**** Spoilers Ahead**** Do not read if you still want to watch Episode 1 of HBO’s “Hard Knocks”
…You think you know how certain people are based on how the media talks about them- how they are in interviews- uh, and yeah. I was 10 years old maybe when he started playing. I remember him winning the Super Bowl, so, like, how can I enjoy this as much as possible while he is here. How can I make this window as good as possible while he is here? So that I get the most out of it. So our team gets the most out of it. It is a blessing. It is a blessing.
~ Garret Wilson
**** Spoilers Ahead**** Do not read if you still want to watch Episode 1 of HBO’s “Hard Knocks”
It is an intentional move that the first scene in HBO’s 2023 Hard Knocks Series is one of Aaron Rodgers walking out onto the practice field. A fan yells, “Welcome to New York Aaron.” Rodgers just smiles, keeps that sly calm Rodgers-look he was known for in Green Bay and then became the major centerpiece of Episode One.
It feels like Rodgers is 95% of what the episode is about.
Even 12 minutes into the episode when star rookie receiver Garret Wilson is featured, Rodgers still is top of mind. Wilson gets a moment; Rodgers gets an entire episode.
When Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh is interviewed he simply states, “I’ve never coached a quarterback this good!” Episode 1 is a clear honorific to the former Packers QB.
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The Footage
The start of the episode focuses on the start of Jets training camp. Coach Saleh gives a unique speech about how crows are the only birds that can fight eagles.
Then Rodgers “wins” the endzone drill by hitting Allen Lazard with an incredible, over the shoulder across the field touchdown pass. Then the Rodgers footage begins. It really never ends.
Garret Wilson gets a quick feature (see the opening quote). Then Sauce Gardner gets a feature. In the Gardner sequence they discuss his graduating from the University of Cincinnati. But of course, the energy seems centered around Rodgers.
The Hype on Hard Knocks
From rapper Method Man (who addresses the team) to Tiki Barber to Jason Garret, everyone wanted to be around the start of this camp. And everyone wanted to see how Aaron Rodgers would look and play.
Of course the craziest moment is when a helicopter flies into practice and out steps the narrator of the show Liev Schreiber. Rodgers, in being let know on a golf course the Jest would be featured on “Hard Knocks” , refers to him as the “voice of God”. Rodgers and Schreiber meet, shake hands, and address the notion that Rogers has been a “fan, for forever”.
Rodgers then touches a ball the Schreiber decides to, “keep forever.”
Nathaniel Hackett, Al Woods and “No Look Passes”
The former Packers offensive coordinator and former head coach of the Denver Broncos takes a prominent role half the way through the episode. He addresses the importance of communicating and “keeping an eye on the quarterback for checks”. He also has some nice “tongue and cheek” scenes with Rodgers and it is readily apparent Aaron really likes him and really trusts him.
The defense, the running back room and pretty much everyone refers to “how we do this with #8” as a continuous message.
Al Woods says, “I don’t care what anyone says about #8 man. He is a cool dude. And he is special as ______.”
He continues, “He is nothing like what people portray about him.”
Rodgers then, in the next scene, is featured throwing tons of “no-look” passes. Rodgers compliments former second overall pick Zach Wilson as being a good “no-look” passer. Of course, one of the biggest beneficiaries from the Jets signing Rodgers will be Wilson. One can safely assume Wilson will learn a ton from Rodgers. The episode features a ton of out of pocket conversations between Wilson and Rodgers.
Rodgers also calls Nathaniel Hackett, “his brother. We really love each other.”
The Final Verdict
This show is worth your time. However, if you are a Packer fan who truly thinks the Packers made the wrong move by moving away from Rodgers to Jordan Love, this will be a painful watch. Rodgers is still a huge star.
The episode ends with some sideline footage of Rodgers and Saleh at the NFL’s first preseason game goofing around, getting ready for what will be a wonderfully entertaining season. The Browns won the NFL’s first preseason game of the 2023 season, 21-16.
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