Atlanta turns down HBO’s Hard Knocks

HBO and the NFL have a problem. They can’t find a team to sign on for Hard Knocks. At least not their first choices.

The latest report is that the Atlanta Falcons said no to the all-access show. Albert Breer of NFL.com reports:

The decision was made by, among others, owner Arthur Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith. They were in agreement that the focus should be on football over the summer, and they didn’t want anything to distract from that.

Can’t argue with that. Previously, the Denver Broncos declined, and the publicity hounds at New York Jets headquarters also said no to an encore performance. The Jets already will have enough of a zoo-like feel with Tim Tebow in camp.

So who’s next? Awful Announcing suggests a Harbaugh-Harbaugh show.

The idea of Harbaugh 2 Harbaugh has been floated out with the Ravens & 49ers taking on dual starring roles, so perhaps HBO goes in that direction for the show.  The Ravens were the first team to partake in Hard Knocks in 2001 so the franchise has experience.  And let’s face it, Jim Harbaugh has never met a camera he didn’t like.

Of course, if everyone says no, Awlful Announcing says, “There’s always the Jaguars.”