Chargers Decline to be on HBO’s Hard Knocks

by Grey Suit on Jul 30, 2009 7:00 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason

AJ Smith confirmed in an interview yesterday with Darren Smith, that the Chargers where asked on multiple occasions to be featured on the HBO series Hard Knocks. Smith respectfully declined the invitation to both HBO executives as well as NFL Films President Steve Sabol. Smith said that he had no interest in team being part of the show because he felt that not only would it be a tremendous distraction to the players but that he felt the program was incredibly fake and that the whole program was a joke which was more of a movie than a documentary. AJ also mentioned that he felt the show was better suited for people/teams who had had aspirations to be in show business.

As great as it would be to get an inside peak into the Chargers training camp I could never see AJ agreeing to it and I think that might be a good thing. The last thing a team who is pushing for the Super Bowl needs is a giant distraction like this, we all saw what happened last year when this team got a little over confident in the off season and let in a few outside distractions.

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Agreed 100%

I actually think it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world strictly because I think it’s a wonderful marketing tool for the team and the front office, but I don’t think any team has ever done one and had a tremendously successful season. Until that happens, AJ won’t even consider it.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jul 30, 2009 8:33 AM PDT reply actions

AJ and Dean should consider this for one reason: NEW STADIUM

I agree with Obviousman, it would be a wonderful marketing tool, which is exactly what this teams needs to get a stadium deal done. This would be a great forum for Dean to reach out to the citizens of SD and put a more personal spin on the issue.

I don’t buy the distraction thing… distractions occur all of the time, and true super bowl teams are strong enough to overcome them. They are professionals after all. In addition, its not like the program goes on for the entire year and into the playoffs. Its just the preseason… its worth a shot.

by truheeyo on Jul 30, 2009 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

I like the thinking on using the show

as a mechanism to gain support for a new stadium. But the best way to gain support is by getting to the big game (See: 1998 Padres).

I would say most superbowl teams do not have distractions, or at least, not self inflicted distractions.

by soulSD on Jul 30, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

Not only does getting that far bring in a lot of money for the team and the city (making it easier for both of them to spend the necessary money), but it makes fans more willing to shell out the cash to keep them in town.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jul 30, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

good move AJ

I tend to believe that no good could come of participating in this show. It’s not going to increase interest in the team locally, that’s already sky-high, and while it would increase their marketability nationally, the national audience isn’t going to help pay for a new stadium. I just don’t want the team’s training camp turned into a soap opera. Get to the Super Bowl, then maybe the city will finally get their head out of their behinds and realize that they are losing literally billions of dollars in revenue that a new stadium would bring to the area. State of the art stadium = a Super Bowl in SD every 5 years.

by Figboot on Jul 30, 2009 4:58 PM PDT reply actions

Exactly

I’m 100% behind AJ on this decision. We have bigger & better things to concentrate on.

Good post, Figboot.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Aug 1, 2009 4:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm conflicted

No Hard Knocks team has ever gone on to anything good: Ravens, Cowboys, Chiefs, and for sure the Bengals this year.

But come on, it’s great TV.

"I bleed powder blue." - Antonio Gates

by matthewverygood on Jul 30, 2009 8:25 PM PDT reply actions

No

way AJ would ever agree to this! That’s who he is.

by GABOLT on Jul 30, 2009 9:32 PM PDT reply actions

I AGREE

while it would be great for us fans to watch, there’s a reason also rans and pretenders do pr stunts like this and super bowl contenders prepare for going deep in january.

this team has much more in common with the steelers, patriots and colts than it does with the chiefs, bengals and dallas choirboys.

by SoCalCMH on Jul 31, 2009 7:03 PM PDT reply actions

I've said for years that I'd love to watch this

And I am in no way surprised that HBO wanted to do it with us (especially since two of the recent ones were the Bengals and Chiefs). But, it’s not really A.J.‘s style and it does seem like this team is too easily distracted by the bright lights, I guess it’s best to keep them away.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Aug 1, 2009 2:50 AM PDT reply actions