The Browns aren't favorites to do much, but according to a report, they are the "front-runners" to be cast in HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer.
Because Cleveland doesn't have a new coach (not this year), hasn't been in the playoffs in either of the past two seasons (not since 2002) and hasn't appeared on "Hard Knocks" in the past 10 years (not ever), they are one of nine teams the NFL can force to appear to in the training camp reality series.
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That doesn't mean the league should pick Cleveland — even if fans would love it. Why? Because last we checked, the NFL is still very image-conscious and the Browns, well, have a bad image at the moment.
There's plenty of juicy dysfunctional material, even before you get to Johnny What's His Face. Right there with them among "qualifying" teams would be the Redskins, just for a bleep-free Jay Gruden working with an attention-seeking Robert Griffin III.
While the Browns and Redskins feel like the Kardashians and Osbournes in this scenario, in reality the NFL should prefer "Hard Knocks" to be more like "The Amazing Race," a consistent Emmy-winning profile of grueling physical competition, with just the right dash of personality.
Not many teams want to let cameras in on their most important process of the preseason. Looking back on the Falcons, the last team to volunteer to participate on the program, doesn't help, either. Nice-guy coach Mike Smith was fired after a tough season. So, volunteers might be harder to find. That means the NFL may have to make the call, and while the fans would absolutely love to see the Manziel show or a Gruden meltdown, the NFL would be wise to avoid such scenarios.
In the end, the league gets a great six-week buzz with "Hard Knocks" every summer no matter what team is on, and can still get the premium-cable ratings. So why force the controversy, whether it's Cleveland or Washington?
We've ranked the seven other qualifying teams, based on how much they fit the NFL's winning drama-free formula. We'll find out for sure when this year's "Hard Knocks" team is announced in early June.
1. Buccaneers. Nice-guy coach? Check on Lovie Smith. A franchise that's only slightly intriguing? Check. There's also the potential for a dominant series story line that has the right dose of drama: Jameis Winston's first training camp. By then, well after the draft, the spotlight on Winston will be more on the field as the likely No. 1 overall pick. Lovie may not love the idea, but he (and they) actually would be good for it.
2. Texans. Two letters and one word: J.J. Watt. Think about the player who best represents what the NFL wants to be all about, and it's the superhero defensive end who turns Houston from ho-hum to a hotbed. Half the episodes could be just feats of Watt's derring-do on and off the field and it would be very watchable (and enjoyable). They also have a pretty good, likeable supporting actor in Arian Foster.
3. Giants. Think about the classy, classic team that best represents what the NFL wants to be all about, and this is easily a good choice. Besides, Odell Beckham Jr. just became the offensive version of Watt, where there's a hankering for every move he makes everywhere. Heck, we would watch an entire episode of Beckham owning a JUGS machine.
4. Vikings. Mike Zimmer is nice and has experience as a "Hard Knocks" profile with the Bengals. Teddy Bridgewater is even nicer as a rising young star. What would hurt here is whether the NFL is willing to go back to Adrian Peterson as a featured player, assuming Peterson is still a Viking in camp.
5. Rams. Jeff Fisher is the reason this won't happen, even though it would be good PR for L.A.-rumored St. Louis, even a year after Michael Sam's lone camp with the team. The league won't push it though, given the Rams' head coach is also the co-chair of its competition committee, and it wouldn't want to force Fisher into an uncomfortable situation.
6. Jaguars. Shad Khan is working to make Jacksonville a bigger, better brand, but there are two reasons they are low on the list. First, general manager Dave Caldwell already expressed last year that he and coach Gus Bradley wouldn't be thrilled about their team being a subject. Second, there's not enough star power here (not yet) to make them compelling for the NFL in '15. Consider it an unwritten mutual agreement.
7. Titans. And we've crossed the threshold of non-descript to not too interesting in the short term. The only way Music City could make enough noise for the league is if Winston slips to Tennessee at No. 2. Otherwise, there will be no NFL version of Nashville Star.
