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Are the Jets once again “Hard Knocks” bound? Well it certainly sounds like that is a strong possibility based on the comments of their owner today in New York City.
The Jets appeared in the cable reality show “Hard Knocks” two summers ago.
And now they might be a repeat performer.
Jets owner Woody Johnson was asked about the possibility of the Jets appearing on the 2012 edition of the program, and didn’t rule it out.
“It’s something we would take a look at with (GM) Mike (Tannenbaum), and the coach, and (director of media relations) Bruce (Speight), and others that we think would add value to that discussion, to see whether it is something we want to do,” Johnson said.
Johnson claims the Jets haven’t received a formal invitation, but “when we do, we will take a look at it.”
When Rex Ryan was asked in 2011, prior to the lockout, if he’d be interested in his team going back on the show, he made it clear, he wanted no part of it.
Mark Sanchez never seemed thrilled with the show, and it’s highly unlikely he would want to do it.
But it really doesn’t matter much what Ryan and Sanchez want, this is up to Woody Johnson, and based on his answers today, he’s clearly giving the show strong consideration.
Johnson has been in a funky mood this year, so putting the Jets on “Hard Knocks,” once again, wouldn’t be a surprise.
Johnson’s mindset this year contributed to the departures of VP’s Matt Higgins and Thad Sheely.
According to a league source, Johnson was beside himself over the Jets late season swoon that was exacerbated by the crosstown Giants winning the Super Bowl.
Johnson wasn’t a happy camper after season, and reportedly, he, and his right hand man, Ira Axelrad, were making Higgins and Sheely very uneasy.
Many have accused the Jets of signing Tim Tebow as a publicity stunt, in what is perceived as Johnson’s constant desire to dominate the back page of the New York tabloids, and increase the Jets’ profile.
And perhaps help the Jets sell their excess club seat and luxury box inventory.
An appearance on “Hard Knocks” once again in 2012, would fit into this kind of thinking.
But it’s probably a bad idea.
This is so an important summer for the Jets in Cortland. They need to come together as a team. They need to bond and do as much team-building as possible. They need focus, focus and more focus, especially on offense, where Tony Sparano is installing a new playbook.
Having cameras in the huddles, meeting rooms and dorms probably isn’t the best way to do that.
And remember, Sparano is a Parcells-guy, and Parcells rather sleep on a bed of nails than led cameras in his inner sanctum.
Rex and Mike need to be honest with Woody.
Don’t tell him what they think he wants to hear.
Tell him the truth, that you don’t think “Hard Knocks” is a good idea this year.
And for this who think Johnson would make a deal with HBO for the money, that would not be accurate.
A league spokesman just informed us, “There is no financial incentive for a team to be on Hard Knocks.”
(Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Tuesday night.)