The Cleveland Browns will not be featured on Hard Knocks this year. The team was one of seven eligible to be selected by the league for the show, but the NFL granted their request to be exempt from appearing on the HBO and NFL Films collaboration, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland. Instead, either the Bills, Texans or Dan Snyder's Washington NFL team could be getting the reality show treatment they definitely don't need.
The pros and cons of all 3 rumored ‘Hard Knocks’ finalists
The Browns are out, but the Bills, Texans and Dan Snyder’s Washington NFL franchise are in the mix for this year’s Hard Knocks.
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Cleveland's request stems from the team not wanting to be surrounded by cameras as Johnny Manziel returns from his rehabilitation stint this spring. It's a very reasonable ask by the Browns, making it that much more surprising the league granted it.
Nobody from the NFL has actually confirmed the other three candidates. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle did report that the Texans were a finalist for the show.
Teams can volunteer to be on the show, or the league can pick one in the absence of any takers, with some exemptions. The NFL cannot force any franchise with a new head coach, a playoff appearance in the last two years or having been on Hard Knocks during the last 10 years to be on the show.
The Falcons were terribly boring on last season's show, so the league really needs to get this right. So let's say that the Bills, Texans and Washington are the three teams in the mix. Which one is the ideal candidate? Some pros and cons for each.
Buffalo Bills
Pros
- Rex Ryan's antics made the 2010 season a hit, and in Buffalo, he's doubled down on his "give no fucks" approach to life. Wackiness ensues.
- Getting to know the real E.J. Manuel.
- What will LeSean McCoy say about Chip Kelly next?
Cons
- QB competition between Manuel and Matt Cassel.
- We're getting tired of predicting that THIS is finally the year the Bills challenge the Patriots for the AFC East title.
- Marcell Dareus gave up drag racing AND Mongolian buffets.
Houston Texans
Pros
- America loves J.J. Watt.
- QB competition between two guys who once backed up Tom Brady.
- What is Jadeveon Clowney up to these days?
Cons
- Face it, there's nothing especially interesting about J.J. Watt, beyond being a great player, and reality television might expose that.
- Arian Foster making us feel weird for watching it.
- It'll just make us want to hang out with Vince Wilfork, but that'll never actually happen.
Washington NFL team
Pros
- RG3 becomes America's sweetheart again.
- DeSean Jackson, quote machine.
- Proves there might be life after Jim Haslett.
Cons
- It could humanize Dan Snyder. Okay, that's a stretch, but still ...
- An endless barrage of "Redskins facts."
- RG3 peddling his personal brand and copyrighted inspirational slogans instead of focusing on Jay Gruden's offensive system, whatever that may be.
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