HBO is back with the beginning of what appears to be a fantastic season of Hard Knocks in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys. The crew always works wonders with the access they have and the shots they’re able to get. It’s been perfectly balanced through one episode. There was just the right amount of vasectomy and F-bombs. But HBO started on a much more serious note.
Hard Knocks 2021 Episode 1 Recap: Dak Prescott’s Injury
The show started off like the beginning of an interrogation with The Joker. It was all about the scars. Prescott has many now in 2021 that he showed off for the Hard Knocks crew. But one, in particular, got the attention — the wishbone-shaped scar on his ankles from two different surgeries.
Prescott broke it in Week 5 of 2020. His season was over. Is there a better narrative for the 2021 edition of Hard Knocks? He appeared excited about the upcoming practices, and the cameras enjoyed the action. But the coaches decided to put Prescott on a pitch count, which didn’t please the Cowboys franchise quarterback.
That moment foreshadowed an eventual soreness in Prescott’s shoulder, which forced him out of throwing for quite some time. When head coach Mike McCarthy attempted to joke around, Prescott didn’t hide his annoyance towards not practicing. He had no time for McCarthy’s quip.
Dak & Zeke’s impressive friendship on display
We know two things: Prescott and Elliott are best friends, and Elliott can’t wrap a birthday present as well as he can manipulate a linebacker at the line of scrimmage. Elliott said he met Prescott at the NFL Combine, and they became best friends immediately.
They’re different dudes — Prescott and Elliott. The Cowboys quarterback can chop it up, but he’s much more buttoned-up than Elliott. Elliott’s personality resembles that of a surf instructor. He comes off as a laid-back comedian as if he’s “low-key faded.”
Their bond is strong. It’s evident that both are leaders on the football team, too. When Prescott was forced out of practice to begin rehab on his shoulder, he went to tell Elliott to rile up the troops. The Hard Knocks audio caught it perfectly.
Hard Knock 2021: The cameras like Ceedee Lamb and Micah Parsons
One has the cameras perusing around him as he flies around on the defensive side of the ball. The other has swag and says Parsons needs to get some for himself.
Parsons came in hot on the episode. He was giddy and extroverted, like a roided up Thad Castle. At one point, he was launching his helmet towards his teammates as he siked himself up.
One thing is apparent with Parsons on the field — the young man can fly! For a near 250-pound linebacker, Parsons possesses wide receiver speed. He put that on full display during the Hall of Fame Game, where he admitted to trying to make all of the plays.
When defensive coordinator Dan Quinn called Parsons to coach him up a little, Parsons practically begged for another series, which “DQ” firmly declined.
Lamb wasn’t heavily featured in episode one, but he cameoed plenty. His multi-colored hair made some fantastic appearances, and his personality shined.