New edition to the Hard Knocks family.

This edition of Hard Knocks will bring something a little different. While this new version of Hard Knocks will cover the offseason process, the traditional style of the show that follows teams during training camp into the regular season is still expected to air later this summer, featuring a different team.

HBO’s description of Offseason with the New York Giants.

Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants brings viewers inside the New York Giants organization as they prepare for their highly anticipated 100th season. Camera crews chronicle the team’s every move as general manager Joe Schoen and the front office navigate the critical offseason period — from the NFL Scouting Combine and free agency to the NFL Draft and team minicamps.

Ownership’s Reluctance with the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks

Co-owner John Mara has long insisted that his storied franchise would never take part of Hard Knocks there seems to be a different direction now. “When I’m next to my father in Gates of Heaven Cemetery,” Mara told the New York Daily News when asked when the Giants would allow HBO’s cameras into their facility.

Moving Forward with the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” Giants senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy Nilay Shah said. “Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

When and How to Watch

Mark your calendars: Hard Knocks airs every Tuesday at 9 PM ET on HBO, debuting July 2, 2024, and running until July 30. You can also stream it on HBO Max, with clips available on Giants.com and other Giants social media platforms.

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It took 23 years, but the NFL finally got the New York Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks.

We learned that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are Joe Schoen’s go-to when on the road. He said that he ate PB&J sandwiches while driving as an area scout, and also ate them when driving to New York after being hired as the Giants’ new GM in 2022.

But while that’s a fun anecdote, it wasn’t the big story from the first episode.

The real meat of the first episode was the peek behind the scenes of the Giants’ free agency process, particularly with respect to star running back Saquon Barkley.

The value of Saquon Barkley

“Certain positions have high dollar points because they’re positions of impact,” said assistant GM Brandon Brown “You want to make sure you get return on your investment.”

The big question for the Giants was whether Barkley — and the running back position in general — is worth that investment.

Schoen said early in the episode that the running back position became less and less of a need for the Giants in comparison to the rest of the roster. He observed that the Giants needed to add a cornerback, a pass rusher, and a number one receiver, saying “that running back keeps going down.”

“We’re not going to franchise him,” Schoen said, noting that the team wasn’t going to be realistic to franchise and trade him. The Giants didn’t anticipate anyone giving up draft picks for Barkley as well as sign him to a $12 million per year contract. They regarded a potential tag and trade scenario as a “Hail Mary”.

The Giants’ front office members also seemed skeptical that any team with a $20 million per year receiver would pay Barkley what he was asking. As it so happens, the Philadelphia Eagles were willing to give Barkley that contract. And in light of how the Giants’ brass values the running back position, the Eagles signing Barkley likely came as a surprise.

Schoen questioned how Philly would allocate their funds given their own needs. That’s particularly true given that their divisional rival would also have to pay receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, both who whom would garter far more than $20 million per year.

Replacing Barkley

With respect to the class of running back free agents as a whole, Schoen said, “There’s going to be saturation in the running back market, there could be some value guys there.”

He later said to John Mara that he believed that the Giants wouldn’t need to draft a running back highly to replace Barkley, but that they would be able to address the position with a high value player in the second week of free agency.

The Giants’ brain trust discussed multiple free agent running backs. From Zack Moss and Tony Pollard to Devin Singletary, who they ultimately signed.

We know that Hard Knocks is edited in such a way as to give us a glimpse behind the scenes, but without giving away much of anything to future opponents. Even so, we got some interesting insight on the running back position, and perhaps into the offense as a whole.

The discussion around Singletary noted that (in contrast to Moss) he’s more of a receiving threat, and a screen player in particular, on third downs than a pass protector. That could be a hint that the Giants will look to emphasize running back screens in the upcoming season. They also noted that Moss was a “banger” on first and second downs, while Singletary is more of a finesse player. In light of that — and of course the pick of Malik Nabers at 6th overall — that the Giants are going to be more pass-heavy than in previous years.

Schoen also noted that the Giants aren’t paying Daniel Jones $40 million to hand the ball off. It seems clear that the plan has been to add weapons in the passing game, and put the offense wholly on Jones.

Put simply, the first episode makes clear that this wasn’t Saquon Barkley’s team anymore. 2024 is all about Daniel Jones.

The post Giants’ Saquon Barkley decision focal point of ‘Hard Knocks’ debut episode first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

But as they enter their 100th season of existence, they are determined to change that perception. HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” features the new Giants’ hierarchy, led by youthful general Manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, at work using 21st-century technology to build a winning roster.

The series, which debuts on Tuesday, July 2 on HBO and will stream on MAX, will show the Giants’ front office going through the offseason process of the NFL Combine and draft and the preparation that leads up to those events as well as free agency and the offseason workout program.

It is HBO and NFL Films’ first foray into a team’s winter schedule.

Charlotte Carroll, who covers the Giants for The Athletic, recently listed six reasons to watch the series which will include: the Saquon Barkley defection, the shakeup within the coaching ranks, the failed quest for a new quarterback, the Brian Burns trade, Shane Bowen’s defense and Daniel Jones’ rehab.

What will be most interesting is the fans will get to see inside the walls of 1925 Giants Drive and what all those people are doing on a daily basis.

As one who has been inside the building many times, I always wondered myself, but over time, I have learned that it truly takes a village to run an NFL organization.

The post Hard Knocks promises to give Giants fans a peek behind the curtain first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Co-owner John Mara always contended his storied franchise would never participate in the show, which features an in-depth look at an individual NFL team’s trials and tribulations during training camp.

“When I’m next to my father in Gates of Heaven Cemetery,” Mara said a few years back when asked when the Giants will let HBO’s cameras into their facility.

Well, Mara is still very much alive and his team — albeit in an off-season iteration of the original formula — will take their turn on the long-running program.

The Giants will be featured on the offseason version of the show and their front office will be the main focus, not the players. HBO began filming in January and is in the process of wrapping this week.

So, what changed Mara’s mind? Why is he suddenly so receptive to the idea?

Marketing.

This year marks the franchise’s 100th season and what better way to promote that than appearing on a national program that almost every NFL enthusiast watches religiously?

Plus, the time and circumstances finally aligned to Mara’s liking. It gives him an opportunity to repair the team’s fraying image publicly. In addition, it will serve as the first peek into a team’s offseason process and provide a comprehensive look at the engine that drives an NFL team behind the scenes.

“How do we identify and target that 17-year-old kid who lives out in California who may never go to any of our YouTube channels or our social media accounts?” said Nilay Shah, the Giants’ senior vice president for marketing and brand strategy, via The Athletic. “How do we get them to understand the history and the impact this organization has had in the NFL in the context of our 100th season?”

It’s a new era in Giants football as well. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are not camera shy. The agreement reached with HBO was to display the team’s offseason process — the draft, free agency, OTAs, and minicamps — rather than disrupt training camp.

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” said Shah.

“Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

The five-part original series premieres Tuesday, July 2 at 9:00 p.m. EDT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max, with new episodes debuting subsequent Tuesdays through July 30.

The post What finally convinced Giants’ John Mara to surrender to Hard Knocks? first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

• Lions
• Raiders
• 49ers
• Redskins
• Giants

“I have nothing against the show. It may not be for us, but I understand why teams would want to appear on it. I just think that participation should be voluntary, not compulsory.”

John Mara On Hard Knocks.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

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The post Will The New York Giants Appear On HBO’s Hard Knocks? first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

It’s that time of year again, and once again the Giants have placed themselves in a position where they can be chosen to participate in HBO’s off season documentary Hard Knocks. The Giants historically have avoided such media access and elect to run their franchise quietly.

The NFL will continue to ensure that teams will be in line for each off season, they set forth the following excluding criteria. Team that do not meet any of the exclusions may be chosen. 

1. Teams that have appeared on Hard Knocks in the last 10 years.
2. Teams with new head coaches. 
3. Teams that have made the playoffs in either of the last two years. 

The Giants, Redskins, Browns, Texans, Jaguars, Titans, Vikings, Buccaneers and Rams are all eligible for 2015

The NFL hopes that teams would volunteer to be filmed but a majority of teams do not want such an unnecessary distraction.

Giants Co-Owner John Marra has voiced strong opinions on the matter in the past.

“That announcement will come when I’m next to my father in Gates of Heaven cemetery.” He said “I voted against the resolution. I have nothing against the show. It may not be for us, but I understand why teams would want to appear on it. I just think that participation should be voluntary, not compulsory.”

As well as Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

“Do you think it has anything to do with whether I say yes or no?” Coughlin said. “First of all, realize that I would have absolutely no say in this, but if it came down to me? Absolutely not.”

Past HBO HardKnocks

Baltimore Ravens (2001)
Dallas Cowboys (2002)
Kansas City Chiefs (2007)
Dallas Cowboys (2008)
Cincinnati Bengals (2009)
New York Jets (2010)
Miami Dolphins (2012)
Cincinnati Bengals (2013)
Atlanta Falcons (2014)

The post Giants Could End Up On HBO’s Hard Knocks first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

Are the New York Giants a target for HBO’s Hard Knocks? The NFL has made a commitment to HBO’s preseason show Hard Knocks guaranteeing future seasons and episodes.

The end of the 2011 season HBO and the NFL could not find any team that was willing to commit to recording. That year HBO put together a best of season that was not well received.

The NFL stated If no team volunteers one will be chosen. Here are the excluding criteria.

1. Teams that have appeared on Hard Knocks in the last 10 years.
2. Teams with new head coaches.
3. Teams that have made the playoffs in either of the last two years.

Based on that criteria 2014 season leaves us with the following 8 potential teams. Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and St. Louis Rams.

Giants co-owner John Mara previously had a strong opinion if the Giants will participate Hard Knocks when asked by Mike Lupica.

“That announcement will come,” he said, “when I’m next to my father in Gates of Heaven cemetery.”

Mara re-addressed the issue this past October after the NFL’s vote and final statement.

“I voted against the resolution,” he said Tuesday. “I have nothing against the show. It may not be for us, but I understand why teams would want to appear on it. I just think that participation should be voluntary, not compulsory.”

So the question is why the Giants? Heading into camp this year there are many questions and lots of drama surrounding our boys in Blue, and television loves the drama.

We start off with Kevin Gilbride’s retirement/firing however you want to call it. And enter new offensive coach Ben Mcado and his explosive Green Bay Packers offense.

Manning is coming off a second season which he played poorly. During his last game he suffered a minor injury. This injury forced surgery late in the off-season causing him to miss valuable time and possibly the whole preseason.

Manning’s injury led the Giants to pick up quarterback Josh Freeman. And it looks like the Giants will hold 4 QBs for a bit, unless Nassib gets traded Thursday.

There are the story lines about Tom Coughlin and whether this will be his last season stalking the sidelines. About Jerry Reese and how his back is against the wall heading into this season, and seeing his draft picks and free agent acquisitions under the HBO microscope may make for good TV as well. There is the turnover the roster has undergone this off season, and considering the Giants recent Super Bowls and more recent struggles, seeing how a future Hall of Famer like Coughlin goes about bringing this new group together through the dog days of camp would be captivating TV as well.

And then there is the reason why the Giants will probably get the nod from the NFL to appear on Hard Knocks. They don’t want to be on it. The Giants have voiced loud for all to hear they want nothing to do with Hard Knocks, not that there is anything wrong with being on it, just not for us. Well, the ball is in the NFL’s hands now and I got a funny feeling, the NFL will find a way to get one of the NFL’s most storied and successful franchises under the spotlight of a scolding hot sun all summer long.

BLEED BIG BLUE SOUND OFF: HARD KNOCKS FOR BIG BLUE?…WHAT SAY YOU?

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Who is Russ Lande?…And what is his significance in regards to this article?

(South Orange, New Jersey, USA) is Sporting News’ NFL Draft Expert, Former NFL Scout & Front Office Executive. Russ Lande, is currently a Sporting News.com NFL Draft Expert and President and Founder of GMJR.com. For the Sporting News, Lande is responsible for writing NFL insider content, providing detailed scouting reports on college players and posting an ongoing mock draft in the “War Room” leading up to the NFL Draft. Before working for Sporting News, Lande served as a college scout for the Cleveland Browns for three years covering the mid-west region while evaluating all eligible prospects for the NFL Draft. He covers all-star games, the NFL Combine and pro days. Lande continues to appear on radio stations across the country. Lande is also the author of the annual “GM Jr Draft Guide” which has been called the most comprehensive, unique and thorough NFL Draft Guide ever written and made available to the fans and scouts of the NFL.

The post Why Extending Eli’s Contract Might Not Be In The Big Blue Plans first appeared on Bleedbigblue.com.

HBO Hard Knocks 2013

It’s now official: HBO Hard Knocks 2013 will feature The Cincinnati Bengals. HBO made this announcement Monday morning.

Thia season is slated to start on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 10 p.m. ET and continue each Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET until the series finale Sept. 3.

As a Giants fan we can only dream of the day to see our beloved Gmen profiles in this series. I am so curious on Jerry Resse and his ability to run the front office and evaluate talent.

When Mike Lupica asked John Mara when can we anticipate the Giants on HBO’s Hard Knocks Mara stated “That announcement will come,

when I’m next to my father in Gates

of Heaven cemetery.” More easily put, over my dead body.”

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