If you’ve seen HBO’s Hard Knocks, you’ll know that it’s as much about the people as it is about the football, and each season, a select people emerge as the show’s “stars”.
Yesterday, we asked our team to estimate which Chicago Bears player would be the star of the next season, and today’s assignment was to predict which coach will shine the brightest.
The definition of a star is open to interpretation, thus it might be the coach with the greatest screen time or the one who raises their profile.
Here is what our team had to say.
Bill Zimmerman: I’m going to use chalk to say Matt Eberflus. I believe his new style will stand out on camera, and the overall angle of Flus and his nicknames for all of the players will catapult him to star status on the show and make him likable to fans.
Editor: Bill spoke with a source close to the Hard Knocks situation, and we’ll have more information on Monday.
Josh Sunderbruch: It’s Eberflus. I am increasingly convinced that I had him wrong from the start, and this entire summer has done a lot to undercut my negative feelings about him. I think he’ll come out as extremely grounded and engaged.
Jeff Berckes believes that offensive line coaches are the best, so give me Chris Morgan.
Editor: Each night after Hard Knocks airs on our 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel, Jeff and a rotating series of guest hosts will be live for a recap and reaction show.
Taylor Doll: I’ll go ahead and say Flus on this one. Even though he is the head coach, I don’t think many people know anything about him. His off-season transformation puts him in a good position to catch some people’s attention. With the Bears’ decision to keep him last year, as well as his quirky nature with nicknames and things, I believe we will see a lot of Flus on the show. I also believe that following last year’s troubles with his offensive coaching staff and the turmoil surrounding his defensive coordinator, now is the time for them to reflect on that and his leadership.
Ken Mitchell: It will be defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
Jacob Infante: I’m looking forward to seeing Thomas Brown included in the presentation. The former Panthers offensive coordinator was largely regarded as a rising star in the coaching ranks before his troubles in Carolina harmed his reputation. Now, he can rehabilitate his reputation as a prospective NFL head coach by working with a good Bears offense.
Jack Salo: This Bears receiver group has received a lot of attention this offseason, and for good reason. Expect Chris Beatty, the wide receivers coach, to get a lot of screen time on Hard Knocks. He was DJ Moore’s college position coach and has spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers, working alongside Keenan Allen. Add in top-10 overall pick Rome Odunze, and there will be much to discuss.
Ryan Droste: I believe it’s Matt Eberflus. The majority of Americans are still unfamiliar with the Bears’ head coach, owing primarily to the team’s recent poor performance. And what can I say? Flus definitely has that unassuming, midwesterner aspect going for him. The media like this type of content and will use it to forward the narrative they create by editing the broadcast. Furthermore, the players on this team appear to adore the person, which the production staff will strive to reflect in the completed result on television.
Mason West: Give me Eric Washington. He commands a room and appears to be quite entertaining to watch as a coach. He has the peculiar job of “earning” more DC duties, considering Eberflus did not have any last season. Washington definitely wants to be a head coach, so having him on your side must be beneficial.
Samuel Householder: I believe that could be Eberflus. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m curious to see if he comes across as boring a father figure as he has in the footage and press briefings we’ve seen over the past two years. Maybe there’s more to him, or we’ll all be like, “Jeez, is this really going to be the guy who gets the team to the Super Bowl?” In either case, he may be a star. Among assistant coaches, I believe Chris Morgan is a potential since offensive line coaches appear to be poised to shine.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: “Flus has an old-school feel to him, which will appeal to football fans, but he also comes across as a genuinely nice guy.” We’ve seen him interact with his players, and their love and respect for him will be evident on the big stage. I could also see special teams coordinator Richard Hightower getting some screen time.
Leave a Reply