Documentary at Ravens' training camp has total access
By STEVE KRONER
Scripps Howard News Service

Sunday, August 5, 2001

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Wednesday night's debut of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Baltimore Ravens" was how few on-field "hard knocks" the program had.

The first of six "Hard Knocks" installments on HBO focused much more on "character development" than on blocking sleds and post patterns. The NFL Films/HBO Sports production devoted much of its hour to following Ravens head coach Brian Billick and several of his players as they prepared to head to camp at Western Maryland College in Westminster, Md.

Except for a brief opening segment, "Hard Knocks" does not use a narrator. So, whatever viewers learn about Billick and his players or about the training camp itself has an "unfiltered" feel.

"We did have some brief discussions about having coach Billick do the voiceover," HBO executive producer Rick Bernstein said yesterday, "but we wanted to make sure the show didn't appear scripted."

Billick and the Ravens have given NFL Films unprecedented access to cover coaches and players on the field, in meetings, at team meals and in their hotel rooms.

"Being in that (meeting) room with Billick," NFL Films executive producer Steve Sabol said, "that's something we've never been able to do before."

Sabol was referring to Billick's speech to his team on Sunday afternoon, prior to Monday's first practice. The coach talked to his players about the challenge of repeating as Super Bowl champions.

"I don't give a second thought to what this group can do when we hit the bump in the road," Billick says. "The key now is: Can you handle success? That's what's got me concerned."

That type of "inside" scene -- especially one so timely -- distinguishes "Hard Knocks" from most other programs. A vignette where veteran players make rookies sing at a team meal also provides a glimpse of training camp that most fans cannot see.

Those portions of the program worked much better than the mini-biographies of Billick, five veterans (Qadry Ismail, Ray Lewis, Shannon Sharpe, Tony Siragusa and Rod Woodson), two drafted rookies (Todd Heap and Dwayne Missouri) and three undrafted free agents (Kenny Jackson, Ortege Jenkins and Reggie Waddell).

Sharpe and Siragusa, in particular, are clearly comfortable in front of the cameras. They seem to have little reservation in saying whatever comes to mind. Siragusa on training camp: "It's almost like you're in jail. I hate the coaches. I hate the front office. I want to get back home. It's just miserable . . . It sucks."

Because the show airs on HBO, NFL Films doesn't bleep any expletives. Other than some occasional swearing, though, the look and sound of the show would fit just about any network that runs NFL Films programming.

The personal stories obviously are intended to give the audience a connection to Billick and the players. Nevertheless, the title of the program has "Training Camp" in it, but it took about 45 minutes before viewers saw any footage of Monday's practice.

Bernstein acknowledged that Wednesday's program might have dealt too long with the profiles. Bernstein said the future shows will have to revisit some of the personal story lines, both for the continuity of the show and for new viewers, who haven't yet "met" the individuals.

However, Bernstein said the ensuing programs definitely will have more on-field video. "How much more, I can't say," Bernstein said. "I thought some of our off-field stuff was terrific."

A new installment of "Hard Knocks" will air each Wednesday evening, with the final edition set for Sept. 5. Bernstein said he expects next week's program to have a segment on how the Ravens have dealt with the death of Vikings lineman Korey Stringer.