‘Hard Knocks’ episode 1 recap: grillmaster Anthony Lynn steals the show

by admin

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn opened the latest season of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” the same way most people have started their days in 2020 – by getting in front of a computer and joining a video conference on Zoom.

Instead of being virtually greeted by classmates or coworkers, Lynn said hello to NFL players. Most were laughing from the comfort of their own homes and likely not wearing jeans.

Cornerback Casey Hayward was on a massage table, defensive end Joey Bosa was called “Big Money” and wide receiver Keenan Allen flexed to show off his new muscles.

But the friendly team banter vanished after Lynn revealed to his players he had tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the offseason. It was a surreal scene that sucked the air out of the meeting, but Lynn declined to make it about himself.

He used it as a learning lesson for his players as they were about to embark into a season of uncertainty amid a pandemic.

“You ain’t promised next year, you’re not promised tomorrow,” Lynn said as the “Hard Knocks” theme song began playing. “I want to limit your exposure (to the virus), but when that damn whistle blows, let’s go kick somebody’s ass and play some football.”

Lynn turned a second of sadness into a motivational moment. Lynn was the HBO star in Tuesday’s season premiere episode of “Hard Knocks: Los Angeles” featuring the Chargers and Rams.

The “Hard Knocks” cameras also revealed Rams rookie linebacker Terrell Lewis had tested positive for coronavirus and was required to quarantine for at least 10 days.

Lynn didn’t just play the role of head coach. He had a few comedic lines and put his legendary grilling skills on display for all of America to see.

Here are thoughts and observations from the season debut of the popular HBO reality show:

GRILLMASTER LYNN

Lynn has developed a reputation at Chargers headquarters in Costa Mesa for grilling the best chicken wings, but he has a very specific way of doing it.

The grilling scene starts with Lynn being a little embarrassed of using a gas grill instead of smoking the meat. That’s likely frowned upon where he comes from in Texas, but like a good coach, he adjusted.

“I wouldn’t know how to cook a brisket on a gas grill,” Lynn said. “Smoke it for about 14 hours, play dominoes, have a couple pops. That’s how we do it back in Dallas.”

Lynn tied a napkin around a fork with a green rubber band and used it to brush his chicken wings with BBQ sauce. Lynn’s wife, Stacey Bell, wasn’t too pleased about that because Lynn was using one of her china wedding forks.

“You sure you don’t want a brush for Christmas?” asked Bell, a former NBC New York news anchor.

Lynn declined as he continued his old-school brushing method while smoking a cigar.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT IN CLEVELAND

In the same grilling scene, Lynn shared he was supposed to take an assistant coaching job with the Chargers in 2007.

At the time, Lynn was working for Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells with the Dallas Cowboys. Parcells retired and was looking for jobs for his Dallas coaching staff.

Parcells found Lynn a gig with the Cleveland Browns and Lynn initially was reluctant, but you don’t say no to “The Big Tuna.”

Lynn passed on the Chargers and went to “the worst place in the United States for single men,” a title of a magazine story Lynn recalled seeing at the time.

That headline was wrong because Lynn met his wife in Cleveland. Now, the two live in Los Angeles with Lynn as the head coach of the Chargers.

Funny how life works sometimes, but of course, Parcells planned for this.

THE OPPOSITE L.A. COUPLE

Hard Knocks transitioned from the grilling couple to an opposite setting with Rams coach Sean McVay and his fiancée Veronika Khomyn.

McVay, Khomyn and their cute dog, Callie, were cozy by the patio fire and sipped on wine while looking at a picturesque L.A. background that comes from owning a luxurious home in the hills.

The 34-year-old offensive Rams guru is living the life.

THE AWKWARD SNEEZE

Everyone is afraid to sneeze in public nowadays, but Chargers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko couldn’t avoid it.

“I don’t have corona,” Fehoko told the medical team while being tested for coronavirus.

Fehoko deserves credit for having the social awareness of sneezing into his mask. That’s what good citizens do in 2020.

STRONG START FOR GOFF

Rams quarterback Jared Goff made it through the first episode without being ridiculed.

He’s already off to a better start than his previous appearance on “Hard Knocks” when the then-rookie was made fun of for not knowing where the sun rises.

Now, the seasoned veteran is pointing out the latest temperature scanners.

“You got the new merch,” Goff said after getting his temperature checked.

DONALD FEELS NO PAIN

It was funny seeing Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald pretend to feel pain after receiving a shot in his bulging forearm.

No, Donald, you’re not human. We’ve all seen you crush offensive linemen and quarterbacks on Sundays.

DEAYON’S STAND-UP COMEDY

The Rams’ comedic and slim backup cornerback, Donte Deayon, teased the muscular Donald for posting shirtless pictures on social media.

“You can see your ribs,” a member of the Rams can be heard telling Deayon after flexing.

Deayon then had a bit about the Rams’ divided locker room between starters and fringe players. He referred to it as the suburbs and housing projects.

He tried to convince two Rams coaches to let him have a locker on the nice side if he won a race or fought someone. The two coaches looked at each other like Deayon was crazy as he walked away.

“I’m working to get to the suburbs,” Deayon joked.

OBVIOUS THEME SONG

You never need an excuse to play OutKast’s classic “So Fresh, So Clean” song, but it was fitting that the “Hard Knocks” executives squeezed it in for a few seconds.

Imagine telling Andre 3000 and Big Boi in the year 2000 that their song would be used as a scene setter to wipe down gym equipment for two Los Angeles NFL franchises during a pandemic.

“Hard Knocks” already has a good theme song, but the OutKast track is the better choice this season.

CAMEO DURING RAMSEY RANT

Hearing Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey telling team beat reporters to “keep it pushing” for hounding him about his looming contract extension was hilarious.

But the best part was seeing Southern California News Group’s very own Kevin Modesti say, “Well, I’m staying,” after Ramsey stormed off.

Modesti didn’t have to wait long as Ramsey returned to answer more contract questions.

BOSA BOAT

Chargers center Mike Pouncey asked “Moneyman” Bosa if his signing bonus check had cleared.

Bosa, who signed a five-year, $135 million contract extension, said nope, and Pouncey responded with a four-letter swear word. Perhaps Pouncey is antsy to go deep sea fishing with Bosa.

Defensive end Melvin Ingram suggested Bosa buy a boat with his new money and asked him what he’ll name it.

“Double Swipe boat,” Bosa said.

That pass rushing technique made Bosa a very rich man.

HERBERT HIGHLIGHTS

Chargers players and coaches admired rookie quarterback Justin Herbert throwing footballs at nets.

An impressed Lynn folded his arms and said, “He covers so damn much ground,” while watching Herbert’s throwing session.

But no one was more amazed than undrafted rookie running back Darius Bradwell.

“I love his balls, bro,” Bradwell told teammate Gabe Nabers, who, of course, couldn’t resist responding like a high schooler. “You know what I (expletive) mean.”

Bradwell was so impressed that he approached Herbert after practice to commend his throwing session.

It was only a walk-through practice, but most Chargers fans were likely just as excited as Bradwell.

STARE OFF

A fiery Andrew Vollert couldn’t believe he was being released by Lynn and the Chargers.

“You gotta be (expletive) kidding me,” the tight end said in a loud tone. “I just worked my ass off and I know I can play.”

Vollert then stared at Lynn’s eyes as if he were making a big mistake before leaving his office.

Lynn went into general manager Tom Telesco’s office to share the interaction and delivered a zinger.

“Hold up now, you ain’t Antonio Gates now,” Lynn said. “I like his fire.”

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