*** HBO Hard Knocks 2024 *** (2 Viewers)

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Wow. The Bears are starting to look like a solid organization. It's clear Flus is great with the players. Now let's see if he's learned how to manage game flow, particularly on the offensive end. I have been impressed by Ryan Poles and his time in Chicago. I'm loving the interactions between Caleb and the rest of the team. He definitely doesn't present that "diva" attitude at all in the bits we've see so far.

Things I want to see more of in this series:

- Shane Waldron (OC) and Erik Washington (DC) interaction with the players. Who's calling plays on OFF and DEF and what are their roles.
- More on the backup QB battle
- Progression of Caleb Williams, which they have already alluded to.
- More focus on the Defense and how it's shaping up

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Can we take a moment to acknowledge that this Benedet guy just pulled off a real life Seinfeldian t-bone by stripping down to eagle-themed briefs and getting a cool nickname out of it?

 

[Faust]

'Hard Knocks': First-round rookie Rome Odunze channeling Kobe Bryant's advice, building chemistry with Caleb Williams

 

[Grahamburn]

I don't see it as disrespectful.

GM is charged with building a winner and re-upping on a 27 year old RB doesn't make sense in their position. It's a very acceptable stance.

What was more telling to me is how pissed Saquon sounded...he does not like Schoen and I'm guessing that stems from the franchise tag stuff the prior year.


I'm loving this series...a much more in depth look at the offseason front office stuff that's ever been shown before (that I'm aware of)

I mean they disrespected him for 3 years with the contract talk and the leaks ("he asked for $15 million"). You don't treat your best offensive player and the face of the franchise like crap in the sense that they never really sat down and offered him a contract equal to his status, I'm, sorry. Saquon was very transparent in his wishes over the years, and the Giants basically said for him to shop around twice.

I just started watching this and it's fresh in my mind. They clearly agonized over and tried to extend the kid last off-season. He didn't accept the deal. Don't be spiteful when you know they're tagging you if you don't take it. That's on him. All told the deal offered in the 2023 off-season was probably higher than the one he signed with the Eagles. Mara clearly wanted him back. The Giants didn't win anything with Barkley on the team though. What is Schoen's top priority? Putting a winner on the field.

Now, it could be argued giving Jones the contract they did completely hamstrung them when they probably should have just accepted the 5th year option and then franchised DJ instead. Now they're stuck waiting to see what they have in him by "giving him a weapon" while their other best weapon left out of spite. My guess is Barkley was pretty effing ticked he got the tag and Jones got the cash. That's where they screwed up.

 

[Grahamburn]

Dabol talking to QB in the meetings was fascinating.

yeah, I liked that part...Daboll interrupting them mid sentence asking the QBs to repeat the playcall was a short term memory test that seemed to rattle the kids.,,.borderline rude but I get that this isn't a normal interview.

Favorite play discussions also interesting. The combine interviews/discussions was my favorite part.

Dabol lounging in front of the ownership group like IDGAF cracked me up.

 

[Grahamburn]

"C'mon Saquon, what do you really want? A few extra million dollars to play for a contender that can get you within a game or two of a Super Bowl? Or two more years of your career behind our substandard line and then we induct you into our RING OF HONOR??"

To be fair he never actually said any of that stuff to SaQuon. He was confiding in others that Barkley had previously said he wanted to be a Giant for life. If that were true he wouldn't have been spiteful about the business part of it. He also went to their worst rival just to spite the Giants. Not saying either side is wrong or right, but Barkley had just as much to do with him not being there as the Giants did.

 

[Zow]

"C'mon Saquon, what do you really want? A few extra million dollars to play for a contender that can get you within a game or two of a Super Bowl? Or two more years of your career behind our substandard line and then we induct you into our RING OF HONOR??"

To be fair he never actually said any of that stuff to SaQuon. He was confiding in others that Barkley had previously said he wanted to be a Giant for life. If that were true he wouldn't have been spiteful about the business part of it. He also went to their worst rival just to spite the Giants. Not saying either side is wrong or right, but Barkley had just as much to do with him not being there as the Giants did.

Right. I didn't take issue with what Schoen said as it basically summarized what appears to be the true status of the matter.

I frankly thought both Saquon and Schoen/Giants acted reasonably given that it's ultimately a business.

 

[Faust]

'Hard Knocks': Bears GM Ryan Poles sought extension as part of potential Matt Judon trade

NFL world reacts to Episode 3 of Bears "Hard Knocks"

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

Poles continues to impress. It's amazing seeing the difference between he and Schoen. I've not been privy to previous training camps / preseasons, but this team seems to have really good chemistry. Hopefully that will translate into Ws this season.

 

[Grahamburn]

Nitpicky Caleb thoughts: He has more purses than my wife. Doesn't really come off like a natural leader to me. Seems a little indifferent in some of these conversations with coaches. I think he does get nervous.

Big fan of Bagent's Dad.

 

[-jb-]

I was really excited about this season. TBH, I'm bored out of my mind.

 

[Faust]

'Hard Knocks': Chiefs' Mecole Hardman casts doubt on Bears QB Caleb Williams not getting 'nervous

Hard Knocks recap: Velus Jones Jr., Ian Wheeler, Austin Reed get one last chance to impress Bears

Bears HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2024: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 4

 

[Faust]

Here's 1 thing you probably won't see from Steelers during 'Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North' series

 

[IHEARTFF]

Let’s go

 

[Faust]

Check out the top moments from HBO's in-season 'Hard Knocks' featuring Bengals, AFC North

 

[Faust]

Steelers, AFC North HBO 'Hard Knocks' 2024: Best Fan Tweets, Memes from Episode 1