PHOENIX — The Raiders are among five NFL teams eligible for “Hard Knocks.” They don’t have a new head coach. They didn’t make the playoffs last year. They can’t say no if forced to be this year’s feature subject on the NFL’s annual training camp documentary show.
Owner Mark Davis made it perfectly clear Tuesday afternoon, and in private conversations with those choosing the “Hard Knocks” team, that he doesn’t want the Raiders on the show’s 2019 edition.
“Not this year,” Davis said. “It’s not the right time.”
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A documentary producer might beg to differ.
The Raiders are loaded with fascinating characters, big personalities and great sound bytes, especially from head coach Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. Receiver Antonio Brown is larger than life, and Vontaze Burfict has been, fair or not, been cast as an NFL villain.
The Raiders will also have some well-known prospects on the roster, considering they have four NFL draft picks in the top 35 overall.
Davis doesn’t care about all that. He doesn’t ever want to be on “Hard Knocks,” but would do it if the Raiders were forced to do so.
NFL
“I don’t think I ever want to do it, but at some point in time we might have to,” Davis said. “Hopefully we get in the playoffs and we don’t have to.”
The Raiders were dreadful and didn’t qualify for the playoffs in 2018, meaning the Raiders might be a serious candidate. If that were the case, Davis joked about taking drastic measures in search of a loophole.
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“I told (head coach Jon Gruden), if they make us do it I’ll fire you and then hire you right back,” Davis said. “After all, they can’t make you do it with a new coach.”
Next year might be better for the Raiders to do the show if forced, considering it would help promote their transition to Las Vegas.
The featured team typically is announced in May. The show is broadcast on HBO.