With Chad Johnson Gone, Who Is the New Star of HBO's Hard Knocks?

Whether you're saddened or relieved, tonight begins life without Chad Johnson on HBO's Hard Knocks. 

Johnson was prominently featured during the Miami Dolphins' premiere on the show as the witty class clown looking to revitalize career in his hometown. But after a stunning domestic violence dispute with wife Evelyn Lozada, the comical wide receiver was released by the team. 

So, now that Johnson's gone, who'll be the next Hard Knocks star? 

Let's run through a list of candidates.

Reggie Bush 

HBO did air a game of FIFA between Bush and Johnson, but the well-known running back, who totaled over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career last season, was rarely shown otherwise.

Bush is a former Heisman Trophy winner who played his college ball at USC. He is also an ex-boyfriend of media starlet Kim Kardashian. 

He plays a critical position and, when healthy, is one of the most exciting runners in the NFL. 

Though he's not as overtly opinionated as Johnson (who is?), Bush isn't averse to voicing what he's thinking on occasion. 

A strong candidate.  

Ryan Tannehill 

Tannehill is the bright-smiled, strong-armed rookie quarterback nearly every Dolphins fan wants to see succeed in Miami. 

Oh yeah, and he's got a pretty attractive blonde-haired wife who would seemingly fit right in with the Dolphins' cheerleaders. 

After a strong showing in his Dolphins' debut and a hurt David Garrard, Tannehill has a legitimate chance to not only win over the Hard Knocks production crew, but to win the starting quarterback job prior to the start of the regular season. 

Cameron Wake 

Wake didn't appear in the first episode, but he's one of the few other stars on the roster. In three years with the Dolphins, Wake has accumulated 28.0 sacks, highlighted by a terrorizing 14-sack campaign in 2010. 

He's respected around the league as one of the distinguished pass-rushers in the NFL, but he still has to prove his spike in production two years ago wasn't a fluke. 

Showing him battling with All-Pro left tackle Jake Long in practice could make for some quality television. 

Verdict: Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill has to be the next star of Hard Knocks. He's the young signal-caller with the hot babe. If he performs well in practice and during the remainder of the preseason games, he'll win the starting quarterback job without question. 

Something tells me we're bound to see more of Lauren Tannehill too. 

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