Has Hard Knocks lost its Luster?

The hype for Hard Knocks featuring the Detroit Lions seems to be non-existent.

I love the show. Appointment television every year about this time but the last couple of years it seems the series has lost what made it special and this year, if it wasn’t for a tweet a while ago, I would have forgotten.

The shows are so well produced I am sure they have some great story lines and Head Coach Dan Campbell is entertaining so while I am not overly excited about the debut tonight, my guess is I will be all in on the series after episode one.

The Detroit Free Press reports there have been mentions of hyenas and a team praying mantis and a ballyhooed performance of Michael Jackson’s hit song “Billie Jean” by Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions’ top 2022 draft pick.

Singing rookies is always great content and I love the behind the scenes looks. But knowing how protective teams are, I know we are only getting a small taste of what life is like at training camp – and with social media, teams put out a lot of what used to make Hard Knocks so special – it’s just not as well produced.

Most years we fall in love with certain players from the team that is on Hard Knocks and end up drafting them in our fantasy leagues – I don’t think that will be the case this year.

Hard Knocks is tonight at 9 on HBO.

Let me know what you think on Twitter @JasonMinnix and tune into The Blitz weekdays 4-7p.