The NFL’s Miami Dolphins will be the next franchise featured on HBO’s award winning reality series ‘Hard Knocks.’ 

The Jets promo photo for Hard Knocks (creative commons)

According to the Hollywood Reporter, HBO has decided to showcase the Dolphins after numerous calls to other NFL teams were repeatedly denied.  Tim Tebow’s signing in the offseason made the Jets the prized recruit for the show. However, after a spat with Tom Brady in the media concerning ‘Hard Knocks’ in 2010 and some of the negative attention aimed towards New York’s head coach Rex Ryan and his profane demeanor, the Jets declined to be featured on the program.    

In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 72’ Dolphins who finished the season 17-0,  the NFL’s only recorded perfect season, Miami will be unveiling a new coach, Joe Philbin, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2007-2011. Philbin inherits a team that has made the playoffs only once in the last decade and that posted a record of 6-10 last season.

The show will likely focus a lot of attention on Miami’s first pick in the 2012 NFL draft,  Ryan Tannehill and how he adjusts to playing football in the professional ranks.  Philbin, who last coached 2011 NFL MVP Quarterback Aaron Rodgers,   will play a big role in the development of the rookie quarterback.  

Another story to watch will be the career resurrection of Reggie Bush. The former USC Heisman Trophy winner and number two overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, Bush was dumped for salary cap purposes by the New Orleans Saints after the 2010 season.  In his first season with the Miami Dolphins, Bush eclipsed the 1000 yard rushing mark for the first time in his career and will likely be the focal point of opposing defenses in the upcoming year.

‘Hard Knocks’ debuted in 2001 when it covered defending Super Bowl champions the Baltimore Ravens. This will be in its seventh season in production.  The show will premiere on August 7th.

Reach contributor Mike Zepeda here.