"Hard Knocks," Part Deux?

Members of the crew for HBO's "Hard Knocks" TV show... — Members of the crew for HBO's "Hard Knocks" TV show work during the first day of Jets training camp in Cortland, N.Y. (Aug. 2, 2010) Credit: Pat Orr Photography

By Kimberley A. MartinApril 22, 2012

Looks like Woody Johnson and Rex Ryan might have to have another talk soon.

The Atlanta Falcons turned down HBO's offer to be the featured star on their behind-the-scenes training camp show, "Hard Knocks" ... meaning, network officials could be dialing Johnson's line pretty soon.

Johnson, the Jets team owner, told reporters a few weeks ago that there had been informal talks about the Jets appearing on the show.

"It's something we would take a look at with Mike [Tannenbaum], and the coach, and Bruce [Speight, the director of media relations], and I and others that we think would add value to that discussion, to see whether it is something we want to do,'' Johnson said Monday at the opening of an NFL store in midtown Manhattan.

The Jets were featured on the show in 2010, the last time it aired. There were no episodes of the program last season because of the lockout.

Rex Ryan, however, didn't appear as enthusiastic about it. The head coach skirted the issue when pressed about his desire to be on "Hard Knocks" on Monday, saying: "If we're asked, we'll talk about it.

According to D. Orlando Lebetter of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution, the Falcons had been considering the offer as late as Thursday night. In explaining their decision, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team needs to (emphasize) "winning in order to improve their brand nationally."