Ballerific Sports: HBO’s Hard Knocks Finale : blogged by @niksofly

All good things must come to an end . The Houston Texans training camp and 75-man roster is no different. On the finale of HBO’s Hard Knocks we see what a thumbs up from JJ Watt can do, Watt’s logic of finances as well as we witness that possible career-ending decisions are just as light as GM Rick Smith’s golf swing. The Texans take on the Cowboys for a pre-season Battle of Texas only to walk away with the second and final L of the preseason.

It doesn’t take a genius to know that the 75-player talent pool would lose nearly 1/3 of its members in order to finalize the Texans’ 53- man arsenal.  The day of reckoning finally arrived and 20+ men received their walking papers.  Some were cut with the hopes of the Texans’ being able to sign them to the practice squad. They were all given the encouragement speech that translated across the screen as the crock of bull that is used to soften the blow.  It’s the most depressing aspect of football. Throughout this season of HK, Charles James became the focal point. If it wasn’t his fresh pair of socks, it was James’ hunger and work ethic.  Consistently, he stepped on the field and “earned” his spot, but when it was time for James to cash in on his hard work, we see that Rick’s golf swing earned more of the GM’s attention.  Kourtnei Brown who made plays all season also received his walking papers which really raised the question on the decision making.

Unless you live under a rock, you  know JJ Watt is a football superstar. His physical prowess is to be marveled at on and off the field. The real interesting thing is his off the field persona. Who knew that a thumb up from Watt at his younger brothers’ game would incite pandemonium.  It’s safe to say that Watt’s  $100 M  contract could afford him plenty of things including the $100K cashmere carpet laid in the private jet. Watching him make light of foolishly spending on such a thing was a bit comical.  They say money change people, but it seems Watt may still be that cornbread fed Wisconsin diesel sans the NFL glory.   

Maybe I have a competitive defect, but there is absolutely no talking of the sorts with the opponents. To watch O’Brien tell Jones his game plans provoked a twitch under my left eye.  Ain’t no conversing, Bih! Everytime the team touches the green, it should be war. The chatty patty stuff can wait after the game. 

Can I be totally honest? The best part of this episode was watching the released players get great news and the blooper reel. There is something about watching grown men get middle-school like because a teammate was flatulent. I literally watched the reel about 10 times. Don’t judge me.

Breathe in deeply. Exhale. That smell is the smell of the long-awaited start of Football Season. It’s here!  Be sure to follow BA as we hit some of the NFL games (Texans for sure).

Congrats to Charles James and Kourtnei Brown on finding their fit with the Ravens and Buccaneers, respectively. 

-Niko Rose