Hard Knocks 2012: New York Jets Reportedly Not Appearing on HBO Reality Show

It appears that fans of the HBO series Hard Knocks will not have the pleasure of getting an inside, up-close-and-personal look at the New York Jets' training camp this summer.

According to Dennis Wasznak of the Associated Press via lohud.com, the Jets have reportedly turned down HBO's offer:

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A person familiar with the decision said the team decided to not participate in the hit HBO show this year after being approached by the cable network about appearing again.

Rex Ryan, Mark Sanchez and company were big stars and drew huge ratings two years ago—the last time the show aired—but the Jets opted to pass on doing it again this summer, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because neither the team nor the cable network had announced the decision.

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This is undoubtedly a smart move for the Jets.

When you consider the media circus that already surrounds the team, the fanfare and scrutiny that surrounded the arrival of "backup" quarterback Tim Tebow and the locker-room problems the Jets had last season, the last thing they need is a bunch of cameras following them around all training camp.

From a football perspective, the show would only provide a distraction. The report states the reason for turning the show down is the fact that they have a new offensive coordinator in Tony Sparano, and that makes perfect sense. With a new coordinator comes a new system, and installing a new system will take time, energy and focus.

The Jets couldn't afford to take the risks that came along with Hard Knocks, especially with the pressure they will be under this season.

Unfortunately, the Jets' gain is going to be our loss when all is said and done.

The show would have been a must-watch had they followed the Jets.

I can only imagine what the dynamic between Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez and the camera would be like. There are only so many cameras and so much face time available—who would end up getting most of the spotlight?

And then there's boisterous head coach Rex Ryan. What would he have up his sleeve for the audience?

Perhaps a few wise cracks or dirty jokes would be heard.

Alas, fans of great reality TV will suffer, because it appears the Jets have made the smart and conventional move for the first time in a while.

They'll be better for it, and the rest of us will be stuck hoping for anybody but the Jaguars.