocho Cinco Show…..What good does this exposure really do for us anyway ? I hope this never gets off the ground.

by laibach on Apr 29, 2009 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

No.

That’s pretty much my opinion.

No.

CBBP is right; everybody who has been on this show, from the Chefs to the ’Pokes has royally stunk up the place during the season following their appearance, so…

No.

N-O…NO.

by TheWalrus1971 on Apr 29, 2009 1:40 AM EDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure it's a done deal.

I think it was on the Enquirer site but I’ve heard from a bunch of places now that it’s set.

Look, it could be a distraction, sure. But there’s already a thousand cameras and reporters everywhere in training camp. The players enjoy the publicity and hopefully it motivates them to play. We could all sit around and worry about whether it will efect the season or not, but we won’t have any idea until the series is over anyway, and even then we probably never will. So let’s all just enjoy it because it’s a really good show and we’ve NEVER gotten this kind of access to the Bengals. Plus I think it will do wonders for their public image.

by eric nyc on Apr 29, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

On further reflection

I kind of like the idea of being able to get a more in depth look at the players, coaches, and camp in general- without having to trek all the way to Georgetown and sit in the hot sun to do it. It could be a platform for Chad to be a douchenozzle but it also might keep some of the borderline personalities in check. Guess I’ll have to switch back to HBO…

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 29, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

"Guess I’ll have to switch back to HBO…"

Corporate media at its best!

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 29, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

chad will eat this up

I think you’re looking at this wrong, chad loves the spotlight so having this around will just motivate him more, if there were NO cameras around then he’d get sullen and start acting out

i don’t really put much faith into any jinx, so if it happens I would just be excited for the extra coverage — living on the west coast it’s a little hard to get good Bengals coverage so this would be awesome!

by swebbIL on Apr 30, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions