July 29, 2011; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams during the first day of training camp at the New Orleans Saints practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

It’s no secret that the HBO reality series Hard Knocks is one of my favorite shows on TV, and after going a full year without it due to the lockout last season, I was greatly looking forward to the newest edition for the upcoming season. According to sources, however, it looks like the show is having trouble finding a team willing to participate. Pro Football Talk is reporting that HBO has set a deadline of June 1 for finding a team, and that some teams may be hesitant to participate after the bounty scandal in New Orleans and, more specifically, the leaked audio tape of Gregg Williams that ignited the whole investigation.

Teams are concerned that they will find themselves in the same situation if a group is there recording them every step of the way throughout the preseason, and I can’t say I blame them. As much as I love the show, I certainly wouldn’t let an outside film crew to have an all-access pass to my team knowing that Williams and the Saints are in their precarious position for the exact same reason. The article at PFT talks about the partnership between HBO and NFL Films, and how teams have had the option of reviewing episodes before they go an air, but I don’t think that’s the issue. As a coach or executive of a franchise, I would be more concerned about a crew member recording something they shouldn’t and either selling it to the highest bidder or using it to further their career through notoriety. In this media age, it seems almost foolish to give a group of people access to you regardless of whether you have something to hide or not.

I’m not saying that I don’t want the show to come back, but I will say that if HBO can’t find a team I will understand why. The deadline is a week away, so we will know something for sure very soon.

First, it was announced today that the Rams will open the NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears on August 7. Obviously, this in contingent upon the lockout being settled and the league starting up again, but it’s nice to see the Rams getting on national TV. It will be a huge weekend for the Rams if they do play, as Marshall Faulk will be going into the Hall as well. This is all the more reason for fans in St. Louis to hope that this labor dispute gets settled as soon as possible.

Also, Rams GM Billy Devaney was on ProFootballTalk Live on Tuesday and he revealed that the Rams have placed a high priority on getting a backup for Steven Jackson through either the draft or free agency this offseason. We have been calling for this for two or three years, but it sounds like it is going to happen one way or another before the 2011 season (if there is one). The backup RB position is obviously one of need, but it is so refreshing to finally hear Devaney say that the front office is committed to solving the issue. Since free agency may not be active before the draft, Rams fans need to watch the draft closely for what could be our next RB.

Finally, in a bit of fun news, Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis said in an interview with The Lantern on Tuesday that he would consider taking up the family business of professional wrestling if the lockout cancels the 2011 season. For those who don’t know, Laurinaitis’ father is one half of one of the greatest tag teams in history, the Legion of Doom. His dad still works for the WWE, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame just a few weeks ago. I am a big wrestling fan, and I have been since I was a little kid, so this was fun to hear. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but seeing James in the squared circle would be very enjoyable, as long as he doesn’t get hurt. At least he will be keeping in shape.

Jerry Jones prepares to launch the next phase of his plan to goad Tony Romo into playing with a broken pinkie.