NEW ORLEANS – I just reported over on our news side that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be a leading candidate to be featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks’’ series this summer.
That, of course, comes only if there is a labor agreement and teams go to training camp in July or August. But the Bucs have been involved in talks, although no deal has been finalized.
This would make plenty of sense for the Bucs. They’re a team that struggled with attendance last season. Not a single game sold out at Raymond James Stadium and segments of the team’s fan base have not been positive about ownership.
Putting an outgoing head coach like Raheem Morris on the show could boost Tampa Bay’s national exposure. The Bucs also could use the show to help market some rising young stars like quarterback Josh Freeman, running back LeGarrette Blount and receiver Mike Williams.