Hard knocks: the off-season leaves the locker room for management

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I have a confession to make. I’m a New York Giants fan. And a third-generation fan, at that. So when I heard they were going to be the featured team in Hard knocks: OffseasonI wasn’t particularly excited. Even casual fans of the 23-year-old series can tell you that many, if not most, teams don’t exactly cover themselves in glory. And for an organization like the Giants, traditionally one of the NFL’s most closeted franchises, it seemed particularly odd. However, I’m a lifelong Giants fan, so as they move forward, I am, too.

What is immediately apparent in the two episodes screened for critics is the addition of Out of season at the end of the series title is not just cosmetic. While the series has traditionally focused its attention on the sidelines and the pitch during the preseason, Hard knocks: Offseason The images are reflected in hallways and on front office desks. Yes, viewers catch a glimpse of a player or prospect from time to time. Indeed, the coach, in this case Brian Daboll, remains a major part of the story. However, the “star” of the proceedings is general manager Joe Schoen as he and his staff try to build a team that will erase the pain of going 6 and 11 games in the 2023-24 season.

As a central character, Schoen is a fairly laid-back focal point. His stories reveal an intense dedication to work and frugality. One tale of driving for hours after taking the Giants job with only two peanut butter sandwiches for sustenance is particularly instructive. Yet, at least so far, any outward signs of excess seem sublimated under a lax, laconic management style. No mutiny is visible or underway, so he seems to command respect. He just doesn’t do it by bragging about the building or thundering in his staff’s faces.

As a fan, it’s reassuring. As a viewer, however, it tones down the drama in a way that might be unacceptable to some. It moves Hard knocks: Offseason The network is moving away from its “reality TV with more impressive productions” traditions to a more expert-like approach. If the audience is there to understand how football teams manage talent after a season, this season will do just that. For those who prefer red meat in their TV diet, the change may be frustrating and disappointing.

That’s not to say the show is boring or devoid of personality. For one thing, Liev Schreiber lends his voice to the proceedings as the omniscient narrator. A Lower East Side kid and current Manhattan resident, his gruff delivery is aptly reflective of the New York of it all. He’s quiet and understated in the role, which fits the Giants’ self-image and presentation. However, he does manage the occasional lapse into the poetic language that almost any NFL property must employ at times. True, he’s never quite as swaggering as the voice of NFL Films’ John Facenda. Still, Schreiber finds the right pace and cadence to adapt Facenda’s style to something a little more subdued.

Plus, while Schoen isn’t prone to talking nonsense, that doesn’t mean he and his team aren’t interesting. In the second episode, in particular, the scouts get a chance to shine. They attend the Combine, the first major event of the offseason. It’s a market for potential players in which athletes perform feats and answer questions about character and memorization. During this time, their every move and word is cut up and analyzed by each team’s scouting corps.

While this is all decidedly serious, the Giants have great team chemistry. What’s especially enjoyable is that everyone criticizes Daboll for insisting that he could definitely run the 40-yard dash in under 7 seconds, especially if he’s running toward chicken wings. The second most interesting thing is their steak dinner after the Combine where they make fun of each other and openly question the accuracy of a player’s rushing record.

The greatest example of how Schoen himself can be an ironically fascinating presence in Hard knocks: Offseason comes from a free agent situation. The first two episodes repeatedly revisit how the Giants will handle the possible departure of running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley was obviously the G-men’s most effective offensive weapon in recent years. Unfortunately, being a 27-year-old running back in the NFL is a precarious situation for both the player and the team. His past productivity entitles him to a significant pay raise. On the other hand, running backs are one of the most high-profile positions with the shortest lifespan. It turns out that getting tackled, hard, almost every time you touch the ball and then lying under a human pile isn’t the best for your body.

The way Schoen handles this tension is fascinating, with its complete lack of emotion. It all culminates in a reasonable and cordial phone call between the GM and the RB. It’s also completely void of anyone saying what they really feel. It’s impossible to listen to it without getting goosebumps. It’s remarkable how disconnected it is from the stakes for both men. If you just read their words, you might conclude they were discussing something as minor as a dinner date.

Despite my initial apprehension, I came away relatively satisfied with the Giants’ turnout after the two episodes screened. But again, that’s my hat as a fan. As a piece of television, this is a “serious” show that is more likely to appeal to people. Those looking for something a little more entertainment-oriented might hope for a season closer to the Jets.

Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants arrives online July 3 on HBO.

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