1. Inside Look at the Falcons: Of course, the whole point of the series is to give an all-access look at the featured team, but for fans, the opportunity to see how the Falcons run internally will be interesting. From GM Thomas Dimitroff and his scouting staff to Mike Smith and his coaching staff, getting an inside look at what things are really like around Flowery Branch will be fun to watch.
2. Roddy White, Open Mic: He's one of the most entertaining personalities in the Falcons locker room and he could be an even bigger star when Hard Knocks is over. White has a charismatic, no-nonsense way about him, and he approaches the game like a wide-eyed kid. A closer look at his love for the game of football and maybe even a few one-liners here and there could help propel his national attention.
3. Tice, Cox and Toughness: Position coaches are often featured during Hard Knocks episodes and new line coaches Mike Tice and Bryan Cox could end up getting some attention as the Falcons move toward being a tougher team. The two are spirited in practice and bring a level of intensity and discipline that could make for good viewing.
4. Ryan's Work Ethic: There's no doubt that the quarterback position will be an area of focus for the Hard Knocks crew as the Falcons feature one of the best in the NFL. Matt Ryan's work ethic has been lauded for years, but we've only heard tell of what his schedule is actually like. Perhaps Hard Knocks will give a glimpse at what Ryan's routine, discipline and work ethic looks like during an average camp day.
5. Trufant and Alford's Relationship: They've become fast friends and as Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford enter Year 2 as the likely starters at the cornerback positions, their relationship on and off the field could be something to keep an eye on. They're practically inseparable, as you may notice in the future.
6. Underdog Starr?: Hard Knocks usually features a player vying for a roster spot that has a particularly interesting story. My guess for that role? Seventh-round pick Tyler Starr. He has the look with the tattoos and long blond hair, but he also plays with a lot of passion and has a strong background story. He played at a small school — South Dakota — and he's raising a three-year old son with his fiance.
7. Other Personalities to Watch: The Falcons roster is loaded with fun personalities and here's hoping Hard Knocks gets a chance to feature some. Some of my favorites for the show: Matt Bryant (dry sense of humor and always has a good story to tell), Harry Douglas (vocal and funny), Joe Hawley (hilarious), Jonathan Massaquoi (quite chatty) and William Moore ("W.A.R.").
