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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Curtis

The Cowboys on ‘Hard Knocks’ is exactly what the HBO series needs to reinvigorate itself

We had high hopes for the Rams/Chargers season. The Las Vegas Raiders season was more dramatic away from the cameras. The Jeff Fisher Rams season was blah.

We knew what Hard Knocks needed, and we’re getting it: the Dallas Cowboys will be featured for a third time — they were on camera for the HBO series in 2002 and 2008 — in August.

These days, because there are so many other opportunities to see behind-the-scenes at training camp and elsewhere because of social media, Hard Knocks has lost some of its luster. If the team and coach isn’t fiery (the Raiders got close, knock on wood if you’re with me), then the whole thing falls flat.

But look at what we’re getting served: Jerry Jones! He’s a walking quote machine. Mike McCarthy might not be Gruden, but you know NFL fans are going to watch closely to see if he’s going to screw up. Ezekiel Elliott might give us some good moments. And there’s the fact that they’re coming off a 6-10 season, so the pressure is on.

It’s all there, and my hope is that it delivers, because when Hard Knocks is good, it’s so much fun. We get some incredible moments — Vince Wilfork in nothing but overalls. Bernard Pollard dancing. “Let’s go eat a [bleeping] snack!”

Let’s see it happen! As Rex said above, do you want it or not? Can we have fun? I sure hope so.

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