Miami Dolphins' Hard Knocks to Debut August 7

The Miami Dolphins announced today that they will be the team featured on the 2012 edition of NFL Films and HBO's Hard Knocks. The series, returning for it's seventh season, has a five-episode run, with the fastest turnaround from filming to air in reality TV. The first show will debut at 10pm EDT on August 7. Each hour long episode will then air eaech Tuesday night, with an encore showing on the following Wednesday at 11pm EDT. The final episode will air September 4, the day before the NFL season starts.

"On the 40th anniversary of the greatest season in NFL history--Don Shula's perfect '72 Dolphins-- it is perfectly fitting that Hard Knocks is heading to Miami to capture the start of a new era for one of the league's proudest teams," says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. "After Hard Knocks' hiatus last summer, I know our team at NFL Films can't wait to get back on the field."

"We are excited that the premier company in sports filmmaking history, NFL FILMS, and HBO Sports have chosen the Miami Dolphins to appear on their award-winning series Hard Knocks," said Joe Philbin, head coach of the Miami Dolphins. "We are looking forward to connecting with our many fans across the country as the program chronicles our 2012 training camp. The series will highlight the outstanding men who comprise our team and represent our organization admirably, both on and off the field, as they compete for a coveted position on our roster.

"The Miami Dolphins have long been synonymous with success on the filed as evidenced by our five Super Bowl appearances and the only perfect season in NFL history," added Philbin. "That heritage serves as a constant reminder to our players and staff of the great legacy that has been left for us to uphold. Our team embraces that rich past and looks confidently to the future as we begin this journey back to the top of the NFL.

"All the decisions that have been made this off-season have had one guiding principle -- will it help our players and organization reach its full potential? This one is no different. We are convinced that our affiliation with NFL FILMS and HBO will allow football fans everywhere an opportunity to comprehend the significant sacrifices and demands that our players endure each day along their journey in training camp as a Miami Dolphin. We eagerly await the opening of training camp on July 26 and the 2012 NFL regular season that lies ahead of us."

Previous seasons of Hard Knocks featured the Baltimore Ravens (2001), the Dallas Cowboys (2002), the Kansas City Chiefs (2007), the Dallas Cowboys (2008), the Cincinnati Bengals (2009), and the New York Jets (2010). The Dolphins have several staff members who have been involved with Hard Knocks previously, to include general manager Jeff Ireland as a member of the Cowboys front office, and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, on the Bengaols coaching staff.

The Dolphins are an interesting team this summer as they transition from the ground-and-pound style of Tony Sparano to the fast break offense under first year coach Joe Philbin. The team also has a highly-visible three-way battle for the starting quarterback position, with incumbent Matt Moore, free agent veteran David Garrard, and first round draft pick Ryan Tannehill.