6 NFL Teams HBO Must Consider for Hard Knocks Series

HBO is set to bring us another season of "Hard Knocks" this summer and the network is in the process of selecting a team. While there are several possibilities already being tossed around, I have my own opinions about which teams the network should zero in on.

"Hard Knocks" is a documentary that follows and NFL team as it prepares for the season through training camp and preseason games. It gives an incredible look into the inner workings of an NFL franchise from top to bottom.

So far the show has done seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2001), Dallas Cowboys (twice: 2002, 2008), Kansas City Chiefs (2007), Cincinnati Bengals (2009) and New York Jets (2010). 

The following is a list of teams I think would be perfect for the show.

New York Jets

Let's face it, we all want to see this again. The Jets locker room absolutely imploded after a terribly disappointing 8-8 season in 2011. I want to see what's going on behind the scenes this fall.

Rex Ryan is reportedly not a big fan of the idea of bringing "Hard Knocks" back to town, but owner Woody Johnson wants his team back on the show. Woody must love good television.

I want to see inside the Mark Sanchez-Santonio Holmes relationship, and see how the rest of the team reacts to Sanchez after he received a huge contract extension after three mediocre NFL seasons.

Oh, and did I mention Tebowmania? Now that Tim Tebow is a part of Gang Green, it would be incredible seeing how the rest of the team reacts to having him around. 

The cold, forced smiles that Tebow and Sanchez would be forced to wear around each other would be television gold. And when the camera zoomed in on Tebow's face during one of Rex Ryan's patented obscenity-laced tirades, the reaction would be priceless.

The Jets gave us so many incredible moments during their first stint on "Hard Knocks" that it would be a crime not to return. 

To be fair, I really just want to see if cornerback Antonio Cromartie still struggles with naming all of his children. 

New Orleans Saints

I can't be the only one who wants to see the inner-workings of the New Orleans Saints after BountyGate. 

With head coach Sean Payton suspended for the year, general manager Mickey Loomis out for eight games and assistant head coach Joe Vitt set to miss the first six games, there might not be a whole lot of people for HBO to interview. But I would be riveted to the television just to hear what the Saints have to say for themselves.

When you factor in the chance that star quarterback Drew Brees could be headed for a holdout, all the drama is there for a fantastic season of "Hard Knocks."

New Orleans will be trying to clear away the rubble that has been left in the wake of BountyGate, and change the image of the franchise. Letting cameras come in and show the world a different side than what we heard on the disgusting Gregg Williams audio recording would be a great idea. 

New York Giants

The New York Giants just won a Super Bowl by upsetting the New England Patriots again. I want to see what it is like for a team coming off a title that has to get back to work after having celebrated all offseason.

I want to see if Eli Manning shows up looking and smelling like Jim Morrison circa 1970. I want to know what it really is like to play for a hard-nosed disciplinarian like Tom Coughlin. I also want to see what it's like for a group of rookies to join a team that just won the Super Bowl. 

This seems like a perfect fit. A tough, no-nonsense coach, a quarterback on the cusp of superstardom who already has two Super Bowl rings and a supporting cast of players who aren't yet household names. 

I'm not a Giants fan but I think seeing how a team handles success is one of the most interesting story lines in all of sports. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have reportedly told HBO that they would love to do the show and that makes sense. A Harris Interactive Poll for league popularly ranked Jacksonville last among all NFL franchises.

This would be an interesting season, when you consider how terrible things went in 2011. The Jaguars finished 5-11 and rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had one of the worst seasons in NFL history, as his dismal passer rating of 65.4 ranked last among the 34 quarterbacks who qualified league-wide.

Jacksonville has a new owner in Shahid Khan and a new head coach in Mike Mularkey. Seeing how those two men adapt to their new surroundings and what they do with a severely undermanned roster would be fascinating to the football geek in me.

The team invested a lot in Gabbert when it made him the 10th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. After such a horrible showing last season, I would love to see how the Jaguars handle his development.

Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers

HBO is interested in also doing a show featuring both the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers and focusing on the Harbaugh brothers and how they run their teams. 

Considering that the Ravens (12-4) and the 49ers (13-3) were two of the best teams in the NFL in 2011, it think this is a fantastic idea. 

What would most interest me is how each of the Harbaughs approached coaching. Do they use similar styles or are they wildly different?

Next I would love to see the interaction with both quarterbacks. Ravens signal-caller Joe Flacco is in need of a new contract, so things might be kind of awkward for team officials and the man they have under center.

For the 49ers it might not be any less awkward. The team pursued Peyton Manning this offseason and that clearly didn't sit well with incumbent quarterback Alex Smith. 

The Harbaughs both have compelling personalities and they would certainly drive the show. I would look forward to a version of "Hard Knocks" with them as the focus.

Atlanta Falcons

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, HBO has offered the Falcons the starring role in this season's version of "Hard Knocks." Though nothing is final, I can officially say I'd watch the show if Atlanta was the focus.

The Falcons went 10-6 and made the playoffs in 2011, but the season was a disappointment when you consider how much talent the team actually has.

Franchise quarterback Matt Ryan still has yet to win a playoff game and after Atlanta was buried 24-2 by the New York Giants in the opening round of last postseason, many have begun to question the team and its quarterback.

How can a roster with Ryan, stud receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and stud running back Michael Turner continually come up short of expectations?

I want to hear the players and head coach Mike Smith discuss their disappointment and how they plan to change things moving forward. I want general manager Thomas Dimitroff to break down what he saw as the team's flaws and how he addressed that during the offseason.

While the Falcons aren't exactly NFL royalty, I think a season focused on them has great potential.