NFL: Huge 'Hard Knocks' News
FOX Sports Exclusive
Rex wants no part of 'Hard Knocks?'
HBO wants the Jets to be featured once again on 'Hard Knocks' but they have run into an unexpected obstacle: Rex Ryan.
League sources tell FOXSports.com that owner Woody Johnson wants his team back on the HBO hit show and has communicated that to the network. But his outspoken coach is against the project.
Ryan, according to sources, does not want any more of a circus type atmosphere around the Jets after last season's bickering and collapse and this offseason's trade for Tim Tebow. The Jets drama in 2010 made the show a must-watch, ranging from Ryan's foul mouth and telling his team at the end of a meeting to "get a G-d damn snack," to cornerback Antonio Cromartie stumbling over the names of his nine kids, to the Darrelle Revis holdout.
Johnson sees incredible value in doing the show, always seeking attention for his team in a market that the Super Bowl champion Giants still own. Johnson would also like to dominate the New York headlines in August, a month usually dominated by baseball.
Before reaching out to the Jets, HBO wanted Peyton Manning and the Broncos to be on 'Hard Knocks,' but were flat out denied.
If Rex wins the power struggle, HBO has interest in featuring both the Niners and Ravens, focusing on the Harbaugh brothers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, ranked last in the latest Harris Interactive Poll for league popularity, have told HBO they would love to do the show.
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