Falcons decline ‘Hard Knocks’ offer
UPDATE: The Falcons declined HBO’s offer to appear on the popular show Hard Knocks, the team confirmed on Saturday.
As of late Thursday, the team was still considering the offer. Thomas Dimitroff, the team’s general manager, spoke about the offer on Thursday and stated that team needed to emphasis winning in order to improve their brand nationally.
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FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcon general manager Thomas Dimitroff did not shed any light on if the team will accept HBO’s offer to appear on the show “Hard Knocks.”
“ Right now, I have nothing to offer on that,” Dimitroff said on Thursday.
He noted that the football operations department has been preparing for the draft and that HBO will not be around to shoot any backup footage during the draft, which is set for April 26-28.
He has not talked to other teams who have appeared on the show.
“Like all of us, we’ve watched it over the years and there have been some highlights,” Dimitroff said. “There have been some highlights, no questions about that. It’s interesting TV.”
In some ways, he considers it an honor that HBO would want to chronicle the team’s training camp.
“I am proud of where we are,” Dimitroff said. “I feel that we are the type of organization that would be considered in not only this situation that you are referring to, but other situations from a national perspective. We need to continue to build Arthur’s brand.”
While the television show would expose the Falcons to a national audience, Dimitroff stated that the best way to build the brand was to play winning football.
“TV really doesn’t mean that much if we’re not putting wins in the win column,” Dimitroff said.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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67 comments Add your comment
James
April 19th, 2012
6:20 pm
FIRST
James
April 19th, 2012
6:22 pm
We’ve got guys that are mentally tough and a consistent HC and QB that won’t throw us off like with the Jets and ego-maniac Ryan. The show wouldn’t tear our team apart like people are saying. Not a bad idea, and Roddy would have a blast with it.
Derp
April 19th, 2012
6:34 pm
We need this. The pressure of the cameras and national audience would force our guys to focus.
I vote Yes.
1danielbell
April 19th, 2012
6:51 pm
I agree with the two comments above.
tyler
April 19th, 2012
8:18 pm
I love it, would’nt affect our season either way just us fans more insight to the team.
Veedub
April 20th, 2012
7:48 am
@Dled, what’s your take on it? I think it could be a good thing. I think it would ignite the “shaky” fan base to see our team profiled. HBO may not come calling again, Let’s do it TD!!!!
Backlinkz − Falcons on ‘Hard Knocks’? They’re thinking it over − Backlinkz
April 20th, 2012
10:05 am
[...] now, I have nothing to offer on that,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution[3] on [...]
Jeff B
April 20th, 2012
10:16 am
Hey DOL, just because Thomas didn’t give you any clues doesn’t mean they’re still weighing the decision… decision could be made already, but kept a secret?
Greg from Marietta
April 20th, 2012
10:49 am
This is a VERY BAD idea and I hope that the Falcons management can see that and tells them “NO”. You have 2 new coordinators and several new position coaches and if you have ever BEEN a football player then you know that there is a learning curve with any new system. The players do not need the extra distraction that a camera crew would provide. I’m not saying that the Falcons never allow ‘Hard Knocks’ to film them I am just saying that this year is a bad year for them to do it. Why doesn’t ‘Hard Knocks’ go to New Orleans and film the Saints? Now that would be an interesting team to watch, especially this year!!!
Falcons on ‘Hard Knocks’? They’re thinking it over | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
April 20th, 2012
11:16 am
[...] now, I have nothing to offer on that,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on [...]
Van
April 20th, 2012
12:25 pm
PLEASE accept that offer Falcons.
AXETRIP
April 20th, 2012
12:38 pm
Would be nice to see our Falcons get some national attention for a change that does not involve Mike Vick -
florida falcon
April 20th, 2012
7:27 pm
Hell yes…let’s do it and start shaking this vanilla image. I’m sick and tired of defending the cities crappy fan base. I have to listen to all these New Orleans clowns down here and nothing would shut their mouths more than us kicking their a$$e$ on the way to a super bowl victory. Enough already!
roger
April 20th, 2012
7:38 pm
come on, Arthur, let America in our” House”
gill
April 20th, 2012
8:08 pm
fist win a play off game??? HBO LATER!!!!
don't do it
April 21st, 2012
9:49 am
NO to (un)reality tv
say no to added monthly expenses
April 21st, 2012
9:54 am
Who can afford HBO nowadays?….another unnecessary luxury item in times of economic trouble.
Unless of course you like to waste money to see the same movie from 12 years ago 50 times a month.
Steve
April 21st, 2012
4:43 pm
This is even being considered??? Another reason to hold off on season tickets. This is stupid!!!
BC
April 21st, 2012
5:50 pm
I personally would have loved to see them on there. I am all for concentrating on the football side of things but where has that gotten them the last two seasons? Would be nice to see a little fire & personality out of them. Exciting offseason Falcons…
Let's Be Real
April 21st, 2012
6:02 pm
Hmm a way to drum up excitement for a disenchanted fan base?
…..
…..
….
Better say no
Reggie
April 21st, 2012
6:15 pm
Falcons decline the offer…yet another reason this team is so boring
PFT: Eagles desperate to get rid of Asante
April 21st, 2012
6:21 pm
[...] G.M. Thomas Dimitroff had nothing to say about either a group will accept a offer to be a centerpiece of Hard [...]
PFT: Ex-’Husker Dennard accused of hitting cop
April 21st, 2012
6:22 pm
[...] G.M. Thomas Dimitroff had nothing to say about either a group will accept a offer to be a centerpiece of Hard [...]
g
April 21st, 2012
6:35 pm
its not your team, it belongs to a rich man.
Jimbo
April 21st, 2012
6:41 pm
Good move! Concentrate on winning football games!
Bro
April 21st, 2012
6:50 pm
Great decision. TV has too much control over the teams now. It would not be a good decision to give them control of your practices.
Boss Hogg
April 21st, 2012
6:59 pm
Falcons stay failing!….This would be an excellent opportunity to build the Falcons brand. Yes, the #1 priority is football but what is that without a fanbase!?
It is the job of the owner and the front office to build the team as a brand also, not just who gets cut and who stays. Being showcase on HBO would give the falcons a much needed pedestal.
Yet this is another example of cluess clowns getting high end jobs. Just like the saying goes, it’s who you know not what you know!
D-Man
April 21st, 2012
7:11 pm
Thank God! We need to focus on more important things like WINNING A PLAYOFF game, not seeking unnecessary celebrity/fame. Good move Falcons…
John Abraham's Groin
April 21st, 2012
7:18 pm
My groin hurts bad,…..not good news Falcons fans!
Wow
April 21st, 2012
7:25 pm
Well, expected the bland option from this team…..
They better win those games then. This was a guarantee, that other thing they want to do, is hella not.
BIRDSFLYHIGH
April 21st, 2012
7:36 pm
Thank god that we didn’t do this show! The word of the season for us is FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
leera1n
April 21st, 2012
7:46 pm
Hope the falcon do not do the hard knock that is not football that is a show,i do not want to see the drama,the one or two stupid player making stupid comments,they need to focus on the new plays getting everyone on the same page.Winning will put you in the spotlight.
Of course!
April 21st, 2012
7:53 pm
No surprise here. You can expect the Falcons to always make the conservative, boring choice.
Maybe you people will get tired of this one day and they’ll stop running Turner up the middle for 2 yards every play for a change.
Arff
April 21st, 2012
8:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Focus
April 21st, 2012
8:21 pm
Im glad to see the pressure to win outweighs the pressure of the media……this team needs doesn’t need the distractions…..2 new coordinators and lots of under performing players…..not the time to turn the locker room into a circus….
They need to have fun and stay loose, but this was way too much too soon. Good call
Arff
April 21st, 2012
8:23 pm
Not surprised that this boring crew would turn HBO down. Can’t have folks getting excited about Falcons.
Devildog
April 21st, 2012
8:37 pm
Good move. Falcons don’t need it.
ToccoaBird
April 21st, 2012
8:50 pm
Glad they won’t be on the show
Atlanta Falcons pass on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ to focus on game | Sports, News, Entertainment, US Legislation
April 21st, 2012
11:14 pm
[...] was non-committal when asked about the topic by the Atlanta Journal Constitution on [...]
Hulk Hogan
April 21st, 2012
11:34 pm
I know how to build a brand.
Disgusted
April 21st, 2012
11:49 pm
I am glad they are not on that cheesy show that I personally do not care about anyway.
I want a solid training camp, improvement from guys like Ray Edwards and Dunta along with a couple of surprise packages wth the picks they have in this draft.
I know where they are picking, but you can get surprises at picks 55 and after. Results are what counts. Let the Jets be on that corny show.
Falcons turn down Hard Knocks – Pro Football Zone
April 21st, 2012
11:58 pm
[...] Orlando Leadbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Atlanta Falcons have turned down an offer to appear on HBO’s Hard Knocks program. [...]
Pudge McCracken
April 22nd, 2012
12:01 am
I like the show but I’m glad the Falcons turned it down. As TD said, winning will build the brand. We don’t need gimmicks. We need wins.
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2012
12:21 am
they dont want anyone to realize how bad matt’s arm is.
John Kimble
April 22nd, 2012
2:33 am
Holy crap… that idiot “noodle arm” hasn’t posted yet. Record?
Mora less Petrino
April 22nd, 2012
4:23 am
Good! Keep the focus on football.
Dekou
April 22nd, 2012
4:35 am
Forget the Cameras where receivers will attempt to be pretty while the film is rolling. “God” knows ATL don’t need anymore men trying to be pretty! PLAYBALL!!!
Deep South
April 22nd, 2012
6:38 am
Hard Knocks did NOTHING for the Chiefs or Jets…
Chuck Clausen
April 22nd, 2012
7:21 am
Keep total focus on the product you put on the field and everything else will take care of itself.
SCFalcon
April 22nd, 2012
7:32 am
Fantastic!!!!!!!!! Keep the circus out of ATL.
UPDATE: Falcons decline ‘Hard Knocks’ offer | NFL Online News
April 22nd, 2012
7:38 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged decline, Falcons, Hard, Knocks, offer, update. Bookmark the permalink. ← 2012 NFL Draft offers hope for Cleveland Browns with a league-high 13 picks: a draft analysis [...]
ls1z28chris
April 22nd, 2012
7:49 am
He’s partially correct. I would suggest, though, that before the Falcons start focusing on “winning” they should probably focus on scoring points, especially in playoff games.
Also, I find it funny that people are saying the Falcons don’t need gimmicks. You folks are probably the first ones to show up shouting some lame catch phrase Arthur Blank paid a celebrity to shout at a TV camera. No gimmicks my hairy butt.
walter harris
April 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
being a falcons fan for over 40 year i say no t.v.show we need to win something first.
JSS
April 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
Where’s Najeh Davenpoop with that Ray Edward’s porn pic when you need him?
JSS
April 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
“You folks are probably the first ones to show up shouting some lame catch phrase Arthur Blank paid a celebrity to shout at a TV camera.”
It wasn’t “lame” when the Hawks used it first… The Falcons are nothing but gimmicks…
Jeff
April 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
Typical Falcons. As much as I love them, boring and unwilling to take chances.
Greg from Marietta
April 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
Thank goodness, the Falcons management made the right call! It was really surprising the number of ’supposed’ Falcons fans that wanted the team to accept the offer from ‘Hard Knocks’. Those vocal few really show how uneducated in team sports that some of the fan base are. Most of those in favor, I dare say, have never played a team sport much less football. They lack the understanding of what a distraction that the camera crew of ‘Hard Knocks’ would have provided to a team that will be undergoing a major transition in philosophies and techniques on both sides of the ball. As I said back on Friday there are two new coordinators and several new position coaches with which the players are going to have to quickly become familiar. For those that have never played team sports there is a lack of understanding of the amount of concentration and repetition that is required in adjusting to new coaches and systems. Even the slightest distraction can disrupt this transition and the ‘Hard Knocks’ camera crew and the potential ‘Side stories’ that the program thrives on has the potential to be not only a distraction but a major distraction. My hat is off the the Management team of the Falcons for making the ‘Right Call’ and putting the team ahead of the voyeuristic desires of an uneducated minority of the fan base. GO FALCONS!!
Mark
April 22nd, 2012
10:46 am
Yup. No heart. Fear of the spotlight and the eyes. This could help increase free agent interest but noooooooo….
ATLBRAVE
April 22nd, 2012
10:47 am
And Falcons ownership wonders why half of the home games you find more fans cheering for the OTHER team and wearing the OTHER team’s colors. Yes, there are a lot of transplants living in Atl but the way to win them over is to first WIN games (that means score more than 2pts in a playoff game) and last but not least be exciting. You have to give them a reason to want to put away their old Steelers jersey and wear a Falcons jersey. This show would have helped A LOT to change that culture. “Being realistic is the most commonly traveled path to mediocrity!” The Falcons are a mediocre franchise with a very predicable brand of football. This city is ooozing for attention and the people in the suits are asleep at the wheel! Get ready for a 10-6 record and another 1st round playoff exit!
Tell it like it is
April 22nd, 2012
10:56 am
This orginization don’t want to be eyeballed for 45 years of futility,by the whole country.
steverino
April 22nd, 2012
11:01 am
I’m a football fan, but not a fan of reality soap operas. Footballs fans don’t need this type of thing, ESPECIALLY the way they are presented nowdays
Chris Dimino
April 22nd, 2012
11:04 am
Thank God. It would have been all about Arthur Blank. The makeup, Botox, hair color etc would have driven tickets up 300%.
Truth
April 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
I don’t mind the decision one way or the other but I don’t like the foolish comments. Building a brand is more than about winning. Its a combo of that plus excitement. See the San Antonio Spurs. They have four championships in the last 13 years but they are considered boring. San Antonio is a small market so maybe that works for them. The other major difference is the Spurs have hardware. Atlanta on the other had is a large market and currently has no hardware. Focus on both. If the team is to weak minded to handle distractions then they can not handle the big lights, distractions of the playoffs and championship football.
Post-it
April 22nd, 2012
4:31 pm
I think this was declined because of Smith. He ain’t the sharpest knife in the drawer and didn’t want the world to know it.
Falcons Say No To Hard Knocks; Who Should Say Yes? « Joe Montana's Right Arm
April 22nd, 2012
5:50 pm
[...] Dimitroff, the team’s general manager, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the team wanted to focus on winning; and in turn, improve the [...]
10 of 12
April 22nd, 2012
7:10 pm
More like Hard Knocks declined Failclowns offer . You see , they actually wanted people to watch the show !
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April 22nd, 2012
7:25 pm
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