Hard Knocks (HBO) - Dallas Cowboys Training Camp

Wednesdays at 9:00pm Central on HBO. Trailer.

Hard Knocks is an annual HBO series done by the superb NFL Films that tracks the training camp of an NFL team. This year's subject is the only team I really care about in sports, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys were previously the subject of the series in 2002, and it was a disappointing, though interesting affair. This year is much different and, based on last night's premiere episode, it will be another NFL Films home run. With Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Pacman Jones, Jason Witten, Coach Wade Phillips, Owner Jerry Jones, and the other characters on and around the team, the producers have an interesting and dynamic 'cast' and a Super Bowl type atmosphere to dramatize the series. Click below for more HARD KNOCKS:

The opening sequences gave me chills and got me excited for this season. The voice over about 'the star' and the Cowboys as the most glamorous team in professional sports were gratifying. Even Bride (a historic KC Chiefs fan) appreciated the majesty (and really liked the show).

The Cowboys training camp takes place in Oxnard, California on the coast. The show tracked the team as the left Dallas and arrived in California, focusing on Witten, Romo, and a couple of rookies just trying to fit in. As the team arrives, the focus widens to Jerry Jones, Terrell Owens and others. The main storylines explored so far are: rookies fitting in, making the team (only 48 of the 80 that start camp end up on the roster), T.O., Jason Garrett as a head coach, and Pacman Jones/TO rivalry. The scenes with Jerry Jones are particularly interesting, and his speech about being able to anywhere in the world doing anything and choosing to be with the team in Oxnard really made you feel his love for the team and validates your own.

The series is available and glistening in High Definition, with NFL Films providing high quality sound and production. The hidden microphones catch lots of meaningful candid moments like TO chastising Pacman for being too short. For those without HBO, the first episode will air on HBO.com starting tomorrow.