Hard Knocks for the Giants? Tuck says league is 'trippin'
A member of HBO'S "Hard Knocks" crew wears a "Hard Knocks" t-shirt during the first day of training camp in Cortland, N.Y. (Aug. 2, 2010) Credit: Pat Orr
In a scene that could conceivably become part of the trailer for next year’s string of episodes, Justin Tuck was asked today about the new NFL rule that could force a team to be filmed on “Hard Knocks.”
“The NFL is trippin’,” Tuck said. “Seriously. How you gonna pass a rule to force you to be on Hard Knocks? … That’s hilarious. Wow. That’s hilarious.”
They NFL did that on Tuesday. Of course, there are parameters. Teams who volunteer for the show would obviously be given first dibs. And teams with either a first-year head coach or who have made the playoffs in either of the past two years would be exempt. And like jury duty, once a team is on the show they wouldn't have to do it again for another 10 years.
“I voted against the resolution," Giants president John Mara said. "I have nothing against the show. It may not be for us, but I understand why teams would want to appear on it. I just think that participation should be voluntary, not compulsory.”
Conceivably, the Giants could not have any of those escape hatches at their disposal next summer for training camp. And there's little doubt that the Giants would be one of the Holy Grails of teams to feature in terms of production decisions. So, how would the team react to the lights, cameras and action of HBO and NFL Films?
“I know Coach Coughlin, he really doesn’t approve of or like things like that,” Tuck said. “But hey, if the NFL makes it mandatory I guess we have to abide by the rules of our employers.”
Still, Tuck thought it was strange that the league would have to pass a rule to force teams to do something that teams don’t want to do.
“Wouldn’t that tell you that, if they have no volunteers, that ‘Hard Knocks’ might be something that the teams don’t feel like it’s going to help their football team be a better football team?”
