HBO's 'Hard Knocks' Will Feature Miami Dolphins

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Dolphins Were Only Team Offered 'Hard Knocks', HBO Says

One of the offseason story lines this year has been HBO's search for a team to do their training camp series "Hard Knocks." The Miami Dolphins accepted the offer on Wednesday, the team announced, but that was only after a number of teams reportedly turned it down. Among the teams who reportedly turned down 'Hard Knocks' are the Seahawks, Texans, 49ers, Redskins and Falcons.

But if you ask a producer from "Hard Knocks", no one else was really offered the show.

There were reports other NFL teams had turned down offers to do "Hard Knocks." NFL Films senior coordinating producer Ross Ketover disputed those claims.

"We cast a wide net," Ketover said. "We talk to a lot of teams to gauge their interest. Some are very interested. Some are interested with caveats that are not acceptable with us. Others say we'll do it in future years. Others are not interested.

This sounds like a technicality more than anything. "Hard Knocks" approaches a team about their interest in doing it -- we're calling that an "offer" -- and the team tells them they're not interested. Now, is that an offer to be on the show? Maybe not, but it's semantics.

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HBO Wants A Team For 'Hard Knocks' By June 1

HBO is struggling to find an NFL team that wants to let the cameras get up close and personal for the 2012 season of "Hard Knocks." The New York Post reported on Friday that the network wants to have a team committed by June 1 in order to start preparations to film during training camp.

The Broncos, Jets, Falcons, Redskins, Seahawks, Texans and 49ers have all declined an offer or have preemptively declared a lack of interest.

Citing inside sources, the Post report says the absence of NFL Films President Steve Sabol, who is battling brain cancer, is the main reason HBO is having trouble finding a willing subject. NFL Films helps produce the show, and Sabol's involvement has been crucial to making it happen, including convincing teams to appear on the show.

So far, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only team to have publicly expressed a willingness to appear on the show. They may get it by default.

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Seahawks Not Interested In 'Hard Knocks'

It appears as though the producers of the HBO documentary series "Hard Knocks" is systematically asking every NFL team whether they'd like to be the focus of this year's season before finally getting around to the inevitable.

Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk reports that the Seattle Seahawks were approached by "Hard Knocks," but declined to be a part of the series.

[Seahawks general manager John] Schneider said the Seahawks weren't formally offered the spot, but that when they were approached, they decided they didn't want to do it.

The Seahawks can now be tossed on the pile of teams who have turned down the show, along with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans and more.

The only team that has ever expressed public interest in being a part of "Hard Knocks" -- and has done so from the beginning -- is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags aren't an attractive option for HBO, but may end up being an inevitable decision.

For all news and information regarding the Seattle Seahawks, please visit Field Gulls or stop by SB Nation Seattle.

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Houston Texans Also Turn Down HBO For 'Hard Knocks'

The HBO documentary series "Hard Knocks" has not yet announced which NFL team it will follow during the 2012 season. This is probably because no team seems readily willing to be the subject. You can add yet another team to the list of clubs that have chosen not to participate.

According to John McClain at the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans have turned down a chance to be the stars of "Hard Knocks" this year.

As the list of the (arguably) compelling teams begins to dwindle, the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have become the favorites to be the stars by default. The Jaguars are one of the few teams that have publicly expressed an interest in being on the show. If other teams continue to decline, the Jags may be HBO's only option.

For all news and information regarding the Houston Texans, please visit Battle Red Blog or check out SB Nation Houston.

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Redskins, 49ers Not Interested In 'Hard Knocks' Appearance

Apparently, NFL teams feel like they already have enough free publicity. Teams keep turning down the chance to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks." The latest teams to make it clear they aren't interested in the premium cable documentary are the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.

San Francisco CEO Jed York told the world via Twitter on Wednesday that the team had no interest in the show. York said that they did not want the "distraction" as the team prepares for a follow up to its surprising 13-3 season.

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan told Pro Football Talk that he did not want the camera's intrusion, either.

"You know, I can't be myself. I don't think coaches can be their self and I'd like players to concentrate on their job. I don't know if it's old school or what. You know, for me I just didn't feel comfortable with that atmosphere."

Shanahan also revealed that he turned down HBO while he was coaching the Broncos.

That may leave the Jacksonville Jaguars as the favorites to land the part by default. The Jaguars are the only team with a confirmed interest in appearing on the show.

For more on the Jaguars, check out Big Cat Country. For more 49ers coverage, head over to Niners Nation. For all things Redskins, visit Hogs Haven.

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Falcons Pass On HBO Hard Knocks, Series May Target Jaguars And Jets

The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly declined to be on HBO's reality series Hard Knocks, which peers in on one NFL team's training camp each summer, and inevitably stirs up drama and storylines off-the-field. The Falcons were targeted as the featured team for the 2012 edition, after HBO's informal inquiries with the New York Jets did not materialize into an official offer. The Falcons apparently discussed the opportunity to be on the show in each branch and at every level of the organization, but decided against it, citing the off-the-field attention, according to a report from ESPN's Pat Yasinskas.

With the Falcons passing, HBO could zero in on the Jacksonville Jaguars, or initiate a second round of talks with the Jets again, according to the report. Jets' owner Woody Johnson is keen on the idea, stating that the show adds "tremendous value" from the widespread exposure. His coach, Rex Ryan, is lukewarm on being featured again in the series. The Jaguars are continually looking to attract additional publicity and attention in the Jacksonville area, and their new owner Shad Khan may be receptive to hosting HBO at the Jags' training camp this summer.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic and check out SB Nation Atlanta.