Cleveland Browns: 5 surprises from third episode of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

The Cleveland Browns are three episodes deep into the HBO series, Hard Knocks, and these were the biggest surprises to come away from the latest episode.

Hard Knocks, featuring the Cleveland Browns, is now halfway through its run. With the Browns prepping for their third preseason game of the year, these were the biggest surprises to come out of the third episode.

Seriously staged

OK, Hard Knocks is a television show. It’s supposed to be entertaining and it’s the producer’s job to ensure viewers feel compelled to watch.

But more in particular this episode of Hard Knocks seemed to have many staged moments.

The episode jumped right into with Brad Paisley visiting camp and taking a tour of the RV with Baker Mayfield.

You’ve got to wonder, would Paisley be giving a pep talk if the cameras weren’t there?

It definitely seemed awkward, especially when moments before Mayfield suggested the man he was warming up with probably didn’t know any of Paisley’s songs.

This is no fault of Paisley, I mean, we’d all love to have the opportunity he had and there’s nothing wrong with the Brownies having some high-profile fans, especially when it’s genuine (Paisley said he’s been a fan since the Brian Sipe days).

Even the jousting between Todd Haley and Gregg Williams seemed force. Haley was upset about the defense touching the quarterback. Williams responded by telling the offense to block somebody.

Geesh, Williams knows you can’t have quarterbacks getting touched in practice. He used to be a head coach.

And then there’s the Carl Nassib and Todd Haley back-and-forth. The two have been watching the show and Carl hadn’t forgotten Haley making fun of his “old-man name.”

Speaking of Williams, there was more of the coach yelling at his defense in the meeting room where the squad looked to be reviewing tape from the first preseason game.

They allowed three points!

Williams just loves to yell, and for that, the camera loves him.