Cleveland Browns NFL 2015 News, Rumors: Will the Browns Appear on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'?

By Joshua Lobdell, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Cleveland Browns appear to be the frontrunners to appear on the HBO series "Hard Knocks" later this summer. Hard Knocks follows one team through their Training Camp and pre-season and is a must-watch show for many NFL fans. It is widely popular with NFL head coaches and front offices, so much so that the NFL implemented rules to compel teams to participate in the program.

Only teams that have a new head coach, playoff games in the last two years, or have participated on the program in the last decade are exempt from being forced to participate. For 2015, that means the NFL could force the Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and St. Louis Rams to participate.

Of all those teams, the Browns have the most interesting storylines, especially if they trade up in the draft to get a new young QB to pair with Johnny Manziel and veteran Josh McCown. They are a team trying to find their way, and that always makes for interesting TV.

"Cleveland would provide an array of intrigue after a limp 2014 season followed the tame Atlanta Falcons," Kevin Patra wrote for NFL.com. "From the interest surrounding first-round quarterback Johnny Manziel -- who will be fighting for a starting job and has spent time in a treatment facility this offseason -- to general manager Ray Farmer's wayward texting scandal last season, the plotlines are thick and intriguing before pads ever hit."

He goes on to point out that Head Coach Mike Pettine could become the star of the show. Pettine is not afraid to speak his mind. Pettine was also a member of the New York Jets coaching staff when that team appeared on the show a few years ago. If the Browns wind up being the featured team, this season could be one of the more interesting seasons of the show.