It seems as though any publicity is better than no publicity, at least in the case of the Cincinnati Bengals.
As first reported by the Philadelphia Daily News, the Bengals are set to be the featured team on HBO’s Hard Knocks, the hit sports reality show that offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse of training camp, for its upcoming season. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that an official announcement will be made sometime next week by HBO and the NFL.
This will be the second time in the last five years that the Bengals will appear on the show, the first being in 2009, as the team, then led by quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Chad Johnson, went 10-6 and won the AFC North title. The Bengals will look for similar fortune this year led by quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green. It will be the third time that head coach Marvin Lewis appears on the show.
Other teams that have been featured on the show in past seasons are the Dolphins (2012), Jets (2010), Cowboys (2008, 2002), Chiefs (2007) and Ravens (2001). The Enquirer reported that one other team had serious interest in being featured on the show for this season, but didn’t name them.
