Hard Knocks: Training Camp

Every year I get excited for this show and after watching it I'm pumped for the nfl season. HBO does a remarkable job letting the viewers inside nfl teams to catch a glimpse of what the life would be like. Makes me thankful for nfl football and thankful that my playing days are long gone.

It's always been known that there's a disconnect between how the media/fans see the league and the team management, but this really helped to bridge the gap. Didn't learn too much from scouting and the combine episodes, but they didn't feel like filler episodes. A lot of the preseason and in season episodes tend to drag on so this was a refreshing change of pace.

Free agency was really the most fun to watch. Teams have to be able to adapt and have multiple plans in place for when another team outbids them. A lot of the GM phone calls reminded me of trying to work out trades in my 32 team dynasty leagues: everyone is looking to win the trade.

Rightfully so the draft got 2 episodes. It's pretty overwhelming the amount of prep that goes into scouting 200+ players but you get out what you put into it. Don't think it could have worked out much better for them!

All in all, great season. Hope they continue this series next year.

I had never watched Hard Knocks until last year with the Cowboys and in-season with the Colts. Love this series! I saw a behind-the-scenes video that showed a producer explaining that they hope to introduce you to your new second favorite team. That is exactly the vibe I get after watching each season. The camera work in-game in-season is incredible, and I love the human interest stories on every team they're able to capture. Makes you appreciate how hard these modern day gladiators have to work to make and stay on a team. And a shout-out to the composer of the theme song; I could listen to the Hard Knocks theme on repeat all day.

If you understand that this is an NFL promotional package written and edited by them with help from HBO then it's an ok watch.

Most of the stories are pointless, NFL players eating candy, riding bicycles as if they aren't regular guys. About 1/4 of the show is actual practice content as the teams don't want to reveal too much.

Be prepared to skip ahead a lot through the girlfriend stuff and scripted camera time in order to get to some decent content.

My only two Hard Knocks I've seen are this and the Giants offseason one, so I'm drawing from a well of limited viewership.

The vibe of Bears hard knocks is all happy, rainbows and gumdrops since this is a team with a lot of hope going into the season. The Giants one was hilariously depressing, a real trainwreck that made for great TV.

Hardcore bears fanatics will definitely relish at the chance to get to know some of the lesser known players on the squad in stunning high definition HBO quality. Non-bears fans who are curious to get to know Caleb Williams will be pleasantly surprised at how normal and genuine a rich, Hollywood college QB like him really is.

As for the production, it's very respectful to Chicago culture and lore, but I expected a bit more creativity episode to episode. The finished product is entertaining, yet formulaic and predictable.

You can expect some funny clips of players bantering about random relatable stuff (ferrets, Love Island, Chicago culture...). Then some cool training camp action clips. Then the Bears tradition of making a rookie do a karaoke number (the God Bless the USA scene was legendary). Lastly, each episode finishes with an unbelievably well-shot preseason game.

My favorite elements of the episodes were definitely getting to know each player, and the preseason games.

Us bears fans got really lucky that they randomly dominated all 4 of their preseason games and scored tons of touchdowns, so the game sequences were really awesome to watch.

Overall it's just a cozy little show that gives a way to get to know the players before the season begins. And hey, hopefully we at least make the playoffs..

Bear down. 8/10.