Editor’s note: This story includes clips from the show shared on social media and has language some may find objectionable.
To use Brad Holmes’ words: it’s getting down to the nitty gritty.
The first three episodes of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” took Detroit Lions fans on an adventure.
The first introduced viewers to the coaching staff and rookie sensation Aidan Hutchinson. The second put a spotlight on Malcolm “Rodrigo” Rodriguez, D’Andre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown and David Blough and his wife. The third showed life on the bubble with undrafted free agents Kalil Pimpleton and Obinna Eze as well as the trials and tribulations of running back Craig Reynolds and his brother’s incarceration.
Episode 4 of this season’s “Hard Knocks” put the spotlight on the toughest part of the profession — trimming down the roster. It highlighted the intricacies of that process from general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, to the assistants on staff and the personnel department.
“This is the cold hard truth — we’re sitting at 80 and we’ve got to get to 53 and it’s a bitch,” Campbell said following the preseason loss to Pittsburgh at the end of the episode. “It’s the worst part of this (expletive) job.
“The blood, the sweat the tears the devotion; everything you’ve put into it you’ve got my respect. … I wish I could keep you, all of you. But that’s just not how it works. But we appreciate the hell out of you because you gave us your best.”
How the sausage is made
This is the first time the show goes deeper on Holmes. The Lions’ second-year GM explains how he does his best to make sure people at every level and angle of the organization are involved.
Early in the episode dozens of coaches and front office personnel are in a board room at the Lions’ Allen Park headquarters, mixing and matching different combinations of personnel as they try to negotiate the roster.
At one point, Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley said he clearly has his top five and he’d love for his room to be able to keep 10 in order to have “those first two groups.”
Running backs coach Duce Staley remarks on how D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are safe, but 28 (Jermar Jefferson) and 46 (Craig Reynolds) “know they have to turn their (expletive) up a little bit.”
Holmes tells the entire room if there’s somebody who they really like, do not hold back.
“We run a very collaborative process,” he explained. “We will start off with a position, that position coach will go through the rankings at a current time and a member of the personnel department will got through that same position group. Then our coordinator will sum it up at the end. All of our evaluators are artists and their artwork is on display — I’ve always said the beauty of scouting is you have to encourage independent thoughts and encourage the artistry of evaluation.
“After all that, me and Dan take all that information and sit down and meet about it.”
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Letting the players lead
Holmes and Campbell end up meeting and discussing how in the final week before roster cuts, they want the players to show what they’re made of. It’s one thing to do it when the coaches are leading the way, but which athletes will step up and take charge.
That ushers the episode into the player-led practice that Campbell called last Monday. He and the coaching staff scripted the plays for the team; but the drills, the speed and the organization was entirely up to those in pads
“The coaches are working on Pittsburgh, so they won’t be out there I’ll be the only one and I’m not coaching,” Campbell explained to his team. “I’ll have the whistle, I’ll blow it to keep everything regulated but I’m not saying a word … if we get into a situation don’t ask me because I’m not telling you.
“Let’s see what you do with it, make it your own.”
The team seems to do quite well. Tracy Walker jokes about looking like Campbell as he begins to call plays. One of the players who is mic’d up and had another strong day is Jared Goff.
“Real excited about Jared,” said quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell. “He likes what we’re doing and likes who we’re doing it with. He’s making some incredible throws and I think we’re getting a glimpse of what he’s going to be for us this year.”
Campbell said as much to Goff at the player-only practice when he tells him, “you’re on fire right now.”
“They’re going and getting balls and making plays,” Goff said back to his coach. “It just gives you confidence.”
It’s the first time we get a slight glimpse into Goff in this season of the show. He doesn’t speak directly to the camera in an interview, or break down film, but the show goes to a meeting as he teaches lessons to high schoolers partnering with his clothing line.
The interaction is limited, but he picks out one design that the group of teens worked on and said he could see the potential.
“I think this will be one of the best sellers,” Goff said. “I can see people wearing it around town (and) wearing it to the games.”
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Two groups trying to make it
From there, it’s all business.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn rips into his unit for allowing Goff to complete 16 of 18 passes the day prior and points out how Goff is completing 72% of passes during training camp.
“(Expletive) buckle up,” said offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. “I went by AG’s office … he wouldn’t even talk to me and you guys think I’m kidding, he let his guys know. They’re going to be out for blood today. No problem, we’ve got enough ammunition in here.”
It’s a cut scene to the Lions’ night practice — their most intense during all of training camp. After a long night of practice, the final one that’s full-go in pads, Campbell explains to his team exactly where things stand.
“There’s almost two groups jockeying for the last few spots,” he said. “There’s a group of guys that it crushes you, they do everything right and you probably know who you are. You go non-stop, you’re highly competitive, you’re dependable but it’s that ‘man do they quite have the talent?’
“Then there’s some guys who’ve got some ability now, but can we trust them? Here’s what I’d say for the first group … just go do it again. Be that dependable guy that does (expletive) right all the time. Make it (expletive) hard on us.”
Lackluster in Pittsburgh
The final portion of the episode is dedicated to the Lions in Pittsburgh. Much like seeing it through the eyes of Eze and Pimpleton’s family’s in Week 3, Rodriguez’s family and Reynolds’ father are mic’d during the game.
The main emphasis in the final game was determining the second quarterback on the roster. Unfortunately for the Lions, both Tim Boyle and David Blough struggled.
Boyle, who was slated to play the entire first half, threw a bad interception, which led to Campbell changing his mind.
“What do you think about putting Blough in with the ones?,” he asked through the headset.
It didn’t go much better, with the Lions getting shutout until midway through the second half. Pimpleton dropped what would’ve been a touchdown late in the second half and while he beat himself up on the sideline for it, Blough and other teammates told him to shake it off.
“I’m so grateful the opportunity was there, whatever the outcome, I’m blessed,” he said walking off the field.
That was he sentiment many shared after the game.
“Love you bro, whatever happens,” Reynolds said as he exited the field alongside Brock Wright.
Campbell gives a speech in the locker room after the game, but the portion that’s aired isn’t at all about the game. It’s about the fact that over the ensuing 72 hours, one-third of the team will have to get cut.
That leads to left tackle Taylor Decker reminding the team to stay close and check on one another.
“Reach out to your boys, let them know you care about them,” he said. “This is a tough time for a lot of guys. Family on three.
“One, two, three, family.”
Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @realtonygarcia.