Random Ramsdom: Final thoughts on ‘Hard Knocks: Los Angeles’

Last night was the series finale of Hard Knocks: Los Angeles and I have to say: it was just OK.

Through the first four episodes, I thoroughly enjoyed the series. I didn’t take much stock in all the reports that it was the lowest-rated season ever because I didn’t care as long as I liked what I was watching. However, the finale did not provide the expected exclamation point on the whole show like I would have expected. It just sort of ... ended.

The show was always going to be a bit different from normal seasons, which is understandable due to the pandemic. However, I don’t feel like the producers did their best to get the most out of the storylines — they continued to focus on just a handful of players instead of spreading the love and attention around the two teams. For three whole episodes, it seemed like all we got was Clay Johnston, Donte Deayon, and Juju Hughes. That was fine and dandy for an episode, but we didn’t need three shows just to remind everyone that Hughes likes toothpicks and Johnston “played his nuts off.”

The players we all wanted to see — Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, and any of the offensive personalities — were just not highlighted enough.

All in all, they missed a ton of opportunities for premium content. Some of the best parts of the show were the end credits that recorded Donald and Michael Brockers just joking around.

What a bummer.

Anyways, the show is over, which obviously means the NFL season is here. There’s your silver lining in all of this. Let’s just get to Sunday already.

And here are todays links.

Rams News:

Stu Jackson previews the week one matchup against Dallas (TheRams.com)

McVay is planning on a three-man rotation at running back against the Cowboys (TheRams.com)

Former DC Wade Phillips trolls the analytics that say Aaron Donald isn’t an elite run defender (The Rams Wire)

The Rams signed CB Jalen Ramsey to the biggest contract ever for a defensive back (ESPN)

NFL News:

Check out ESPN’s cover story on QB Deshaun Watson (ESPN)

Joseph Zucker reports on the Broncos’ Von Miller being out for the year with an ankle injury (Bleacher Report)

The Cowboys restructured OG Zack Martin’s contract to free up $8 million in cap space (Pro Football Talk)

Pete Prisco posted his NFL power rankings prior to opening night (CBS Sports)

Cody Benjamin ranks his favorites from the season finale of ‘Hard Knocks’ (CBS Sports)

Bill Barnwell makes a case for each of the 32 NFL teams to win the Super Bowl (ESPN)