Head coach Mike Shanahan counts Washington Redskins out of running to feature on 'Hard Knocks'
HBO’s popular reality television show “Hard Knocks” is making its comeback this season after the show was off the air last year due to the National Football League (NFL) lockout.
However, the show must first find a franchise willing to open its training facility up to HBO’s cameras and microphones.
There are still no takers over the offer yet and one more franchise has cut itself from the running on Wednesday.
Washington Redskins have been rumoured to be on HBO’s radar for the show as they make a compelling storyline with the arrival of number two overall draft pick, Robert Griffin III to the franchise.
Head coach, Mike Shanahan, speaking in an interview to Pro-Football Talk Live counted his team out of the running for featuring on the show.
Shanahan said that the show’s cameras and crews make players act differently from what they normally would and that is a big distraction for a team preparing for the new season.
The head coach in his previous stint at the Denver Broncos had then also refused the opportunity to feature on the show.
“To be honest with you they asked me to do it at Denver on my first year there and it was the first year of Hard Knocks.”
He continued.
“I just didn't feel comfortable with being in that situation. You know, I can't be myself. I don't think coaches can be their self and I'd like players to concentrate on their job.”
Adding further he said.
“I don't know if it's old-school or what. You know, for me, I just didn't feel comfortable with that atmosphere."
Shanahan also said that the Redskins had not been approached by the show’s producers with an offer.
It is still uncertain which team will feature in this year’s series.
The New York Jets continue to remain the firm favourites to once again have their training camp filmed although head coach, Rex Ryan, and general manager, Mike Tannenbaum, have both expressed their reservations to feature on the show.
Hard Knocks is a documentary style mini-series which gives viewers an up-close and personal view of a professional football team’s training camp.
The show in its last incarnation was hugely popular when it featured the Jets.
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