Current:Home > Contact'Hard Knocks' debuts: Can Dolphins adjust to cameras following every move during season? -Wealth Evolution Experts
'Hard Knocks' debuts: Can Dolphins adjust to cameras following every move during season?
View
Date:2025-04-15 02:53:45
The in-season edition of HBO's "Hard Knocks," starring the Dolphins, debuted Tuesday night.
Although the show lacked one moment that demanded headlines, it offered insight for any fan, but particularly for Dolphins fans. And it confirmed what most of us probably were thinking about coach Mike McDaniel's approach, and bond, with his players.
Players receiving their share of face time shouldn't surprise anybody: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, cornerback Jalen Ramsey ... and especially receiver Tyreek Hill. Linebackers coach Anthony Campanile delivered an impassioned pep talk that may have inspired viewers to lace up their shoes and go run a few miles.
New episodes will premiere each Tuesday at 9 p.m. and be available to stream on Max.
Here are highlights from Episode 1:
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Trying to put the best face on cameras intruding
The series opened with McDaniel trying to get the players to embrace the idea that cameras will be in their faces the rest of the season, including playoffs.
"I'm actually convinced I'm fired up about it," McDaniel tells players, although when the "Hard Knocks" announcement was first made, he admitted there are plenty of "distractions" under normal conditions.
"I wouldn’t call it a team decision," McDaniel said at the time. “But at the same time, you guys know me well enough to know that I steer clear of worrying about things that we can’t control."
At the team meeting, McDaniel continued his pitch:
"I refuse to do this job and not give you guys my true, authentic self. I will not change. I will not. ... I'm not (bleeping) changing. Nor should you.
"I'm excited the world is going to find out where we are each and every day."
Maybe so, but it was impossible not to notice the body english on many unconvinced players, some of whom already have spoken out against the intrusion.
There's what? Where? Who knew?
The auditorium where the Dolphins meet has a basketball hoop by the door.
Hill seems to enjoy having it there.
More:When Dolphins play on Thanksgiving, feathers can (and usually do) get ruffled
Tyreek Hill already takes center stage
Predictably, Hill, a k a "Cheetah," already is a star of the show, narrated by Liev Schreiber.
Hill allowed cameras into his home, including as he chatted with his bride, Keeta, as well as when he talked wedding rings with receiver Braxton Berrios at practice.
Tua Tagovailoa's braids get TV time
QB coach Darrell Bevell approves of Tua Tagovailoa's cornrows, which debuted last week.
"It looks good, man," Bevell said. "Nice. Nice."
Then came insight into Tagovailoa's partnership with McDaniel.
"If I'm doing my job right for you, there's always going to be one or two (things) that you're mad at," McDaniel told Tagovailoa. The two agree, "I think we're getting better at it, though."
Mike McDaniel's approach with players is just what you think
During practice, McDaniel huddled with edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Chubb.
"I want you to be the very best that you can possibly be," McDaniel said. "So then, your career is as good as it can be, you can be rich -- so then, I can be rich."
Talking shop even during OL dinner on Thursdays
Cameras followed the offensive linemen to their Thursday night dinner, this time in Fort Lauderdale.
Even there, tackle Terron Armstead warned teammates they had to be on top of their game against Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a candidate for league MVP.
LB coach Anthony Campanile draws laughs ... then stuff gets VERY serious
LB coach Anthony Campanelli has a "cake leaderboard" that he projects at meetings. Then, the best players from the previous game are awarded actual cakes. On this occasion, Phillips, Chubb and Zach Sieler got cakes. Chubb gave his to Xavien Howard.
"Apparently, a lot of guys like cake," McDaniel said.
More seriously, Campanile appealed to players to turn up the intensity, using the example of a man running down the street holding all of the players' worldly possessions, including their family, on the premise, he said, that you're at the best when you're doing things for the people you love.
"That would make me out of my (bleeping) mind," Campanile told players. "That ain't gonna (bleeping) happen."
(As you may have noticed, it's a good thing the show airs on HBO. Otherwise, the audio track would bleep out, oh, every other word.)
Ref won't give Hill's peace (sign) a chance
Before kickoff, referee Bill Vinovich told Hill to make sure he was set on shifts and "have a great game," but implored him not to flash any peace signs. Hill has been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for his peace sign.
"But I'm trying to spread world peace," Hill replied.
Vinovich also was shown telling Tagovailoa, "Stay healthy, man, we need you."
McDaniel tries to get to mad Maxx
During the Dolphins' 20-13 win over the Raiders last Sunday, McDaniel was determined to throw Crosby off his game, saying he's going to stare him down.
Crosby, held to one sack in this game, didn't appear to notice.
"He's definitely avoiding eye contact with me," said McDaniel, who was shown postgame telling Crosby what an outstanding player he is.
Hill's hand really was aching (so was fan's, apparently)
Hill may have injured his hand more than he let on. He was shown telling a teammate on the sideline, "I can't even move my hand." Later, "I got my hand hit again. I (bleeped) my hand up again."
Hill returned and finished the game with 10 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, cameras stayed trained on his bride and mom, Anesha, including when the fan sitting behind them fumbled his nachos onto their chairs, and them.
"I'm gonna go take a shower," Anesha said.
Closing the show ...
McDaniel gave game balls to Hill and Ramsey, who made two interceptions that looked even better in NFL Films' slo-mo.
Follow Dolphins reporter Hal Habib on social media @gunnerhal.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Groups Urge the EPA to Do Its Duty: Regulate Factory Farm Emissions
- Zendaya Feeds Tom Holland Ice Cream on Romantic London Stroll, Proving They’re the Coolest Couple
- Here's where your money goes when you buy a ticket from a state-run lottery
- 'Most Whopper
- Did AI write this headline?
- Bob Huggins says he didn't resign as West Virginia basketball coach
- Lessons From The 2011 Debt Ceiling Standoff
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Forests of the Living Dead
Ranking
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Cuomo’s New Climate Change Plan is Ambitious but Short on Money
- Biden's grandfatherly appeal may be asset overseas at NATO summit
- Twitter auctioned off office supplies, including a pizza oven and neon bird sign
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me gets release date
- Environmental Justice Leaders Look for a Focus on Disproportionately Impacted Communities of Color
- New York orders Trump companies to pay $1.6M for tax fraud
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Fives States Have Filed Climate Change Lawsuits, Seeking Damages From Big Oil and Gas
Here's what's at stake in Elon Musk's Tesla tweet trial
Many workers barely recall signing noncompetes, until they try to change jobs
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
To Understand How Warming is Driving Harmful Algal Blooms, Look to Regional Patterns, Not Global Trends
4 ways around a debt ceiling crisis — and why they might not work
Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me gets release date