The Arizona Cardinals were chosen to be featured on HBO’s in-season version of “Hard Knocks.” That means, during the second half of the season, there will be camera crews documenting practices and meetings.
While some might see this as a distraction, Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury sees it as a positive thing for multiple reasons.
“I think it’s exciting,” he told reporters after Monday’s first practice of OTAs. “Anytime you get a chance to highlight some of the great people we have in this building, not just players, but coaches (and) staff, (to) tell their stories (and) see a different side of them. I think it will be really good TV.”
It isn’t just the storytelling he sees as a good thing.
He believes it could also help the quality of football. He pointed to the Indianapolis Colts, the featured team for the show’s inaugural in-season run.
“They were 3-5 when the show came,” Kingsbury said. “They won six out of seven and felt like it was kind of like a shot in the arm having them come in. It should be a pretty cool experience.”
The Cardinals have faded late each of the past two seasons. In 2020, they were 6-3 and finished 8-8, missing the playoffs. In 2021, they started 10-2 and finished 11-6 before getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Kingsbury believes having the HBO crew in the building and on the practice field could increase everyone’s focus.
“In my experience, anytime a camera is around, people tend to step up and be on the Ps and Qs a little bit more,” he explained. “I think it can be a real positive that stretch of the season for us.
“I think, coaches and players, you’re going to want to be on your ‘A’ game and be well prepared anytime that camera is around and make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward. I think it could be a real motivational tool if we approach it the right way.”
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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