The world has changed. Hard knuckles is constant. Even in a COVID-19 world, the HBO sports documentary series unveiled its season opener Tuesday night when viewers got an all-access look at the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers’ training camps. Below are five takeaways from the opening episode.
Training camp will look different than ever
On the same day that the 2020 college football season kicked off, the NFL showed the world how it hopes to host its campaign. During the episode, players asked coaches various questions about the league’s health protocols. The answers were impressive, considering the circumstances. Temperature controls. Socially distant meeting spaces. Mask-optional walkthroughs. And, of course, coronavirus-style nose-swab-style tests that even the most physically gifted men doubt, like Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward. When the two-time Pro Bowler sat down to blow his nose, he said to his doctor, “I’m nervous.”
Head coaches Anthony Lynn and Sean McVay each delivered intensive and urgent games about the need to follow health protocols, not only to protect their respective seasons, but to prevent others from being exposed to the disease. Lynn described his Chargers as opposing this year two opponents: other NFL teams and COVID-19.
“Both are equally important,” he said. “COVID is perhaps more important. … Whoever shows the most leadership will have the advantage this year. ”
Anthony Lynn had COVID-19
Hard knuckles wasting little time with the audience. In the opening scene, Lynn shared with his players via Zoom that he had contracted COVID-19, something that was not previously known. Lynn is the third NFL head coach known to have the disease (Eagles ‘Doug Pederson and Saints’ Sean Payton are the others).
Lynn said he is not sure how he became infected. He experienced pain, body aches, and had a cough. He could not get comfortable when he slept in bed. He watched a golf tournament and saw a player withdraw with similar symptoms. He then got tested.
“If I had not seen that golf event and saw that golfer complaining about back and pain,” Lynn said, “I would never have even tested it.” Lynn admitted that he felt like an extinction after contracting it out of fear of transmitting the disease to someone else.
Lynn was not the only person on Hard knuckles who had the disease. The show also revealed Rams rookie outside linebacker Terrell Lewis tested positive for COVID-19. The pick from the third round from Alabama said he was told to pursue a career for a period of 10 days. Hy came back to the team on 9 August.
Donte Deayon could be favorite this year
Hard knuckles always gives us fan favorites – the Brogan Roback and Charles James II fan clubs are eternal – and with cuts coming earlier this year, we can only hope to make more known with Rams cornerback Donte Deayon.
Deayon, who is 5-foot-9 and 159-pound, first appeared in a scene that shoots All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald over how ripped he is, and says he’s just like the 6-foot -1, 280-pound lineman.
We see later that Deayon gives a tour through his side of the locker room, which he refers to as the “Good Projects” before returning to place All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, whose locker is on the other side , which Deayon refers to as the “Suburbs.” Deayon, 26, has spent each of the last two seasons with the Rams training team. Hard knuckles likes viewers a fringe roster player to root for. Deayon is maybe this year this year.
Stop by Jalen Ramsey to ask about his contract
Ramsey, who bought the Rams last season in a Jaguars deal, is entering the final year of his contract. He’s thanks to a massive payday, especially since LA gave multiple first-round picks to get the former All-Pro corner. Hard knuckles showed us what went down when a reporter pressed on Ramsey during a Zoom press conference about how he would feel the year unfolding without it being addressed. After answering that he had left his agent and the Rams front office about negotiations, he did not kindly be asked about the situation.
Meanwhile, it’s a very different situation for the Chargers and Joey Bosa. The star-defensive lineman was shown responding to the signing of his five-year, $ 135 million, deal last month. He shed a few tears as he explained how much ink the deal meant to him. Chargers fans probably did that too, knowing that his services have been shattered for the future.
Justin Herbert is already impressed
The Chargers selected Herbert with the no. 6 chooses the concept in which he makes the future of the franchise. He already leaves a good impression on his teammates, including rookie running back Darius Bradwell.
Herbert is expected to sit behind Tyrod Taylor. “[Taylor will] probably be the Starter of Day One, ”said Lynn,“ but Justin takes things in stride. He is getting better every day. “It’s an encouraging sign for Herbert when the Oregon product gets acquainted with the league in the unusual year.
