APThe Factory of Sadness could be getting a closeup.
Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News, who previously worked directly for the Browns, reports that the Browns are the front runners to be featured on the 2015 edition of HBO’s Hard Knocks.
The Browns fall within the scope of the teams that can be forced in 2015 to do Hard Knocks. Only teams with new head coaches, teams that have appeared in the playoffs the past two years, and teams that have appeared on the series in the past decade can not be compelled to open their training camp to the NFL Films cameras and microphones.
This year, the teams that fall within that category are the Browns, Texans, Titans, Jaguars, Washington, Giants, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Rams.
Last year, the Falcons volunteered even though they weren’t one of the eight teams that could have been required to submit.
In 2010, Browns coach Mike Pettine worked for the Jets when the Jets became the darlings of Hard Knocks, with Rex Ryan’s antics winning plenty of Emmys for folks responsible for producing the show.
Pettine and the Browns declined the opportunity in 2014; “Let’s get through the first year,” the now-second-year coach said at the time.
L O L
Just rename the show the factory of sadness
Johnny Football coming out of rehab will be the main story
Please, no.
more like “The Biggest Loser”
LMAO
Step right up, step right up
*Redskins
I would think they’d make the Bucs do it. Plenty of potential with cameras on Jameis.
“Browns in line for hard knocks”
In more ways than one, no doubt.
What would be the purpose of exempting teams that have in the playoffs the past 2 years? The show would be more interesting if the teams were better and had star power.
Just what Johnny rehab needs…more exposure
Johnny Football on HBO. I enjoy eating popcorn and watching the fall of American society through the microcosm of the current crop of NFL players.
I’m glad it’s not Atlanta. That might have been the most boring version of all of them.
I would think another team would be more interesting. Redskins. Vikings. Eagles. Anybody.
Who are the teams that eligible this year?
Who doesn’t love watching a dumpster fire.
When I read the line “factory of sadness”, I thought it was referring to the San Francisco 49ers.
No. Please NO!
Whichever team does Hard Knocks should also be forced to sign Tebow and Sam.
Let’s see;
Qb controversy with one returning from rehab
Star player suspended indefinitely casting a shadow on the organization and offense in general
Owner coming off of federal indictment
GM facing suspension for strong arm tactics with coaching staff
Said coaching staff on one year deal to “turn it around” or become unemployed at the end of the season
And appearances from superstar basketball players and celebrities he’s friends with.
Honestly hbo would save a lot of money if they just replayed “any given Sunday” week in and week out replacing the Sharks logo with the Browns.
the Browns already have too much drama, so lets televise it….people are already trolling the Browns, so the season might get interesting…lol
“Only teams with new head coaches, teams that have appeared in the playoffs the past two years, and teams that have appeared on the series in the past decade can be compelled to open their training camp to the NFL Films cameras and microphones.”
The wording of that phrase made me think that having a new head coach was a requirement to qualify for Hard Knocks.
Anyway…
I think Pettine and the Browns would make for a very interesting series (in a good way). I’m actually a big Mike Pettine fan from his time with the Bills. I was sad to see him go. His 2013 defense was the most exciting to watch since the Super Bowl(s) era.
Looks like HBO might be turning the show into a comedy this year.
To be a Brown is to be a set system.
I thought it was teams that had not appeared in the playoffs. Aren’t playoff teams exempt from this farce ?
Snoozefest
YESSS! I will now get HBO again! Who doesn’t love watching a dumpster fire? Falcons?ZZzzzzzzzzz
Washington Redskins
Do they mean the show? or the state of existence?
What does it say for a show…that the NFL MAKES team do it? How much is HBO giving the NFL to hear coaches disrespect players and for us to watch dreams shatter. The Jets and Cowboys were the only decent seasons. Why doesn’t the NFL produce their own version…then make it better.
Picture this: Browns move up to #2 and grab Mariota … so they have two first-round QBs, one an arrogant a-hole party guy, the other a straight-laced quiet guy. Neither really has the talent to play in the NFL …
Seriously, they should just broadcast the QB meetings and have a show.
Okay and it’ll be a bust because Manziel won’t be in it.
How can you do TV if you’re in “rehab”??
Oh yes, Dwayne Bowe will have his 1st appearance on the show since the 2007 Chiefs (the 2nd worst team ever on the show, the Cowboys were the worst. Yawn!).
The owner should go ahead and fire Mike Pettine. He was hired a little over a year ago so it’s about that time.
It will probably be the Buccaneers with Winston.
This should bode well for Manziel
Most downtrodden, yet still loyal to a fault fanbase in the league. That’s what makes browns fans the best, they persevere through all of the craziness, bad teams, and losing . Other bandwagon fanbases simply wear their team colors when their team is doing well, browns fans represent, win or lose. It would be nice for browns fans and the rest of the league to see what goes on in Berea, and get a better understanding of the perceived dysfunction. Make it happen HBO!
“Only teams with new head coaches, teams that have appeared in the playoffs the past two years, and teams that have appeared on the series in the past decade CANNOT be compelled to open their training camp to the NFL Films cameras and microphones.”
Rename this year’s show: Keeping Down with the Browns
I wish the Cowboys got it for 2015… HBO’s Hardy Knocks. Jerry gets his Glory show! lol
How would Vic Carrucci know anything about this ?
However, Browns would make for good TV.
Teams that have made the playoffs in the last two years, teams with new coaches, and teams that have been on Hard Knocks within the last decade are exempt.
Browns are a good choice as we can see the QB Drama play out right before our eyes….
Great incentive for teams to make the playoffs each and every year.
Maybe Jimmy Haslam will go into bathroom with a mic on, like that rich dude on that HBO show last week…..
“I scammed all those trucking outfits out of millions in fuel rebates……They know it……”
I guess I just don’t understand how a team would allow this, unless they had a veteran coach like Bill Walsh or Bill Parcells who was media savvy, and who could keep things under control. The Browns are a team that is struggling in every aspect. Oh well, maybe they figure any publicity is good publicity. On the other hand, I feel sorry for HBO.
If this doesn’t win an Emmy for comedy nothing should.
Only teams with new head coaches, teams that have appeared in the playoffs the past two years, and teams that have appeared on the series in the past decade can NOT be compelled to open their training camp to the NFL Films cameras and microphones.
Deadspin quote: “The joint HBO/NFL Films production is fantastic advertising for the league”.
Pink Floyd quote: “Money…Think I’ll buy me a football team”.
surprisingly…this is a solid choice
I’m not sure we’ll see great football, but I’m sure we’ll see great entertainment. Can’t wait, frankly.
By the by, I’m sure Pettine’s overjoyed. What better’s for Johnny Football and his team than be the ones everyone will be talking about in the summer? I’m sure all that attention will yield positive results.
The Browns season will be nothing but hard knocks.
So, Hard Knocks is going comedy?
The NFL hates the Browns.
If they wanted to do a Comedy they could go to Minnesota.
HBO must be getting desperate. The show is going downhill and it looks like this will be the last program.
Just like rubber neckers slowing down to gaze at the carnage of a wreck on the freeway.
Gauranteed record viewership and Must see TV.
Did the Falcons use a computer program to manufacture interest in their version of the show? At least the Browns won’t have to do that, expect better ratings this season, HBO.
LMAO. HBO & NFL had to put a rush on this before the Browns fired Pettine.
This guy will be singing like a canary. Im sure HBO wont have to edit Pettine blabbing away at all the gossip, soap opera-like Browns franchise.
This will be hilarious. Be ready for the “Play like a Brown line. Actually if I was HC i wouldnt be saying play like a Brown. I would say Play Like a Seahawk
Please no. Their is enough drama already and they don’t need the distraction. I thought hard knocks was to be about teams that people actually care about, not a team that has made the playoffs like twice in the last twenty years.
REDSKINS
This year, the teams that fall within that category are the Browns, Texans, Titans, Jaguars, REDSKINS*, Giants, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Rams.
HBO should do the Trifecta Trainwreck Hard Knocks Season:
BROWNS, Redskins & Raiders all in the same show
At least the browns are good for the CIRCUS if nothing else.
*sigh* when you talk about the Browns its never about being serious about WINNING.They are like a bad reality show.
REDSKINS
John Mara will force Coughlin to retire if the Giants are picked. He said he’ll be buried next to dad when the Giants are on Hard Knocks.
@cantescarpe- you think the 2013 Bills defense was one of the most exciting to watch? Why? They’re 26th ranked rush defense? Last years Bills defense was far more exciting to watch. And it still was definitely still not close to the most exciting in the Superbowl era.
The players will be the ones wearing the paper bags over their heads…
This is a no-brainer.
Burn on big river, burn on…
Oh please make this happen. A great mix of HBO Drama and NFL slapstick.
Factory of sadness, that does have a certain ring to it. “Make it so!”
Jean Luc Picard
Every team mention for potential selection are all BOTTOM FEEDERS. Im sure I speak for the rest, we want to see contenders and how theyre able to be successful in the NFL!
Unless the cameras follow Johnny Football around off the field on the weekends, that show will be cancelled after 2 shows.
Will Johnny make it out of rehab? Will Josh lay down the bottle? Can McCown prove he’s worth the money? Tune in next week to ‘The Factory of Sadness’ to find out!
Maybe HBO will finally expose the NFL for setting this franchise up for failure since allowing the real Browns to become the Ravens and the Lerner, Policy, Kosar trio was a sham. The NFL ruined football in Cleveland.
All I can hear is Liev Schreiber’s voice saying “Day 3 of training camp. They still don’t know the location of their quarterback. Johnny Manzell was last seen at a donkey show in Tiuanna”
Definitely not using my free trial of HBO to see these idiots operate first hand.
You mean the Redskins
Are cameras allowed in the Betty Ford Clinic??
Have Tampa do it, then they can check on the missing food.
What a great idea…
The tapes could be used in future new owner symposiums similar to the current rookie symposiums.
The title could be “How Not To Run Your New Franchise”.
Johnny Manziel gets to keep his Nick Name, but from now on we’ll just use Air Quotes when we say it:
Johnny “Football”
I hope you’re not mocking any given Sunday…
Pacinos “life is a game of inches” speech is revolutionizing
This is a horrible idea! And not just because it is the Browns. Manziel has been living in a fishbowl. As a human being, the last thing this kid needs is a camera in his face 24/7 while trying to get his career back on track after detox and rehab. Yeah, let’s put some more pressure on a person who handled pressure by escaping to the bottle. Let’s see the Yucs do their best to ruin JW instead.
is that Mike Pettine or Jarrod Schultz from Storage Wars?
All of those teams suck, except maybe the Giants.
Only the Browns seriously. Too bad missed last years Browns with Johnny boy partying and Gordon hitting drugs again.. This year prob not as much drama Gordon be suspended and away from team whole year minimum plus Johnny boy will be in rehab the whole time we will be watching Josh McKown cry after every loss like he did in Tampa and maybe a miracle Bowe will catch a TD pass
The film crew will have to wear hazmat suits.
Well, the Browns will be entertaining… be interesting to see if Johnny Football comes off as the pure full-on douchebro he usually does.
The Jaguars wanted to do Hard Knocks a couple of years ago but HBO said no.
Jeff Fisher, with being on the Competition Committee will find a way out of it.
So the Browns are putting on a Broadway show of Annie? Johnny Football stars as Annie! It’s a hard knock life!
“Get your popcorn ready”………..LOL
After hearing the news, Bruce Jenner has requested a try out. I mean, he’d be like their #3 WR.
At the rate they’ve been beat up this off-season it should be the 49ers.