What's more embarrassing: Having your boss threaten to fire you in front of your co-workers or knowing that all of Football America watched the moment on television?
These are the sort of questions that the struggling Miami Dolphins have to deal with during this particularly juicy season of HBO's "Hard Knocks." The incredible access NFL Films receives makes the show what it is. But it has to make life uncomfortable for some of the players most harshly criticized.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman told tight end Michael Egnew that his practice performance was "terrible, terrible. I would cut you today if I was the general manager. I would cut you."
Egnew seemed to withdraw during the show. He hasn't made any impact in Dolphins practices other than missing assignments, according to the Miami Herald. Egnew was asked Wednesday about the experience.
"I shut my phone off," he said without a smile. "I guarantee any player can tell you the experience. It's one of those things that happens a lot because he wants the best out of his players. It just so happens that mine made the episode and it's OK."
Wide receiver Roberto Wallace's experience was arguably worse. He's struggled during practices, but shined in the team's preseason opener. During Tuesday night's show, he saw coaches cracking up and calling him Roberto "ankle weights" Wallace.
"At the end of the day it's a show," Wallace said, via the Palm Beach Post. "That's what they'll do. Obviously they pointed out all of the negatives which is part of the show. People like drama more than anything. They did it to Vontae (Davis) last week. I try to come out here and try to get better. Whatever criticism the coaches have, I can't control that. What I can control is my effort and my attitude. So I come out here with a positive attitude every day and leave it at that."
Wallace reportedly wasn't happy. We can't blame him. His response showed class, restraint, and smarts. Players have no choice but to accept the daily criticism and the spotlight. It's part of the game.
"Coaches compare, and there are going to be comments that are made. This happens, it's real," coach Joe Philbin said.
For these otherwise unknown Dolphins, it's happening in front of a national audience.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
