The Wait Is (Kind Of) Over: NFL Training Camp Begins

This week begins with the opening of training camp for most of the NFL. Most NFL fans have eagerly been awaiting the start of camp which marks the end of the NFL’s interminable 6-month long offseason. After following Free Agency, the Draft and OTAs it is finally time for teams to bring their offseason plans to fruition and start turning their team into a cohesive unit. Right now every team is tied for first place and fans of any team have at some reason to get excited (although some more than others). The 2010 season has begun and we are less than 3 weeks away from watching live football as the first preseason games begin in mid-August.

Of course camp lasts for about a month and then there are still several weeks before Week 1 kicks and quickly all the excitement centered around the start of camp will dissipate as we get ready for the regular season and meaningful games to begin. The one saving grace of the preseason however will be the return of HBO’s finest television series, Hard Knocks, which will go camping with the New York Jets this preseason. For anyone who hasn’t gotten the chance to follow Hard Knocks in the past I’ll describe it simply; it is the best show for an NFL fan, ever. Getting an in-depth look about what life is like for NFL players and coaches is something most people have never seen before and Hard Knocks has rarely failed to live up to the hype. The Jets boast a roster full of talent and questionable character and at the very least we should all be entertained by the personalities of head coach Rex Ryan and characters like WR Santonio Holmes, CB Antonio Cromartie (father of 7 children by 6 women in 4 states) and QB Mark Sanchez. There is a lot of hype around the Jets this year as they surprised everyone last season by reaching the AFC Championship game and that excitement level will be evident in camp. Whether you like them or not every football fan should watch Hard Knocks if you are not already familiar with it.