PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Don't expect the Browns to raise their hand here at the NFL Annual meeting and volunteer for HBO's training camp show Hard Knocks this year.

The Browns are the frontrunner to appear on the popular series this summer, according former Browns senior editor Vic Carucci, now with the Buffalo News.

But if the club has any say in the matter, it will try to dissuade NFL Films this week, where it meets with prospective clubs, from coming into their locker rooms and meeting rooms with cameras whirring and microphones humming this summer.

Granted, the Browns might not be able to talk NFL Films out of it if it's true they have their heart set on it, but they're certainly expected to try for a number of reasons.

Unfortunately for them, they don't meet any of the criteria exempting them from Hard Knocks this year: a new head coach, playoff berths the past two seasons, or an appearance on the series in the past decade.

But they can make a pretty compelling argument when they sit down here with NFL Films.

For starters, second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel will be fresh out of a rehab for possible substance abuse problem. The last thing the Browns need, and the last thing the Browns and Johnny Manziel need is for cameras chronicling his every move.

It would put far too much pressure on Manziel, and no qualified chemical abuse counselor would recommend such scrutiny in a patient's first year out of rehab. In fact, the chances of relapse are high within the first year out of treatment, especially the first 60 days.

It would be incredibly irresponsible for NFL Films to follow Manziel around with cameras when he's trying to stay on the straight and narrow just to get ratings. The Browns and Manziel's camp have asked everyone to respect his privacy during this sensitive time, so it's highly doubtful the Browns would welcome such an intrusion.

What's more, Browns general manager Ray Farmer is still awaiting word on his discipline for Text-gate, in which he texted coaches from prohibited areas during games. Farmer has apologized, but could be facing a fine, suspension and the loss of a draft pick. Farmer needs to put Text-gate behind him, not have it magnified on T.V.

And even though Pettine is no longer a rookie head coach, it's still only the second year for both him and Farmer in their new roles. The front office and the coaching staff are still learning how to best work together, and the last thing they need is to have their growing pains chronicled on a television series.

In addition, Pettine has a brand new first-time offensive coordinator in John DeFilippo and a first-time quarterbacks coach in Kevin O'Connell, who need to implement their system without the distraction of television cameras.

The Browns have other issues that would make Hard Knocks a potential disaster for them. Their No. 8 overall pick, Justin Gilbert, is trying to overcome undisclosed personal issues that prevented him from living up to his first-round status last year. Gilbert is working hard to get it together off the field so he can be the lockdown cornerback the Browns drafted him to be. Like Manziel, Gilbert doesn't need to try to grow up in front of the cameras.

The list goes on and on. Their 2012 supplemental draft pick, Josh Gordon, is suspended for the at least the 2015 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and the Browns retained his rights. If Gordon tests positive again or even gets stopped by the police again, it's more negative publicity for the Browns.

Pettine has lived through Hard Knocks before, with the Jets in 2010. He doesn't seem to mind being in the spotlight -- actually probably welcomes it -- but the Browns must be on more solid ground before they can let the world take a peek inside their inner-workings.

Ideally, someone will step up and volunteer for the show, and the Browns will be off the hook.