The Miami Dolphins are the chosen NFL franchise to join forces with HBO Sports and NFL Films for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the league when Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins airs in August on HBO.
The first, true sports-based reality series debuts its five-episode seventh season, presented in HD, Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET, exclusively on HBO.
Photo Credit: MiamiDolphins.com
Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Tuesdays at the same time, with an encore play every Wednesday in August at 11:00 p.m., culminating in the Sept. 4 season finale. This summer’s edition of Hard Knocks marks the first time the series will premiere on Tuesday nights in prime time; previously the series debuted on Wednesdays.
“We are delighted that Hard Knocks will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on the Miami Dolphins, a venerable franchise that had an exciting off-season activity,” said Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports, according to Dolphins’ press release.
“This marks the first time that the series has featured a first-year head coach (Joe Philbin) and we are extremely grateful to both Coach Philbin and the entire organization for agreeing to participate,” he continued. ”As always, there will be plenty on the line for veterans, free agents and rookies.”
Hard Knocks has been able to allow sports fans to witness the lighter side of their favorite star athletes.
However, what Hard Knocks has been able to capable the emotions and hard work of players who are attempting to make the squad and those who are pursuing to continue their career in the NFL.
Through the viewing of this award-winning televised NFL program, viewers start to not only vote for the team, but pull for individuals to make the squad, which creates the drama of Hard Knocks.
Nonetheless, being on Hard Knocks could cause some pitfalls and distractions if players can not adopt to cameras filming them 24/7.
“I’m not worried about the X’s and O’s part of it, that I think is secondary in football anyway,” said Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin. “Half-jokingly I said to our team, the last time I checked they are going to have some cameras on Sunday afternoon. We have to get used to it, I told our staff the same thing. Our job really is to help these guys reach their potential.”
“Teach them how to block, teach them how to catch, teach them how to tackle, teach them how to make good decisions and my feeling is that we are going to be able to do that whether there is one camera or fifty cameras,” he continued.
“Talking to the people at NFL Films, they wanted access and trust, we are going to go out there and coach just like we have been coaching before. I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal. I am excited about it.”
“As we know there’s distractions in everything, it is what you make it. One thing I guarantee, I told the staff and I told the players, these players will follow the lead of the coaching staff,” he added. “So if we make it a big deal; then it will be a big deal, but I don’t think it will.”
A 24-person NFL Films crew will live at the Dolphins’ training camp in South Florida, shooting more than 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will be given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.
Hard Knocks will chronicle Philbin, as a first-year head coach in the NFL, and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason.
Each week, players will experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.
“We are excited that the premier company in sports filmmaking history, NFL Films, and HBO Sports have chosen the Miami Dolphins to appear on their award-winning series Hard Knocks,” said Philbin. “We are looking forward to connecting with our many fans across the country as the program chronicles our 2012 training camp. The series will highlight the outstanding men who comprise our team and represent our organization admirably, both on and off the field, as they compete for a coveted position on our roster.”
“The Miami Dolphins have long been synonymous with success on the filed as evidenced by our five Super Bowl appearances and the only perfect season in NFL history,” he added.
“That heritage serves as a constant reminder to our players and staff of the great legacy that has been left for us to uphold. Our team embraces that rich past and looks confidently to the future as we begin this journey back to the top of the NFL.”
“All the decisions that have been made this off-season have had one guiding principle—will it help our players and organization reach its full potential? This one is no different,” he continued.
“We are convinced that our affiliation with NFL Films and HBO will allow football fans everywhere an opportunity to comprehend the significant sacrifices and demands that our players endure each day along their journey in training camp as a Miami Dolphin. We eagerly await the opening of training camp on July 26 and the 2012 NFL regular season that lies ahead of us.”
Hard Knocks originally launched its series with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002.
The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Sports Emmy. In 2008, the Hard Knocks returned to cover the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy for production excellence.
In 2009, Hard Knocks spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals and the show captured two more Sports Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology” and “Outstanding post-produced Sound/Audio.”
Hard Knocks is expected to have another solid season and NFL Films can not wait to get started.
“On the 40th anniversary of the greatest season in NFL history–Don Shula’s perfect ’72 Dolphins– it is perfectly fitting that Hard Knocks is heading to Miami to capture the start of a new era for one of the league’s proudest teams,” said NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “After Hard Knocks’ hiatus last summer, I know our team at NFL Films can’t wait to get back on the field.”
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