CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

Editor's note: Sure, I watched Hard Knocks last night, but I thought it might be interesting to get the perspective of someone fresh on it,  someone not as familiar with the Bengals and looking at the team as most of America is seeing them every Wednesday for the next couple of weeks. For this exercise, my friend Keeli Garza will be watching each episode and offering her commentary. Let's face it -- I'm a 'Hard Knocks' veteran. Not just because I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan, but also because I was a very important part of last year's 'Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys.' You probably will remember me as 'Gal with Recorder at the Pacman Jones Press Conference.' I know my parents and immediate family do. For a football team, what 'Hard Knocks' means is a ton of cameras, cords and non-essential people standing around watching your every move, every word and every ridiculous performance. For an outsider, 'Hard Knocks' provides an enjoyable insight to a team you might not normally care about. So, to kick off my weekly review of 'Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals", here are a few of my observations. * The guys who prep NFL fields, and practice fields, get no love. Seriously. * A party is not a party unless a Margarita machine is involved. Marvin Lewis knows this. * Question. Did Cincinnati just sign Roy Williams because he had 'Hard Knocks' experience? It's proven the guy can't play. He was rolled by a rookie, and then pounded by more players in the 'Oklahoma Drill', a drill he hates but is familiar with ... you know, as a former Sooner. Roy is still afraid to tackle legally -- he probably heard the horse-collar was still legal in the AFC. However, it was good to see that Roy still knows how to hit the buffet and plans to make the most of his free dining. * Players have to pay to rent a TV. Raise your hand if you think this is awesome ... that's what I thought. I want my rookies focusing on the playbook, not on the latest Grand Theft Auto game or porn they brought from home. * Mike Brown. Aye dios mio. And Dallas Cowboys fans thought head coach Wade Phillips was terrible last year ... at least he can be fired. * And where was Mike Zimmer? Another colorful 'Hard Knocks' veteran, the Zim was nowhere to be seen. * Want a 'Team Pressley' t-shirt? I'm selling them on Cafe Press. Seriously -- this guy is the story HKs loves. He's this season's Pete Hunter. This season's Danny Amendola. He may not make the team (but, after cutting a fullback, he just might), but he'll at least be on the practice squad. * Ohhhh no, OchoCinco. I've spent years dealing with Terrell Owens, and Ocho, you are NO T.O. * Tank Math -- "Would you fight if you're 4-11?" Tank Johnson asks a ballboy. Two things should be noted here: 1) This conversation with a Bengals ballboy is more than the Tank had with his Cowboys counterparts last season; 2) Tank obviously thinks the Bengals played a 'special' schedule. My thoughts as a football fan, however, are optimistic. I loved the 'old school' team-building drills to start the show. The tire toss. Tug-o-war. All of it. It showcases your individual strength, but also helps a team that clearly lacks and identity find it's "link." And for those afraid of the injuries always shown on the show ... get used to it. They always highlight injuries -- good, bad or indifferent. I, for one, am excited to follow the Bengals now. Haven't watched 'Hard Knocks'? Don't have a plan to watch the show? I'll just channel my inner OchoCinco and say 'Child, please' Keeli Garza is a former sports journalist based in Fort Worth, Texas. She loves the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech and knows a ton about sports ... for a girl.