HBO: Hard Knocks - Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys (Episode 2) Recap

EPISODE TWO

This show begins with some shots of Jerry Jones’ grandkids. As if Jerry Jones reads PopCritics, he then proceeds to participate in Slapface - the game from The Office promo that we posted about. T.O. also plays with the Jerry’s grandchildren by torturing one in an ice bath. It looks like the producers want to make sure Owens has plenty of camera time.

The Cowboys are a family. They are supposed to look out for each other according to head coach Wade Phillips. There are several flashbacks throughout this episode. I’m not going to bore you with the specific details but I particularly enjoyed the videos from the 60s/ 70s of Wade’s dad Bum Phillips. I went to High School in the Houston area so I was a huge Oilers fan and while I never knew Bum as a coach, I did know him as an awesome announcer. We would turn the tv on, mute it, and listen to Bum Phillips call the game. Good times! Anyway, this episode is getting a little too lovey dovey for me. Families fight and there was only one minor temper tantrum between some defensive and offensive players. Boring! The roster includes the strong personalities of Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, and Adam Jones. I know they won’t be best friends forever.

T.O. seems to take a shot at Bill Parcells when he talks about how Wade treats people like men without yelling like they were pieces of meat. The intent of the interview is to lift of Wade’s coaching style, but there is little doubt of who Owens is referring to by that comment. Can’t we just all get along? Parcells is in Miami now and has no chance of challenging the Cowboys for the Super Bowl title anytime soon.

There are celebrities galore that seem to want to check in on Cowboys camp. Magic Johnson makes an appearance as a guest speaker and talks about winning a championship and working together. I love me some Magic Johnson. Others like Jamie Foxx, Rob Lowe, and Dennis Miller make quick appearances. Who doesn’t love the Dallas Cowboys? Oh yeah… people in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Pittsburgh, Houston, Green Bay, Minnesota… I guess the list can go on.

The second episode focuses on a few main guys that include Felix Jones, Danny Amendola, Zach Thomas, Keon Lattimore, Tank Johnson, and Martellus Bennett. Danny Amendola seems to be the fan favorite dark horse to make the team. T.O. loves him. Many have compared him to Wes Welker. They both are versatile, both played wide receiver and punt returner, and both played for Texas Tech. Owens says his money is on the table however. If Amendola doesn’t make the Cowboys squad, then he’ll make another team. Let’s hope he makes this team.

There was a funny moment involving Zach Thomas catching punts. In case any of you didn’t know, Zach Thomas is a 35 year old linebacker and has no chance ever to serve as a punt returner. Patrick Crayton was making fun of him. On one he had to run a bit and Crayton said that he probably pulled every ass muscle he had. The narrator quickly stated that Zach has someone to pull his ass muscles for him as they cut to a scene where he is being massaged. You will actually see this on the video below. Later on, Zach gives Keon Lattimore a pretty good shot that knocked him back and off his feet during a practice play. It was not as solid as the hit Marion Barber did in episode one, but it was a de-cleater nonetheless. Too bad it wasn’t included in the video.

Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett’s dad has run every day for 26 years straight and has not missed a day. One of the funniest scenes of the show is watching him run across the screen - well, I use “run” loosely for a 78 year old man. It seemed to take 5 mins to go what looked like 15 yards. That’s great entertainment from something that really has nothing to do with Dallas Cowboys training camp.

Oh, Lord.. Mrs. Price! Fans are fanatical. I realize that. But OMG! You’ll briefly see what I mean in the video, but that lady is flat out crazy. Keep your children locked and stowed away in their upright position. I think all she does is yell. Sam Hurd did a pretty funny impression of her when he described her grandma kiss on the show.

A little bit more on the T.O. show. Roy Williams makes fun of a camera shot of T.O. running on the beach then throwing a rock. Roy Williams was mimicking T.O. in dramatic fashion like he had a Zoolander worthy model look. He emphasized that T.O. was flexing his muscles while he ran and posed as he threw the rock in the ocean. Funny stuff.

Game time. It’s time for highlights of the preseason game versus San Diego. Amendola returns the first punt, but then quickly fumbles it. Doh! That’s not going to help make T.O.’s prediction come true. Zach Thomas busts up a few plays like he has done for so long in the NFL. He was a solid free agent pick up this year. Felix Jones looked impressive with his speed and cuts. Martellus Bennett struggled. First team offense and defense look strong. The second team faltered and the depth may not be as strong as originally thought. Cowboys lose 31-17 but starters were only in for one series each.

Overall, the second episode was not as good as the first. There must not have been much going on as there were a lot of side stories relating to relatives of the coaches. However, the funny moments were really funny and Mrs. Price… well, I’m speechless. Enjoy this short video of one person’s opinion of the highlights of this episode and I’ll let the ice bath shrinkage scene speak for itself. I just wish a few more scenes were included.