Hard Knocks: Why Are NFL Teams So Terrified To Become Reality Stars?

The New York Jets loved the spotlight last year as HBO infiltrated their training camp.

The Cincinnati Bengals benefited from having the camera crews around two years ago.

Of the six seasons Hard Knocks has run so far, three teams have made the postseason.

Obviously the cameras are a bit of a burden, but it is also a great opportunity to earn some attention nationwide, especially for smaller market teams.

So whey then, this year, have teams all of a sudden shied away from the spotlight?

Sure, teams have turned down Hard Knocks in the past, but not four in rapid succession.

The Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons have all said "no" to the HBO show so far.

Detroit and Denver are intriguing teams as both are trying to make vast improvements to their squad.

I am not surprised to see the Lions on the "no" list because they need to keep doing what they've been doing, and that doesn't require extra exposure for such a young core of players.

Denver has the most intriguing quarterback controversy in the league and added exposure would do this team no good; no surprise here.

As for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, only the Bucs have a legitimate gripe with extra exposure.

The Aqib Talib legal situation is not something a team would want to deal with while on national television, but they are one of the teams that could benefit greatly from any additional fans brought in from a national audience.

They are getting better each and every year under Raheem Morris, but their not a major market team with a lot going in the fan base.

As for Atlanta, coach Mike Smith simply doesn't want the distraction, and that's fine, but who does then?

Nobody in my opinion, and here is why.

While Hard Knocks would like to air, there is no guarantee they'll get the chance with the ongoing labor dispute. 

And if that chance every truly comes, there is no team that will want extra exposure in a shortened preseason, if there is one at all.

The last thing any coach wants, even someone like Rex Ryan, is added exposure in an already pressure-packed situation.

Rookies and undrafted free agents are going to be in for a rude awakening in the NFL, and dealing with it on HBO won't be on any team's short list.

In a regular year there is a good chance the Bucs, Broncos or even the Lions would have said yes to an opportunity like this.

Heck, nearly everyone except for other NFC North fans is waiting for the Lions franchise to actually do something for the first time in years, and to see it start on HBO would be great.

NFL teams aren't scared of becoming reality stars right now, but they are scared of what their preparation time will be when the league year finally opens.

It is unfortunate, as nearly everyone truly enjoys getting a look at a football organization from the inside out, but the labor negotiations will very likely put an end to one thing this year (for the time being): Hard Knocks.