HBO tells us that the Miami Dolphins were the only team formally offered "Hard Knocks" this season, but it's well known the show was shopped around the league before landing in South Beach.
The San Diego Chargers were not one of the teams approached, and with good reason. HBO gauged the team's interest in 2006, but general manager A.J. Smith -- in classic A.J. Smith fashion -- shot down any possibility of America getting a glimpse into the soul of Marty Schottenheimer.
The Chargers haven't been in the running since. Don't hold your breath on this changing on Smith's watch.
“We were not contacted, because we are not eligible to be on the show,” Smith said Thursday morning, according to U-T San Diego. “None of us have our Screen Actors Guild cards.”
(Well played, A.J.)
It's of Smith's opinion that "Hard Knocks" is phony. Actually, he calls it "fake," believing coaches and players can't help but mug and act in front of the cameras.
The besmirching of "Hard Knocks" will not be tolerated around these parts. Moving on.