HBO Hard Knocks

HBO has always offered a variety of captivating dramas, comedies and documentaries. The sports documentary series Hard Knocks (in partnership with NFL Films) is no exception. The show captures the routine of both players and coaches during training camp and pre-season games as they prepare for the upcoming season. It gives football fans an inside look at team operations, practice, contract negotiations, the “grind” players endure to keep their spot on the team and prove their worth, the battle for positions, the adjustments rookie players must make as well as a glimpse into the players’ personal lives. The show has won three Sports Emmy Awards, one in 2009 and two in 2010.

Hard Knocks first premiered in 2001 featuring the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, the following teams have been featured: Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys and Bengals have each been featured twice. Due to uncertainty with the NFL’s labor situation in 2011, Hard Knocks was not produced. The NFL implemented rules in 2013 listing reasons a team is eligible to avoid Hard Knocks if they wish: if they have a new head coach, if they have reached the playoffs in the past two seasons, or if they have appeared on Hard Knocks within the past 10 years.

Hard Knocks enters its ninth season this year, featuring the Atlanta Falcons. 2014 will be the Falcons’ seventh season under head coach, Mike Smith. The Falcons have made playoff appearances in 4/6 of the past seasons under Smith. This season should have plenty of exciting directions for storylines including anticipation around returning high-profile veterans like Matt Ryan and Roddy White, the recovery path of superstar Julio Jones after a season-ending foot injury last October, and integration of the Falcons’ sixth draft pick, offensive lineman, Jake Matthews. This season will also feature the team’s trip to Texas for a combined practice with the Houston Texans prior to their pre-season game at NRG Stadium on August 16.

HBO’s film crew will shoot more than 1500 hours of footage with unlimited access for the series. Hard Knocks premieres August 5 at 10:00 p.m. EST on HBO.