To many football fans surprise, the Atlanta Falcons have been chosen as the team to be shown on the HBO series known as "Hard Knocks."

"Hard Knocks" has been moderately successful amongst its viewers since its debut in 2001. "Hard Knocks" shows the team in August when they are preparing for preseason games. Position battles and quarterback controversy is usually what fans love to see. The series also shows the personal lives of many of the players and the rookies who were just drafted.

Other teams who have been on Hard Knocks include:

2001: Baltimore Ravens

2002: Dallas Cowboys

2007: Kansas City Chiefs

2008: Dallas Cowboys

2009: Cincinnati Bengals

2010: New York Jets

2012: Miami Dolphins

2013: Cincinnati Bengals

The show was canceled from 2003-2006, and in 2011, no team showed enough interest to appear on the series.

The Bengals and the Cowboys are the only teams to appear on the series twice, which comes as no surprise. Those teams have been involved in multiple controversies and love the air time. Similarly, the Jets (owned by Woody Johnson) followed the same path. Rex Ryan has always been media lightning rod since he arrived in New York.

Many people may find the Falcons boring. The team doesn't have a quarterback controversy, they're not an elite team, and they don't have many compelling players. The favorites to get this year's series were the Cleveland Browns because of the polarizing player that is Johnny Manziel. However, head coach Mike Pettine turned that down. That was a good decision by Pettine, considering it's his first year with the team and it could have a negative effect.

Atlanta is not the biggest NFL market, but there are still many story lines heading into this year. Can the team improve their 4-12 season? Is Mike Smith on the hot seat? How will they do against the New Orleans Saints aerial assault come week one? How will the No. 6 overall pick Jake Matthews do?

The Falcons are the first NFC South team to be featured on the show, so this will add some change for viewers. The Falcons are also the first NFC team to be on since the Cowboys in 2004 and only the second NFC overall.

The Falcons are led by Mike Brown, who has coached the team for six seasons, and quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been the starter for just as long. It's unlikely the two will allow this to become a distraction heading into next season.

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