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What better team to feature on reality television than the Cleveland Browns?
This appears to be the logic of "Hard Knocks." Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News, and formerly of ClevelandBrowns.com, reported that the Browns could be featured on the reality television show in August.
Hearing the #Browns are front-runners for next featured team on HBO Hard Knocks series.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) March 23, 2015
The Browns turned down "Hard Knocks" last year, but could be forced to partake in the show this time around.
Only a club with first-year head coaches, has made the playoffs in the last two seasons, or has appeared in the show in the last decade can turn it down. While the Browns fell into the first category last season, they cannot abstain this season.
Eight other teams are eligible: the Buccaneers, Giants, Jaguars, Rams, Redskins, Texans, and Titans.
"Hard Knocks" debuted in 2001, documenting the Ravens during the preseason. The show follows a number of team-specific storylines throughout training camp, giving fans a behind the scenes glance into the NFL. The show then covered the Cowboys in 2002 before a four-year hiatus. The Chiefs, Cowboys, Bengals (twice), Jets, Dolphins, and Falcons have all been featured on the show.
Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch first reported the Browns' eligibility for the show in early January.
As noted by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, head coach Mike Pettine was the defensive coordinator of the Jets in 2010 when "Hard Knocks" covered the Jets. Wide receiver Andrew Hawkins also experienced the show as a member of the Bengals in 2013.
Fans will likely have to wait a while before the show announces its team. Last year, "Hard Knocks" waited to early June to reveal that it would follow the Falcons.