After Long Drawn Out Search, Miami Dolphins To Appear On HBO's Hard Knocks

After a drawn-out offseason process, HBO has decided to showcase the Miami Dolphins on this summer's version of the hit reality TV series "Hard Knocks."

HBO announced Tuesday that the Dolphins would be the newest subject of its popular reality series documenting NFL training camps. The seventh season premieres Aug. 7, with four more one-hour episodes airing on subsequent Tuesdays.

The New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons both were mentioned as potential selections for this season, but sources told ESPN both franchises declined to be on the show.

The Dolphins are entering the season -- also the 40th anniversary of the only perfect season in NFL history -- with a new head coach and a rookie quarterback selected with the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft.

"We are delighted that 'Hard Knocks' will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on the Miami Dolphins, a venerable franchise that had an exciting off-season activity," HBO Sports president Ken Hershman said in a statement announcing the decision. "This marks the first time that the series has featured a first-year head coach (Joe Philbin) and we are extremely grateful to both Coach Philbin and the entire organization for agreeing to participate. As always, there will be plenty on the line for veterans, free agents and rookies."

Owner Stephen Ross hired Philbin in January after the Dolphins' seventh below-.500 season in the past eight years. Philbin, who as the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator helped mold quarterback Aaron Rodgers, drafted Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill with Miami's first-round pick in April.

Tannehill is expected to compete with incumbent Matt Moore and veteran addition David Garrard for the Dolphins' starting job, although Ross has said he expects Moore to be the starter this season.

Miami's role on "Hard Knocks" makes sense for a team and owner that have chased big names, big headlines and big stars, largely in vain, for much of the past few years. While failing to land high-profile names such as quarterback Peyton Manning and coaches Jeff Fisher and Jim Harbaugh, Ross has sold minority stakes in team ownership to celebrities including singers Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. The Dolphins even boast a red-carpet entrance at their home games for celebrities attending the game.

"The Miami Dolphins have long been synonymous with success on the field as evidenced by our five Super Bowl appearances and the only perfect season in NFL history," Philbin said in a statement. "That heritage serves as a constant reminder to our players and staff of the great legacy that has been left for us to uphold. Our team embraces that rich past and looks confidently to the future as we begin this journey back to the top of the NFL.
"All the decisions that have been made this offseason have had one guiding principle -- will it help our players and organization reach its full potential? This one is no different. We are convinced that our affiliation with NFL Films and HBO will allow football fans everywhere an opportunity to comprehend the significant sacrifices and demands that our players endure each day along their journey in training camp as a Miami Dolphin."

"Hard Knocks" won three Sports Emmys for its portrayal of the Jets in 2010. The show, which is co-produced with NFL Films, has been on the air intermittently since its debut in 2001 with the Baltimore Ravens, and did not air last season due to the NFL lockout.

In subsequent years, the Dallas Cowboys (2002 and 2008), Kansas City Chiefs (2007), Cincinnati Bengals (2009) and Jets have been featured.