On the second installment of HBO’s Hard Knocks, we get to take a closer look at football for the Texans without Arian Foster. Running back Alfred Blue wants to be seen a serious back up to Arian Foster, but finds himself getting embarrassed by linebacker Brian Cushing, who is a very important part of the episode as well.
Cushing decided to be a little, let’s just say, immature for the episode. He kicked a practice sled, and even makes fun of Coach Vrabel’s kids hair. Seems like Cushing wants to be portrayed as the team bully, and he did a good job of that during episode 2. The funniest thing to me was when Cushing was talking to D. Hopkins and Hopkins asked “Do you drink Starbucks” and Cushing replied, “I used to, then I realized im not a chick.”
But while Cushing got a lot of time on camera, of course the face of the Texans, J.J. Watt, also got his shine. While the Texans fans seem to love Watt, you have to think sometimes, what do his teammates think about him?
Watt and Vince Wilfork shared a bonding moment after discussing the joys of eating breakfast. Watt even sets up a future breakfast date with Wilfork and his family to see how good Wilfork’s wife can cook.
Coach Bill O’Brien continued to have very colorful language but really stood out to me in one scene in particular. O’ Brien gave his players, especially the rookies, a lesson in interviewing with the media. He gave them all the basic, non confrontational answers that players use, to irritate the media. It’s sad that players have to get taught the cliche answers they give in interviews, however it was very real to see a coach actually doing the teaching.
We got to see former 1st overall pick of the 2014 draft Jadeveon Clowney, as he completes rehab for an injury. We will most likely see more of him going forward, as Clowney did not seem too happy to be rehabbing the injury.
Going back to Deandre Hopkins, who made a name last week for his embarrassment of Redskins DB DeAngelo Hall. Hopkins has to be trolling. Because he insists that he wants a pet Yorkie to bring in a “man bag” to the club with him, ala Paris Hilton. His teammates were not feeling the idea and one teammate even told him that he’d delete Hopkins number if he ever got one.
In short, we got to see the rookies getting haircuts, a nasty revelation by J.J. Watt about why he wears a jock strap, and we learn that QB Ryan Mallett likes to showboat after a score.
What we didn’t get to see what clarification in the QB race, and the only reason that can be, is that even the Texans have no clue as to who they want starting at QB. We can find out next week however on the next episode of Hard Knocks.
Overall, this episode had a lot of funny sayings and interesting content, I’d have to give this episode an 8 out of 10.
Hard Knocks Episode 2 will re-air on Wednesday at 11pm on HBO. Episode 3 of Hard Knocks will air next Tuesday August 25 at 10 pm.