ESPN Blog: It's a 'Hard Knocks' life for Jerry

[WoodysGirl]

August 7, 2008 10:53 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

While Americans tried to follow the latest Brett Favre news, HBO rolled out its first installment of "Hard Knocks" on Wednesday. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had hoped for more buzz leading up to the debut, but the Favre story has pretty much trumped anything happening in training camp.

From now on, I'll offer a complete review of "Hard Knocks" each Thursday morning, but last night I was flying back from Commanders camp and missed the first episode. Through the magic of YouTube, I've been able to piece together at least 22 minutes and I'll watch the rest of it later today.

As I'd feared, Jerry is once again the lead actor -- and I mean that literally. The conversation in which he called to let Terry Glenn's agent know the receiver had been cut seemed a bit forced. I kept expecting someone from NFL Films to run out and yell cut at any minute.

What NFL Films does best is take amazing pictures. I was sitting in the media tent last week banging out some blog entries when I heard the awful collision between running back Marion Barber and rookie linebacker Tyson Smith during a blitz pickup drill. When I arrived on the scene, the former Iowa State player was searching for his teeth. NFL Films captured the violence of the hit perfectly.

Head coach Wade Phillips appears to be having the time of his life as he walks around camp telling everyone about Adam "Pacman" Jones fielding a sixth punt while he already had five footballs in his arms. He even punctuated the story with a well-timed SOB.

I love the fact that the poor man's Bud Greenspan doing the voiceover work treats this thing like a war documentary. He finds the most ominous tone in his arsenal to introduce us to young Adam Jones, who greets viewers with a scowl.

The one clip from "Hard Knocks" that's all over the Internet this morning is linebacker DeMarcus Ware setting up rookie running back Felix Jones for a prank. The two are engaged in some mindless chatter when a stealthy Pacman appears on the balcony and pours a bucket of water on Jones.

I'm pretty sure I heard Ware compare Pacman's dumping motion to "Free Willy," which is such an odd but wonderful description. After a few seconds, Pacman deadpans, "Welcome to the Dallas Cowboys."

The most awkward moment of the show (other than secondary coach Dave Campo getting pantsed) came when Jerry Jones put his hands on third-year receiver Sam Hurd's shoulders and told him that Glenn was being released. Hurd thought about the news for a moment and then skipped away saying, "Mr. Jones, Mr. Jones, I'm here."

In a classic moment, Jones pointed at the player several times and then said dismissively, "OK, Sam."

All in all, the part I saw was pretty entertaining. But I'm anxious to hear what you thought.

Still trying to figure out why PR chief Rich Dalrymple was introducing the head coach to the team in one scene. Hasn't Wade been around for a little while?

What were your thoughts?

 

[WoodysGirl]

Newy Scruggs Blog

Hard Knocks Review

Published August 7, 2008 Cowboys , NFL , Tony Romo 0 Comments

I was not down for the Cowboys doing the HBO Hard Knocks show back in the spring. I just thought it would be a circus and an unneeded sideshow. I saw the first episode and I thought the show was tastefully done.

I was happy to see head coach Wade Phillips get some positive air time. He is a good guy and he really is a good football coach.

The part they showed about Jason Witten being a family guy is true. His wife Michelle is a good person and they are a really loving family.

They got it right on rookie Martellus Bennett. He’s a guy you have to stay on. Sometimes I got the feeling he didn’t want to be out at practice or have to put in work after practice.

He has talent, but I wonder when the light will go on for him. Talent is not enough in the NFL. If he can mix hard work, drive and passion with his talent, he will become a Pro Bowl player.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Still trying to figure out why PR chief Rich Dalrymple was introducing the head coach to the team in one scene. Hasn't Wade been around for a little while?

Personally, I find Rich Dalrymple a jerk.

Thanks,
nyc

 

[diekrazy]

I loved it. I didn't get in from work till like 11PM. I realized around midnight that I had DVR'd the show and stayed up to watch it. It was awesome. I never watched the first time they followed the Cowboys but it was great to see all what is going on around and in camp. I too was a little puzzled as to why he was introducing Wade maybe it was for the purpose of the show only.

All I know is that I want to watch more!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It's funny because if you seen the first Hard Knocks and then you see this one with Campo in the Huddle...you just knew, just knew, something funny was going to happen.

If the first hard knocks he says something like...Ok Team on 3.

So he goes to do the count and does it like this.

One Two....TEAM!!! To which everyone looks at him like an idiot and starts laughing.

This had that same feel to it when they were in the huddle and he was getting the snap and slide backwards...then bang he gets pants. :laugh2:

 

[WoodysGirl]

It's funny because if you seen the first Hard Knocks and then you see this one with Campo in the Huddle...you just knew, just knew, something funny was going to happen.

If the first hard knocks he says something like...Ok Team on 3.

So he goes to do the count and does it like this.

One Two....TEAM!!! To which everyone looks at him like an idiot and starts laughing.

This had that same feel to it when they were in the huddle and he was getting the snap and slide backwards...then bang he gets pants. :laugh2:

What was funny about him getting pantsed is later Wade says "We're implementing a new rule per Campo's request."

 

[YosemiteSam]

What was funny about him getting pantsed is later Wade says "We're implementing a new rule per Campo's request."

I find what they did very disrespectful and disrespecting a coach is generally not a good sign.

Thankfully, my wife was talking to me at the time and I missed any visually distrubing scenes.

 

[Chief]

I find what they did very disrespectful and disrespecting a coach is generally not a good sign.

To me, it was funny, but it was sort of uncomfortable too because, like you said, it was disrespectful. It's hard to believe Campo was the head coach of this team. He may be a good teacher and a pretty good assistant coach, but there's something about him that makes him hard to take seriously.

Can't imagine players trying to do that to Landry.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

To me, it was funny, but it was sort of uncomfortable too because, like you said, it was disrespectful. It's hard to believe Campo was the head coach of this team. He may be a good teacher and a pretty good assistant coach, but there's something about him that makes him hard to take seriously.

Can't imagine players trying to do that to Landry.

Henderson would be the only one crazy enough to do it to Landry.:laugh2:

 

[TNCowboy]

To me, it was funny, but it was sort of uncomfortable too because, like you said, it was disrespectful. It's hard to believe Campo was the head coach of this team. He may be a good teacher and a pretty good assistant coach, but there's something about him that makes him hard to take seriously.

Can't imagine players trying to do that to Landry.

I remember once some players - I think Eugene Lockhart was one of them - made like they were going to dump gatorade on Landry. It was just a cooler full of towels.

 

[sonnyboy]

I remember once some players - I think Eugene Lockhart was one of them - made like they were going to dump gatorade on Landry. It was just a cooler full of towels.

WOW you beat me by two mins. Had the same thought. If I recall that was a big Mon Nite win over the Giants. Might have been Walkers first game with us.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

For the most part, I liked what I saw of the show. I thought that there were a few segments that seemed scripted to me though.

1) JJ calling TG's agent
2) The rookie RB calling Ray Lewis. What did they do, tell him that a camera crew was on their way to the Ravens TC, so don't call yet?
3) The "shower". They just happened to have more then one camera angle.

Still a great show and cant wait til next ep.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Man that was funny, HBO did a pretty good job of getting the true personalities of the players.

 

[Danny White]

To me, it was funny, but it was sort of uncomfortable too because, like you said, it was disrespectful. It's hard to believe Campo was the head coach of this team. He may be a good teacher and a pretty good assistant coach, but there's something about him that makes him hard to take seriously.

Can't imagine players trying to do that to Landry.

That's what makes Campo such a great position coach and made him such a lousy head coach. I get the feeling the position coach can be the "buddy" and the advocate for his guys (while still getting on their case when they need it) but the head coach needs to be respected by all. And you're right, Campo just doesn't command that respect.

I listen to James Washington's radio show every morning and he always says that Campo was the best coach he ever had, so it's obvious the guy knows his stuff.

I think our secondary is in good hands with him... I just don't really want to see him in charge of the team (or even the defense) ever again.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The whole thing was great.

My wife even thought so. She said she can't wait for next weeks show. God bless her.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I was glad to see Campo, who seemed to be as happy as possible to be back with Dallas. I haven't been the biggest fan of Campo as a head coach or D-Coordinator, but he's a genuine good guy who is a good defensive backs coach and those are the guys you root for to succeed and be happy in life. Plus, he's lost a ton of weight and looks in great shape.





YAKUZA

 

[trickblue]

I remember once some players - I think Eugene Lockhart was one of them - made like they were going to dump gatorade on Landry. It was just a cooler full of towels.

That would have been the worst day of their professional lives...

On a side note, George Allen came back to coach Long Beach State and had some success. Here is his experience with Gatorade baths...

Allen died on December 31, 1990 from ventricular fibrillation in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California at the age of 72. Allen admitted shortly before his death he had not been completely healthy after some of his Long Beach State players dumped a Gatorade bucket on him following a season-ending victory over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on November 17, 1990.

The sports editor of the Long Beach State's newspaper, the Daily Forty-Niner, was on the field that day and remembers that the temperature was in the fifties with a biting wind. Coach Allen stayed on the field for media interviews for quite a while in his drenched clothing, and boarded the bus back to Long Beach State soaking wet.​

 

[YosemiteSam]

That would have been the worst day of their professional lives...

On a side note, George Allen came back to coach Long Beach State and had some success. Here is his experience with Gatorade baths...

Allen died on December 31, 1990 from ventricular fibrillation in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California at the age of 72. Allen admitted shortly before his death he had not been completely healthy after some of his Long Beach State players dumped a Gatorade bucket on him following a season-ending victory over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on November 17, 1990.

The sports editor of the Long Beach State's newspaper, the Daily Forty-Niner, was on the field that day and remembers that the temperature was in the fifties with a biting wind. Coach Allen stayed on the field for media interviews for quite a while in his drenched clothing, and boarded the bus back to Long Beach State soaking wet.​

Thats a shame.

 

[Chief]

That would have been the worst day of their professional lives...

On a side note, George Allen came back to coach Long Beach State and had some success. Here is his experience with Gatorade baths...

Allen died on December 31, 1990 from ventricular fibrillation in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California at the age of 72. Allen admitted shortly before his death he had not been completely healthy after some of his Long Beach State players dumped a Gatorade bucket on him following a season-ending victory over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on November 17, 1990.

The sports editor of the Long Beach State's newspaper, the Daily Forty-Niner, was on the field that day and remembers that the temperature was in the fifties with a biting wind. Coach Allen stayed on the field for media interviews for quite a while in his drenched clothing, and boarded the bus back to Long Beach State soaking wet.​

I was at the Sun Bowl in El Paso on the day Allen died. After the game, a reporter told Michigan State coach George Perles that Allen had died and I'll never forget the look of shock and horror on his face. I guess Perles coached for him at some point, or they were just close.

I think the gatorade-shower thing is lame (and deadly apparently).

 

[adbutcher]

That's what makes Campo such a great position coach and made him such a lousy head coach. I get the feeling the position coach can be the "buddy" and the advocate for his guys (while still getting on their case when they need it) but the head coach needs to be respected by all. And you're right, Campo just doesn't command that respect.

I listen to James Washington's radio show every morning and he always says that Campo was the best coach he ever had, so it's obvious the guy knows his stuff.

I think our secondary is in good hands with him... I just don't really want to see him in charge of the team (or even the defense) ever again.

D Dub you hit the nail on the head.

You position coach is also a buffer between the head coach and the head coach's wrath.