Jets decline 'Hard Knocks' offer
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
Sorry fans, but the Jets are out of "Hard Knocks" contention.
A league source confirmed Friday that the team was approached a few weeks by HBO to be featured on their training camp reality TV show, but declined the invitation.
Their reasoning makes sense.
The Jets also declined in 2009 because it was Rex Ryan's first season as head coach. This year, their rationale was similar, given the fact that it's Tony Sparano's first year as offensive coordinator.
But have no fear fans -- the Jets are open to being on "Hard Knocks" again in the future.
The Jets were featured on the show in 2010, the last time it aired. (There were no episodes last season due to the NFL lockout.)
In late April, team owner Woody Johnson told reporters 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.
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" a short time later saying: "If we're asked, we'll talk about it.
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