Why Hard Knocks IS a Football Decision.

[Doc-phin]

1st of all, when coach Philbin said it was a football decision, I believe he was trying to say that the concept was brought to the football operations part of the staff and the approval was not because of pressure from the financial operations side.

I sort of see it like this (short version)...

Ross to Ireland and Philbin:  "Hard Knocks would like to use us for their show this year, what do you think?"

Ireland to Ross:  "Fine with me; we (and I) could use a little help with our image right now."

Philbin to Ross:  "Works for me; I really don't want our players seeing a bunch of orange seats out there, it isn't the kind of thing that motivates a player".

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So what I am trying to say is that I think that from the beginning the quote has been misused.  Right after Philbin said it was a football decision, he said that there was no pressure from ownership and the final decision was on his.

Beyond that, I think it IS TRULY a football decision.  Philbin comes from a great stadium environment like Green Bay.  I am sure he saw enough game tape to realize that the lack of fan support wasn't helping the team.  Our team needs fan support as much as Steven Ross needs fan support.  It doesn't mean that they don't realize that winning is the best way to get fan support.  But Hard Knocks does give them a free avenue to getting a little buzz about the team which will to some level translate over to better fan interest in the team.

[Dave Gray]

I agree.

Also, it's a football decision, because free agents have a negative view of our team too.  This can help up bring in talent from around the league, like it used to be.

[MikeO]

I agree.

Also, it's a football decision, because free agents have a negative view of our team too.  This can help up bring in talent from around the league, like it used to be.

Teams use it as an infomercial and that is what Miami will do.