HBO’s behind the scenes NFL docuseries Hard Knocks has been following the Arizona Cardinals throughout the course of the 2022-23 season, and over at Arizona Sports 98.7, the gang on Wolf & Luke feel like having the cameras in the team facility in-season adds pressure to the Cardinals to want to play better.
Kellan Olson, who was filling in for Ron Wolfley on Wednesday, said that it’s not a bad pressure, but more a good type of pressure that will allow the cream to rise to the top.
“I think that this motivates them even more, because you don’t want to look like this type of football team with extra cameras and this behind the scenes,” he said. “Because when they’re showing stuff behind the scenes, you do not want to be the guy that’s caught lacking or the guy that’s caught goofing around during a serious moment or whatever kind of situation behind the scenes that can unfold that will make you look stupid on national television.”
Show co-host Luke Lapinski said having the cameras following the team will keep players focused as the Cardinals try to turn things around. Arizona is currently 3-6 and in last place in the NFC West.
“I have to think on some level when you’re a team that has struggled with the second half of the season, and you’re a team that wants to make sure guys are as sharp as they can possibly be and have that edge. I do wonder if motivation was part of the reason Michael Bidwill or whoever was willing to sign off on this,” he said.
“People are going to draw conclusions based on this show, right or wrong, and as a player you gotta be aware of like, ‘OK the cameras are here I should be dialed in at all times,” Lapinski added. “‘I probably should be anyway.'”
