Sun rising over dew-sprinkled freshly-cut grass. Equipment managers adorning lockers with shiny new practice jerseys. Rookies pulling up in their irresponsibly expensive sports cars. And the soothing sound of Liev Schreiber’s opening monologue. It’s Hard Knocks on HBO. And on August 1st, it’s coming to Allen Park, Michigan to document the 2022 Detroit Lions.
Campbell’s Campaign
To say that the Lions “beat-out” other franchises (Panthers, Giants, and Cardinals) might be incorrect. Some coaches, players, and fans would rather their team’s inner-workings be kept hidden. The Lions, however, find themselves in a unique position this season. A deeper look into this version of the franchise could help it shift the league-wide narrative that has plagued the Pride for years. And it starts with second-year head coach, Dan Campbell.
Campbell’s rookie campaign came with plenty of noteworthy quotes and antics, sometimes resulting in viral moments that landed the Lions in the national conversation. Knee-caps are pretty tasty, after all… But to an outsider, those moments can lead to memes and mockery, and have raised questions around the league. “Can this guy actually coach a team?”
If you ask a Lions fan, the answer is usually “yes!” He’s got the support of the fanbase. As for his players? They seem to feel the same:
Michael Brockers with Rich Eisen
Michael Brockers: Why the Lions Love Playing for Head Coach Dan Campbell | The Rich Eisen Show
TJ Hockenson with Pat McAfee & AJ Hawk
Lions TJ Hockenson Tells Pat McAfee What Life With Dan Campbell As A Coach Is Like
Aidan Hutchinson with Brad Galli
INTERVIEW: Aidan Hutchinson always wanted to play for Lions, excited to suit up for Dan Campbell
Shifting Outsider Opinions
With everyone in-house already on-board the MC/DC train, Hard Knocks will give those outsiders (*haters*) a new perspective into the mind of this eccentric “players’ coach.” Rather than only seeing clips and blurbs with unorthodox phrasing and enthusiasm, viewers will get to see Campbell’s intangibles in action.
Hard Knocks fans have always cheered for the underdog — Charles James in Houston, Riley Bullough in Tampa. But rarely has the entire team, and the coach himself, been in such a position to grab the hearts and minds of NFL fans.
Detroit vs. Everybody
The chip on Campbell’s shoulder could get even bigger, as CBS Sports ranked him as the 30th best coach heading into 2022. Simply another case of someone being stuck in the “same old Lions.” And the use of nonexistent-nickname “Dan The Man” confirms this sentiment…
Whatever happens to the Detroit Lions this season is going to happen. The fanbase knows there’s not much point in predictions, or getting their hopes up (still always do though!). But they don’t need to hope about Hard Knocks. The facts show: put Dan Campbell on camera, in front of a group who has fully bought-in, and watch this team change how the league looks at the Lions.
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