HARD KNOCKS

Dolphins Announced For “Hard Knocks” But Players Aren’t Happy About It

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The 2023 in-season edition of Hard Knocks will feature the Miami Dolphins, but players aren’t exactly thrilled about the idea. QB Tua Tagovailoa paused for over 10 seconds when asked about he felt before adding “That’s probably my reaction”. Meanwhile, CB Xavien Howard had a much more blunt response. “Hard Knocks is sh-t, especially during the season. No, I’m serious. I’m not a fan,” Howard said. However, teams cannot refuse to participate once selected. HBO’s cameras will arrive in Miami following their game in Frankfurt, Germany on November 5.

The Dolphins’ reactions are very similar to those of the Jets, who were featured in the show’s preseason edition. “I understand the appeal with us. Obviously, there are a lot of eyes on me, a lot of eyes on our team, and a lot of expectations for our squad. One of the only things I like about Hard Knocks is the voice of God, the man who narrates it, Liev. They forced it down our throats and we have to deal with it,” QB Aaron Rodgers said back in July.

Read More: New York Giants Promise Reignition Of Jets Rivalry After Portrayal On Hard Knocks

Dolphins Don’t Need Hard Knocks Distraction

For the Dolphins especially, Hard Knocks represents an unnecessary distraction in a title contention season. Entering Week 8, the Dolphins are in sole control of the AFC East with a 5-2 record. A tough loss to the Eagles was canceled out by divisional shenanigans, with the Patriots stunning the Bills over the weekend. However, despite their title aspirations, the Dolphins still have some tough games they’d rather not have to dance around a TV crew to prepare for.

The two biggest games left on the Dolphins’ schedule are a December 24 game against Dallas and a regular season-ending game against Buffalo. The Bills rematch especially could determine who wins the AFC East. The last time the teams met, the Bills blew out the Dolphins in dominant fashion. It remains to be seen how much of the team’s animosity towards Hard Knocks will come through on the show.

Read More: HBO Struggling To Find Team Willing To Do Hard Knocks

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Aaron Rodgers Disputes Claims That He Laughed At Injury To Giants Player

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Earlier this week, New York Giants star Jihad Ward went off about Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. His comments came after the latest episode of Hard Knocks appeared to show Rodgers laughing about teammate Randall Cobb performing an illegal block that left a Giants player concussed. “Everybody going to get pissed off at that. The whole team was pissed off, you know what I’m saying? They know what they did. I know what [Cobb] did, coaches know what he did, my teammates know what he did. I’m the only one sticking up for [McCain],” Ward said. Bobby McCain has spent the past week on concussion protocol. Cobb is yet to be fined by the league for the illegal hit.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has claimed that he was only laughing because the penalty wouldn’t have been called at the start of his and Cobb’s careers. However, he told reports that he had also chastised Cobb for the hit. However, not the veteran quarterback has given a more substantial statement in response to Ward’s claims.

Read More: Lil Pump sells Miami mansion to Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers

Rodgers Calls Cap

“He thought we were laughing at his teammate? That never happened and I think he’s making shit up,” Rodgers said. “I don’t care.” However, Rodgers went on to suggest that jealousy may have been behind Ward’s comments. “We’ve had a lot of attention — before we did Hard Knocks. Then we did Hard Knocks, so there’s some jealousy, for sure. There’s a lot of people either jumping on the bandwagon or jumping [off] the other side.”

It’s a slightly strange comment from Rodgers, giving the public struggle HBO endured to find a team to appear on the long-running documentary series. In fact, Rodgers is previously on record saying that the NFL “forced it down our throats”. However, given that the Jets and Giants will play each other midseason, it’s safe to say that this beef is likely far from over. Be sure to follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Eli Apple’s baby mama says she’ll pay the fines of any player that injures him this season

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New York Giants Promise Reignition Of Jets Rivalry After Portrayal On “Hard Knocks”

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Hard Knocks may only cover training camp and the preseason, but the latest episode might have set up some regular-season beef. In the most recent episode of the New York Jets’ season, portrayal of their preseason finale against the cross-town Giants riled up the G-Men. “Everybody going to get pissed off at that. The whole team was pissed off, you know what I’m saying?” Defensive End Jihad Ward said of how the show showcased an illegal block by the Jets’ Randall Cobb. Cobb had hit safety Bobby McCain with an illegal blindside block. McCain was left concussed by the show focused on Aaron Rodgers seemingly laughing about it with his old Packers teammate.

“They know what they did. I know what [Cobb] did, coaches know what he did, my teammates know what he did,” Ward said. “I’m the only one sticking up for [McCain].” Ward was also shown trading barbs with Rodgers and going as far as to lightly shove him at one point. “See, the thing is, they’re going to entertain. They’re going to show his part — HBO, whatever stuff is going on, ‘Hard Knocks.’ They’re going to show his part. They weren’t even in the whole scenario of what really went down. They’re going to show his side of the story. … It’s all about Aaron Rodgers at the [end] of the day. They sign him, it is what it is. They’re going to show his part and make me look like a sucker. But I ain’t going for that.”

Read More: Jets undrafted rookie busts out perfect Eminem impression on Hard Knocks

Ward Vows Revenge

“My side of the story is I’m not going to let none of my teammates be backed down like that,” he said. “I’m going to ride for my teammates.” Meanwhile, Rodgers has claimed that he was only laughing because the penalty wouldn’t have been called at the start of his and Cobb’s careers. However, he told reports that he had also chastised Cobb for the hit. But Ward isn’t sweating things too much.

“It’s cool, though. That’s how they roll. I think we play them soon, it is what it is,” Ward concluded. Despite playing in the same stadium, the Jets and Giants only play each other every four years due to the NFL’s inter-conference rotation. Therefore, their 2023 matchup will be the first 2019. Both teams have very different looks since that last meeting, now both standing as bona fide playoff contenders. They are set to face off in Week 8, on October 29. That should be far enough into the season to have established whether these two sides are legit this year.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers blown away by card trick on Hard Knocks

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Jets WR Jerome Kapp Recreated Eminem’s ‘8 Mile’ Freestyle For The Team On ‘Hard Knocks’

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HBO/Universal Pictures

Some of the best parts of HBO’s Hard Knocks come when the series dives into the lesser known players and rookies trying to make the team and introduce you to the people behind the pads and helmets.

On this week’s Hard Knocks, Jerome Kapp, an undrafted wide receiver out of Kutztown University, got some shine as he stole the show in the team’s rookie talent show. Rookie talent shows are often gold mines for Hard Knocks, as rookies are often tasked with doing impressions of coaches or star teammates, sometimes to hilarious results — Tim Johnson’s portrayal of Shannon Sharpe during the Ravens’ 2001 camp remains one of the great moments the show has ever had. Kapp was not tasked with imitating one of his coaches or teammates, but instead delivered a rendition of B-Rabbit’s freestyle from 8 Mile to the delight of the Jets team room.

I don’t think Kapp has a future in the music industry, as he struggled a bit to stay on the Shook Ones beat, but he went all out for it, knowing fully well this was likely to end up on national television. His teammates certainly appreciated the effort and earning a little more respect in the locker room for being willing to risk making a fool of yourself is always the goal of the rookie talent show.

Aaron Rodgers Blown Away By Card Trick On “Hard Knocks”

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It’s Hard Knocks season and, however unwillingly, this year’s training camp edition features the New York Jets. After the NFL was forced to select a team following a lack of volunteers from the league’s 32 sides, the Jets seemed like the obvious candidate. A longstanding basement dweller and league laughingstock, the team rocketed into contention with a blockbuster trade for Aaron Rodgers.

Hard Knocks is now airing weekly on HBO and Max, showcasing every aspect of the Jets’ training camp. Since then, the team has gone 1-1 in their preseason openers, falling to the Browns but shutting out the Panthers. Furthermore, they added yet another offensive weapon to the team by singing free agent running back Dalvin Cook. Now, we all know that Aaron Rodgers likes to attune and open his third eye. However, he was exposed to a whole other type of magic in the preview for the next episode of the HBO documentary series.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers closes on $9.5M New Jersey mansion

Mentalist Stuns The Jets

Acclaimed mentalist Oz Pearlman joins the team for reasons that are sure to be made more clear in the full episode. Singling out Rodgers, Pearlman asks the veteran QB to visualize a playing card and then hold a deck tightly in his cupped hands. After Pearlman correctly guesses the suit (diamonds), he reaches in and draws out a card. He then asks Rodgers to reveal which card he was thinking of (three of diamonds) before revealing that he, Pearlman, is holding the three of diamonds.

However, the trick didn’t stop there. Pearlman then turns to safeties coach Marquand Manuel to reveal what animal he had visualized earlier in the trick. After Manuel says “goldfish”, Pearlman asks Rodgers to reveal the deck of cards he had been holding, revealing that it had magically turned into a goldfish in a clear, deck of cards-sized case. The entire team goes absolutely wild over the trick, with Rodgers simply sitting there in disbelief. There is surely context for this trick, which you will have to watch the full episode for this week.

Read More: Aaron Rodgers takes $35M pay cut in new contract with the Jets

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SOURCE SPORTS: Aaron Rodgers Takes $35 Million Pay by Agreeing to New Contract

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Aaron Rodgers is looking to maximize his time as quarterback of the New York Jets. To open the window for winning further, Rodgers has agreed to a new, reworked contract, in which he took a pay cut of $35 million.

According to ESPN, Rodgers put his pen to a new, two-year, $75 million deal that is fully guaranteed. His previous contract had $110 million in guarantees. Rodgers now provides the team’s front office with financial flexibility to add and retain quality players through his tenure to win another Super Bowl.

After becoming a Jet, Rodgers revealed his desire not to make this a one-year deal.

“The team gave up significant pieces for it to be just a one-year deal,” he said. “I’m aware of that. … Anything could happen with my body or the success we have this year, but I’m having a blast, so I really don’t see this as a one-year-and-done thing.”

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Jets, with their new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, will be the subject of this season of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Giving us our first look at the team.

The Jets report to training camp next Wednesday and will be followed by a fleet of cameras throughout their road to the 2023 NFL season. Previously, the Jets declared they did not want to be featured on the show. The NFL selected them anyway. Additional options were the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders.

“I haven’t gotten word or anything like that. I know there’s several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ to be in their building, but we’re just not one of them,” Saleh said.

Unfortunately for him, the cameras are on the way.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Aaron Rodgers Takes $35 Million Pay by Agreeing to New Contract first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Aaron Rodgers Takes $35 Million Pay by Agreeing to New Contract appeared first on The Source.

Aaron Rodgers Says NFL Forced “Hard Knocks” On New York Jets

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There has been a lot of doubt over the future of HBO’s Hard Knocks. In June, it was reported that HBO had approached the Lions about appearing on the show for the second year in a row. The reason for this desperation was that teams were apparently especially unwilling to appear on the show this year. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the NFL chose the New York Jets to appear on Hard Knocks. The league’s criteria for teams to be eligible for “Hard Knocks” eliminates teams with first-year head coaches, teams that qualified for the playoffs the past two seasons, and teams that appeared in the past 10 seasons. The Jets last appeared on Hard Knocks in 2010. Meanwhile, this will be Rodgers’ first time on the show, as the Packers have never been selected. The Jets report to training camp on July 19.

However, not everyone is happy about the news. Speaking during the June uncertainly, Jets head coach Robert Salah made it clear that he didn’t want the team to be featured. “I haven’t gotten word or anything like that. I know there’s several teams that would love for Hard Knocks to be in their building, but we’re just not one of them.” The likely storylines that the show will focus on will largely be at the quarterback position. Of course, there’s the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. However, there is also his understudy – Zach Wilson. Wilson was the second-overall pick in the 2021 draft. However, inconsistent performances saw him get benched in 2022 and then ultimately sidelined by the Rodgers trade. Now Rodgers himself is speaking out about the decision.

Rodgers Blasts Hard Knocks Decision

Rodgers didn’t mince words when asked about the decision. “I understand the appeal with us. Obviously, there are a lot of eyes on me, a lot of eyes on our team, and a lot of expectations for our squad. One of the only things I like about Hard Knocks is the voice of God, the man who narrates it, Liev,” Rodgers said, referring to long-time narrator Lev Schreiber. Well, unfortunately for Rodgers, the narration for Hard Knocks is up in the air. With SAG-AFTRA on strike and actively picketing, it’s unlikely that Schreiber, or any SAG-affiliated actor, will be stepping into the recording booth anytime soon.

However, Rodgers wasn’t finished. “They forced it down our throats and we have to deal with it,” he declared. It’s very clear at this point that the shine of Hard Knocks has completely worn off for the NFL. No one wants the added hassle in their locker room and practice field. However, the NFL, perennially out of touch with what its players and teams actually want, continues to enforce it like prayers on Sunday. Regardless, the aforementioned actor’s strike will most definitely have an impact on the production. Perhaps the Jets will be spared after all.

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SOURCE SPORTS: New York Jets Selected for HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

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The New York Jets, with their new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, will be the subject of this season of HBO’s Hard Knocks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Jets report to training camp next Wednesday and will be followed by a fleet of cameras throughout their road to the 2023 NFL season. Previously, the Jets declared they did not want to be featured on the show. The NFL selected them anyway. The Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders were additional options.

“I haven’t gotten word or anything like that. I know there’s several teams that would love for ‘Hard Knocks’ to be in their building, but we’re just not one of them,” Saleh said.

Unfortunately for him, the cameras are on the way.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: New York Jets Selected for HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: New York Jets Selected for HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ appeared first on The Source.

HBO Struggling To Find Team Willing To Do “Hard Knocks”

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Hard Knocks has been an essential part of the NFL season since 2001. The no-holds-barred HBO series follows an NFL team during their training camp. showcasing the highs, lows, and realities of preparing for an NFL season. In 2021, the show was reformatted to feature two seasons – one in training camp and one during the season.

However, full film production is a major ask for teams. Not only can it be disruptive, but it can also be distracting and add unnecessary pressure to a team. With teams being less willing to participate, the NFL implemented a rule that each year, four teams could be mandated to appear on the show. That may need to be the case due to some new revelations.

Teams Unwilling To Appear On “Hard Knocks”

According to multiple reports, HBO initially reached out to the Detroit Lions about appearing on Hard Knocks. The Lions were the team that the training camp season focused on last year. If the Lions accepted, they would become the first team to appear on the show in back-to-back seasons. The reason for this desperation is that teams are apparently especially unwilling to appear on the show this year. Last year, Hard Knocks followed the Arizona Cardinals during the season. However, few teams are willing to work with the broadcasting giant this year.

Furthermore, while the NFL can mandate the Jets, Saints, Commanders, and Bears to appear on the show, even these teams are pushing back about working with HBO. It’s likely that the Jets, with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, would be the preference of HBO. However, the reluctance for teams to participate is likely worrying for HBO. Hard Knocks 2023 would be the first under HBO’s new Max banner. Furthermore, there is a bigger reliance on unscripted content as the WGA strike continues. However, it remains to be seen if teams openly defy the NFL on this issue, and what the NFL will do if this happens. This is a developing story and any updates will be here on HotNewHipHop.

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Eminem Could Play ‘Any Position’ For The Detroit Lions, He Jokes On The ‘Hard Knocks’ Finale

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NFL

The 2022 season of Hard Knocks with the Detroit Lions concluded last night. The five episode series showed head coach Dan Campbell’s team trying to find an identity and establish a winning culture after a disastrous 3-13-1 previous season. Campbell’s message to the team throughout the season was about having “Grit,” something that means a lot to the workhorse city of Detroit. And it’s hard to think of someone who embodies that grit, passion, and ability to rise up to the top, quite as much as arguably Detroit’s most famous export, Eminem.

So on the season finale, Eminem visited the Lions’ training camp facility and looked to be having a lot of fun in the process. He joked about throwing a football on the street as far as he can, but realizing that it only goes 10 yards. He told quarterback Jared Goff that he was much taller than he expected him to be.

He also volunteered his services to the team, saying, “Any position, I’m good. Actually, any position, I’m great.” He passed the ice baths and a running back Jamaal Williams told him all he needed was a 90-second dip to soothe achy muscles. To that, Em replied, “F*ck that. That’s 90 seconds too long!” He even treated the team to a lunch of his “Mom’s Spaghetti.”

Eminem had clearly been watching this season of Hard Knocks as he referenced rookie phenom Aidan Hutchinson’s rendition of “Billie Jean” in front of the entire team. But what really stood out was that Em was humble, present, and gracious enough to take photos and shake hands and chat with everyone he met. The mutual respect was most evident when he met the Lions head coach and Campbell (who is a massive human and dwarfed the rapper) gave him a hug and said, “Nobody represents this city more than you do. It’s a pleasure to have you out here.”