Hard Knocks: Matty Ice & the Atlanta Falcons

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Falcons-to-be-2014-HBO-Hard-Knocks-Team/7ab3a3c2-6813-4e47-a5de-5a9932712a06
 

 
Was hoping for a more charismatic QB, but they're a talented team and should have some compelling players. 

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

LOL that means we'll see more of Dimitroff and the newest assistant GM Pioli:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7JBgz5Y2I

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Roddy White has said a ton of dumb shit on Twitter. I'm expecting at least a few memorable quotes from him. 

 

[86spike]

Kroy Biermann's wife is stoked.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Bump -- premieres tonight!
 
My prediction is we see a lot of Rasheed Hageman, being ornery.
 
http://www.hbo.com/#/hard-knocks/episodes/atlanta-falcons/1-episode/video/hard-knocks-episode-1-preview.html/eNrjcmbOYM7XLMtMSc13zEvMqSzJTHbOzytJrShRz89JgQkFJKan+iXmpjIXcjIysoGgdGJpSX5BTmKlbUlRaSoAUBcXOA==

 

[TheDeuce222]

Thought that was a good first episode. SOSH pre-draft favorite rookie Dez Southward had a hilarious impersonation of the special teams coach. Please less Kroy Biermann and his miserable wife and more Tyler Starr and his smoke show wife.

 

[Buster Olney the Lonely]

Love this show. I don't even care what team is on it. It could have been the Tennessee Titans and I'd watch every minute of it. 
 
Never thought I'd say this, but Kroy Biermann might be more annoying than his bleach blonde wife. Wanted to see Matthews pummel him. Their living room was hilarious. Just screamed "We have lots of money but no taste."

 

[Shelterdog]

Love this show. I don't even care what team is on it. It could have been the Tennessee Titans and I'd watch every minute of it. 
 
Never thought I'd say this, but Kroy Biermann might be more annoying than his bleach blonde wife. Wanted to see Matthews pummel him. Their living room was hilarious. Just screamed "We have lots of money but no taste."

 
One great thing about the show is that you get a sense of how fucking big these guys are in real life.  Matthews looks like the goddamn incredible hulk. 

 

[gtg807y]

Seeing their houses makes it really easy to see how these guys can go broke. Really, Harry Douglas, you're buying the garish faux-Mediterranean mansion? Willy Moore at least got a new contract last year, and Biermann's skank real housewife probably brings in good income too, but I don't know how many huge paydays are in HD's future. But yeah, I love seeing those average veterans trying to throw their weight around getting their asses kicked by rookies. Which probably is happening, because apparently Jake Matthews is having a great camp.  

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

I had always liked Steven Jackson before but definitely got a whole new look into his life. I was surprised that his artwork wasn't terrible.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Maybe it's just me, but this episode seemed better than anything from last season in Cincy. 
 
Just more validation that Cincinnati sucks. 

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

As with most reality shows, what made this pop was all the fighting.  Can't remember that many punches getting thrown in previous seasons. 
 
And I'm definitely rooting for Matthews and the rookie linebacker #45 for taking what they took from self-entitled veterans and came off looking all the tougher for it.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Maybe it's just me, but this episode seemed better than anything from last season in Cincy. 
 
Just more validation that Cincinnati sucks. 

Agreed 100%. I've always loved this snow an last year was the first time I've ever been bored with it. Last night was validation that it wasn't just me.

 

[soxfan121]

 

[mpx42]

 
I picture him with that expression right before he made this hit.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Hageman punching a guy's helmet during a fight and getting a bone bruise makes me think passing on the guy was the right decision.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

 
That's the "longshot" Tyler Starr's kid after he made a late-game appearance. The kid's got an eye...

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Hageman punching a guy's helmet during a fight and getting a bone bruise makes me think passing on the guy was the right decision.

 
He is also annoying and whiny.  I know that doesn't really matter because I don't ever hear any Patriots talk or interact with coaches/teammates and if he was a Pat all I would really care about is if he can play good football, but damn, I think I hate him.
 
Bryan Cox hits so many football coach archtypes in the best possible way.  He is one of the highlights of the show. 

 

[Shelterdog]

 
He is also annoying and whiny.  I know that doesn't really matter because I don't ever hear any Patriots talk or interact with coaches/teammates and if he was a Pat all I would really care about is if he can play good football, but damn, I think I hate him.
 
Bryan Cox hits so many football coach archtypes in the best possible way.  He is one of the highlights of the show. 

 
My (very young) children now get called Cupcake if they don't have proper manners at dinner.  They fucking hate it.

 

[Phil Plantier]

Besides Bryan Cox, I'm not sure the rest of the show is that watchable. This is the first season I've watched in a while (since the first one, I think). Are all the teams this boring? The big tension seems to be injuries (fine) and fights in practice (whatever).

 

[mpx42]

Love how they introduced JJ Watt like a supervillain, then he proceeded to absolutely destroy sixth overall pick Jake Matthews right in front of his dad.
 
The problem with Hard Knocks is that the teams everyone wants to see won't do the show. Last truly memorable one was the Jets, for me.

 

[86spike]

"I told you I started fuckin' at 10"

 

[rodderick]

"I told you I started fuckin' at 10"

 
Bryan Cox is the star of this show. Awesome guy.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

http://youtu.be/tdB9qsN7UTI

 

[RedOctober3829]

"I told you I started fuckin' at 10"

The guy is the man.

 

[SMU_Sox]

I have a Matt Ryan story that is anything butt square (and no that isn't a poor choice of grammar). It's absolutely NSFW. PM me if you want details... it's pretty sick but somewhat entertaining.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

JJ Watt re: Matthews "your little tackle".

Matthews is 6' 5" and 304 lbs.

 

[MainerInExile]

I have a Matt Ryan story that is anything butt square (and no that isn't a poor choice of grammar). It's absolutely NSFW. PM me if you want details... it's pretty sick but somewhat entertaining.

 
That's why god invented P&G!

 

[SMU_Sox]

JJ Watt re: Matthews "your little tackle".

Matthews is 6' 5" and 304 lbs.

 
You know how we talk about how offense sells vs. defense? JJ Watt is arguably the best defensive player in the league right now.
 
But check this out. Of the training camp time period the hype is for the rookie QB's and the offense in general over defense if you just look at jersey sales. 
 
Only 6 of the top 25 jerseys are from guys who play defense. 13 are QB's. Now the time of this article is clearly geared towards rookies but it's not like this is an anomaly. Jersey sales in the past are heavily skewed (SKU'd hahahaha) towards offensive players. This overlaps on a few threads but since you mentioned JJ Watt here and I don't think this deserves its own thread...
 
Quick edit: Watt is 21st. That's pretty amazing to me... And yes, Michael Sam is 6th fwiw. 

 

[Super Nomario]

 
You know how we talk about how offense sells vs. defense? JJ Watt is arguably the best defensive player in the league right now.
 
But check this out. Of the training camp time period the hype is for the rookie QB's and the offense in general over defense if you just look at jersey sales. 
 
Only 6 of the top 25 jerseys are from guys who play defense. 13 are QB's. Now the time of this article is clearly geared towards rookies but it's not like this is an anomaly. Jersey sales in the past are heavily skewed (SKU'd hahahaha) towards offensive players. This overlaps on a few threads but since you mentioned JJ Watt here and I don't think this deserves its own thread...
 
Quick edit: Watt is 21st. That's pretty amazing to me... And yes, Michael Sam is 6th fwiw. 

Of course, Watt was on a team that finished 2-14 last year. Which shows a) how much team success factors into national profile, b) how little impact one defender (really, any non-QB) has on the success of a team.

 

[Shelterdog]

JJ Watt re: Matthews "your little tackle".

Matthews is 6' 5" and 304 lbs.

 
JJ Watt sucks at talking trash.  He wants to be such a badass (and as a player he totally is) but it just isn't natural for him. The Ray Rice I've eaten burritos bigger than you, the spitting on Gilette field--it's all just incredibly contrived.

 

[SawxSince67]

Hageman pulling his shirt over his head and pouting during film...then bitching and stalling during his sprints...astounding to watch, but not as astounding as Cox mostly tolerating it.

37th overall pick buys a little rope, I guess.

Hate to watch guys get cut. Ugh.

Andrew Ference approves of the GM's fashion sense.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

Hageman pulling his shirt over his head and pouting during film...then bitching and stalling during his sprints...astounding to watch, but not as astounding as Cox mostly tolerating it.

37th overall pick buys a little rope, I guess.

Truth -- I remember how much I was hoping the Pats would grab Hageman in the first round this year based on his measurables... shows just how poorly informed draftniks can be without having the chance to meet the player in person.  Hageman comes across as a total baby.

 

[Marciano490]

Yeah, the Falcons really don't have much intrigue for me. Bryan Cox has been fun to watch but Matt Ryan is about as square as it gets. It was much more enjoyable when we got to laugh at Sanchez, Rex, and Cromartie.

 
His attempt to tell that pussywillow joke was so awkward.  I was shocked around the draft when everyone went on about what a leader he was.  I didn't know a single guy on BC that year that liked him.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

I couldn't quite figure out who Hageman reminded me of. Then it hit me.
 

 

[Marciano490]

Of course, Watt was on a team that finished 2-14 last year. Which shows a) how much team success factors into national profile, b) how little impact one defender (really, any non-QB) has on the success of a team.

 
Watt is probably my favorite non-Patriots player.  Guy's an absolute beast, seems humble off the field, and is the best actor/pitchman this side of Peyton.

 

[lithos2003]

 
Watt is probably my favorite non-Patriots player.  Guy's an absolute beast, seems humble off the field, and is the best actor/pitchman this side of Peyton.

 
Plus, who can forget his work in The League...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDIPtdeRd9U

 

[Phil Plantier]

I saw that special teams meeting at the start of the episode and thought to myself "I've never had anyone scream at me like that in any job I've had." I wonder if more modern motivational techniques (as in the QB coach with the 4th string QB) will ever be more widely accepted in the NFL.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Too much of the Housewife.

 

[kenneycb]

Matty Ice - king of the back door cover?

I always thought that was the irrefutably handsome Quinton Porter...