Football Fans Want To See The Lions On Hard Knocks

by Sean Yuille on May 19, 2011 12:32 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

Earlier this week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned down an offer to be the team featured on this year's HBO Hard Knocks. This means the show doesn't have a team lined up just yet, although without a CBA training camp isn't even lined up yet.

Regardless, the search is on for a team to be on the show if there is indeed training camp this year. There's no word on which team is the new favorite is to be on Hard Knocks, but based on an ESPN poll that has more than 16,000 votes, people want it to be the Detroit Lions.

While it would certainly be cool to get an inside look at the Lions, it's probably not going to happen. Jim Schwartz said last year when asked about the show that the Lions want some things to remain private and he doesn't want the distraction for the players. That's definitely understandable. Somebody like Rex Ryan embraced the cameras being around, but Schwartz (and Martin Mayhew for that matter) is much bigger on keeping things behind closed doors.

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I didn't watch last year

I did see the foot fetish video Ryan did as well as the nude photos he took of his wife. I assume the show was just like that but stretched out for an hour each week.

Personally, I think the Falcons would be a better team to look at. The window for the guys they have is starting to close and that it is now or never; as evidenced by their insane grab for Julio Jones. A lot of their stars are about to retire (Abraham, Gonzalez) or going to eventually get hurt (Turner). I think that desperation will lend to some good tv.

Albeit less foot fetish/50 year old nude soccer mom kind of good tv.

by ATL Lion on May 19, 2011 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Don't worry about it...

They usually put good teams on Hard Knocks anyway.

by EVT on May 19, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

No

They usually put up freakshows. That’s what people want to see. That’s why the Jets were on last year and the Bengals prior. I know they have Oakland on their radar.

Good teams are boring because they don’t have the kinds of crazy drama that people want to watch on TV.

by ATL Lion on May 20, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I don't want to see any Lion

Sitting on a helmet reading off of a cue card all 30 of his childrens names. Just don’t want to see any thing like that again.Who was that. . . .Cromartie???

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on May 19, 2011 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

I would love to get an inside look at the Lions like this.

This could be this century’s version of “Paper Lion”. Is George Plimpton still alive? Have him try out for that fourth WR spot.

It is nice to see that the Lions have so many fans interested. Kudos to the Lions PR department.

"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."

by NorthLeft12 on May 19, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I think a dead Plimpton has a shot at taking Bryant Johnson’s spot.

by ATL Lion on May 19, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

This doesnt surprise me in the least

There are few more appealing sports stories than ‘Going From Rags To Riches’ Whats now developing with us could, could mind you, could become one of the greatest ‘Rags To Riches’ sports stories in modern history. HBO would just dearly love to be on the inside of that story.

by YpsilantiJeff on May 19, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting

They mentioned this poll on NFL Live yesterday too. I think it is interesting that the Lions beat out a couple of the big fan base teams.

Lions fan down in LA (lower Alabama)

by FusterMT on May 19, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

ooh linked from deadspin

lions are big time now

by redwingxviii on May 19, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

While it would be cool to see, It also does not bother me in the least to not see the Lions doing this

I tend to agree with Schwartz. While the potential for good can be manufactured from it, the same can be achieved in media interviews and such, which the Lions have already done. Mayhew has already come out and said that he expects the Lions to challenge for the division this year. Suh has already said that he sees no reason why we cannot win 16 games this year. The bar has already been raised in the organization to a reasonable level. Win the Division, make the playoffs, or at least give it an honest run.

The financial benefits of Hard Knocks, small increase in jersey or ticket sales, can be achieved and surpassed with good performances on Monday Night Football and Thanksgiving Day, along with the playoffs.

So while it would be nice for us fans, the potential to give away key insights to the Lions organization, and their players, to opponents is too great to risk without any real rewards for it. Thanks but no thanks HBO, try looking for a team that is more concerned about ego and looking good than being good. Maybe the Cowboys, Bengals, or Jets, oh wait, they have already done it!

It will be interesting to see who does it, because it will say a lot about what kind of organization they are. My bets are on the Seahawks.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on May 19, 2011 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

I would love to see this, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Especially would be interesting to see the position battles and learn more about the relatively unknown guys who are just trying to make the team.

by WestsideLionsFan on May 19, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Is it just me or is the bandwagon getting a little full?

Where were all these lions fans when we went 0-16 but still called ourselves fans?

Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose.

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on May 19, 2011 3:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Good question.

I won’t knock it though. The Lions could always use more fan support and if that translates into more league support, the more the better.

"We're looking to improve this team every day, every week, every month until we get to our ultimate goal which is to win a championship."
-Martin Mayhew Detroit Lions GM, Master of the Universe
"Fairies don’t win championships. Bad Ass Mofo’s Do!"- Kevinz418

by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on May 19, 2011 3:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

can u blame them?

can’t control what other people do so i say the more the merrier.

by KFFE on May 19, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

There is nothing funnier and stranger about this entire phenomenon

than the bandwagon Lions fan. A couple of 3 good drafts and a 4 game winning streak and you get insta-fans. I wonder what a division title would bring out of the woodwork?

by YpsilantiJeff on May 19, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

You'd be suprised

probably people from wisconsin..“I’ve always liked the Lions glad they are doing so well”

Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose.

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on May 19, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair

I’ve always liked the Packers and I’m glad they’re doing so well. But I’m definitely not on their bandwagon, I’d be totally content with them taking second in the division next year.

by Mavyrk on May 19, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I always like Favre

once he left I quit giving a crap lol

Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose !

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on May 19, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Not my fault

You guys draft Suh last year and turned most every Nebraska fan’s Sunday shirt to Honolulu Blue. I have one with a big number 90 on it, and another one with a 93 in case the first gets dirty before church (church = NFL red zone of course).

by 34Horsemen on May 21, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

0-16

I watched every game that season, and every game I was like “they’re going to win this one.” I drank the kool aid and jumped on this band wagon long long ago.

LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!

by BBlades on May 19, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you're always more vocal when things are going well...

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on May 19, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I jumped on this bandwagon in 2000

Have never got off since.

"We’re looking to improve this team every day, every week, every month until we get to our ultimate goal, which is to win a championship. We have a long way to go," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew

by Lionsfan8 on May 20, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I've Been On The Bandwagon Since 1974

Imagine what I’ve been through (lol). Still, I wouldn’t have it any other way, (ah, the Barry years). Sigh.

by LionTarHeel on May 20, 2011 4:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Too bad I missed there Barry Years, or any good years for that fact ha

by Lionsfan8 on May 20, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be fun.

It would be great for us fans but a possible distraction for our guys. Whatever happens, happens. Btw, what’s up with the Steelers fans in Arkansas?

by Home in Cleveland, Heart in Detroit on May 19, 2011 3:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

at first

i didn’t like the idea. now that we’re well on our way to becoming contenders, i would love to see them on the show. i think the show would pull in the biggest ratings for them thus far if the lions were on it cuz people are curious and excited for us and i really wanna see how a first class organization is run. i also think it’s time for them to open their doors up and let the legions of true die hard fans see how the inner workings of the team are handled. if not this year then definitely next year. just my opinion on the matter.

by KFFE on May 19, 2011 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

alright now i'm torn

about it. just read tom’s article about him asking the players if they wanna be on the show and 99.9% said no. they have the insider info about it so i guess i’m with them now. i still think it could be cool to see them on the show and see what schwartz and co are like behind the scenes but maybe not. if the players don’t wanna be on it then that definitely makes it about 55 yes/45 no for me. if the lions could control what was shown and what wasn’t maybe that’d be more into the idea but since that ain’t gonna happen….

by KFFE on May 19, 2011 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

I'm with Schwartz.

Pass. Let some other clowns dance under the spotlight.

by Jamesir Bensonmum on May 19, 2011 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Let Green Bay have the added distractons

Clear eyes, Full hearts, Can't lose.

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on May 19, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

Randomly Arkansas wants to see the Steelers?

'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela

"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011

by Nate D. on May 19, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions