Jets' 'Hard Knocks' Review: No Grade Lower than B+ for Four Episode 4 Segments

Next-to-last docuseries installment delivers on multiple fronts

The fourth episode of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets" brought heat and delivered on multiple fronts. 

The producers gave the viewers an informative glimpse at the inner working of the organization and team facility. They also showed the man behind the music — DJ Jon Blak.

Jets' fans finally got a closer look at the team's undrafted rookie receivers who have performed well throughout camp.

The show's most-memorable moment was arguably the dust-up between Aaron Rodgers and a New York Giants' defender in the exhibition game formerly known as the "Snoopy Bowl."

Here are four graded segments from Episode 4.

Show Open at Florham Park Facility

Grade: A 

Episode 4 opened with a behind-the-scenes look at a few of the components that are important to the NY Jets organization and the operation of the Florham Park facility. From equipment to cafeteria, all on-site employees play a role and indirectly contribute to the overall success of the team. There could have been more in-depth exploration into those areas, especially focusing on the employees and player relationships. The one employee that really sticks out is Vito Contento. The assistant equipment manager, a seemingly unsung and unappreciated hero, was introduced in the opening episode, but hasn't appeared again since. Hopefully, he gets time to shine in the season finale.

After seeing shots on the facilities and operations, we are brought into the quarterback meeting room where the players and coaches are fixated on Aaron Rodgers's shape-up. He emphatically stated that his beard was just cleaned up, with nothing further taken off and that he only allows certain people to handle his hair. Nathaniel Hackett then introduces the room, and viewers, to an old school home-shopping-network infomercial promoting his use of the product “Flowbee”. It was truly an iconic piece to reference, especially coming from a bald guy. 

We were then brought out to practice where you can hear playful banter between Rodgers and Zach Wilson, per usual with Rodgers poking fun at Wilson’s headband again, and Wilson taking a shot at Rodgers for using wired headphones as opposed to a more technologically advanced option. Wilson joked saying Rodgers couldn’t afford Air Pods after that contract re-work, but Rodgers quickly responded stating that he is saving his brain from harmful EMF emissions. It was the most pure and organic Rodgers interaction of the entire series to date.

DJ Jon Blak and Skee Yee 

Grade: A+ 

One of the more viral moments from this episode revolved around DJ Jon Blak setting up and playing at practice. You can reference a previous article highlighting DJ Jon Black here, where he stated that he used to rarely get requests, but now the younger guys are not shy to request songs. The song he played as the Jets were getting ready to practice, "Skee Yee" by Sexyy Red had the team, and coaches for that matter, all the way turned up. You hear Coach Saleh exclaim, “This is my jam right here dawg, you don’t know nothing about this [expletive].” This was a segment for the culture and boy did it deliver.

This segment transitioned into highlighting the two hotshot undrafted rookies and their relationship between Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson. These two met at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl where they got to know each other throughout the practice week, kicking off their competitive relationship. They turned everything they did into a one-on-one battle, which makes for a great dynamic amongst young rookies trying to claim a roster spot. Brownlee, out of Southern Mississippi had the catch of camp, and Gipson, a small but quick slot receiver was shown being mentored and encouraged by Rodgers and Cobb to stay consistent.

Jets' Team DJ Jon Blak / Gladstone Harris

Preseason Game No. 4 (Jets at Giants)

Grade: A

One of the best Rodgers moments came early in the Jets at Giants preseason game 4 for the Jets. Giants Linebacker Jihad Ward was seen executing a late his on the Veteran Jets QB. “That’s [expletive, expletive], bro,” Rodgers said to Ward. “What the [expletive] is that? Show some respect. C’mon, what the [expletive] is that? Five damn steps. I don’t even know who you are.’” Rodgers said. Ward responded by saying, “I don’t know who you are, bro. I don’t know who the [expletive] you are!” to which Rodgers responded, ‘[expletive].”

Prior to that play, Randall Cobb got a flag for an illegal block where it was learned later that Giants' Bobby McCain suffered a concussion from the hit. After that play, the producers cut to Cobb’s wife explaining to their kids that they will probably get a fine here in the mail soon. They then panned to Rodgers in the huddle poking fun at Cobb saying it isn’t 2014, and questioning what he was doing. The Ward shove on Rodgers was apparently in retaliation for Cobbs hit on McClain. If Rodgers didn’t know 29-year-old Ward before, he does now, but the high emotions of the exchange provided good entertainment value.

This game segment was wrapped up by showing Rodgers walking off the field referring to MetLife Stadium as JetLife Stadium, not once, but multiple times. Rodgers is feeling comfortable in his new home and really exuberating big Jets energy that is contagious to his teammates, coaches, fans and viewers alike.

Kapp Cut and Ending

Grade: B+ 

We all fell in love with Jerome Kapp’s Rookie performance of Eminem in episode 3, and they did a great job of highlighting his work ethic in episode 4. The D2 undrafted rookie out of Kutztown was always first in, and last out, seizing this opportunity to have been invited to camp and a shot at a job. Unfortunately, the episode ends with Kapp getting cut and him collecting all of his belongings and saying goodbye. I do anticipate the finale to dramatically highlight the difficulties in those decisions for all of the players that were on the bubble.

I hope we get to see more of the behind-the-scenes content from within the organization, and even the cafeteria. It has been widely documented that every day Rodgers sits with someone new at lunch. The producers could do viewers a solid by showcasing those conversations and the relationship-building that happens. Outside of more Vito Contento, that would be the A+ entertainment we need. 

Although I wish this were a nine-episode season, I am looking forward to a funny, thoughtful, and dramatic season finale of "Hard Knocks" next Tuesday. 

READ MORE:

Three Segments Jets' Fans Deserve to See in 'Hard Knocks' Episode 4

'Hard Knocks' Review: Dishing out High Grades All-Around for Episode 3

Three Things Viewers Need to See in 'Hard Knocks' Episode 3

'Hard Knocks' Review: Grading Key Moments from Episode 2

'Hard Knocks' Viewing Schedule

Inside the 'Hard Knocks' Effect that Featured Teams Face