Thanks to new rules instituted after HBO and the NFL had difficulty finding a team to appear on Hard Knocks, the league can now force teams to take part if they meet certain criteria. Nine teams fit the bill: The Browns, Redskins, Giants, Buccaneers, Vikings, Texans, Rams, Titans, and Jaguars. Most of those, unsurprisingly, still don’t want to do it.


According to a report from ESPN Cleveland, NFL Films would prefer to feature a team that volunteers to have cameras at training camp, rather than one compelled to accept them. That means the Browns, previously rumored as favorites, are out—they want to make life as easy as possible for Johnny Manziel, who left alcohol rehab last month. Other eligible teams have expressed their opposition as well.

According to the report, the Bills, Skins, and Texans are “potential participants”—seeming to imply they haven’t straight-up said no. Buffalo would be fantastic; we all need more Rex Ryan in our lives. Washington, too, never fails to bring the drama, and Robert Griffin III’s potential last season in D.C. would be a compelling storyline. Houston appearing would just speed up J.J. Watt’s world domination.


Anyone but the Jaguars.

[ESPN Cleveland]