Six Raiders ‘Hard Knocks' Storylines to Keep Eye on in HBO Series

The Raiders should be one of the most intriguing and entertaining teams in the 2019 season.

As such, the Silver and Black were tabbed to be this season's participant on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Television cameras will head with the Raiders to Napa where training camp kicks off Friday, and the first episode will premiere August 6.

With HBO already having started filming at quarterback Derek Carr's house, it's time to take a look at the most interesting storylines to watch for on "Hard Knocks." 

Derek Carr and Jon Gruden's relationship

Carr and Gruden were caught having tense exchanges on the sidelines during multiples games last season as the Raiders' offense struggled in Year 1 of the famed coach's return to Oakland.

While both Carr and Gruden maintain that their relationship is solid, it will be interesting to watch Carr when he's under the microscope in training camp. The Raiders reportedly flirted with the likes of Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins leading up to the NFL draft, but they decided to stick with Carr as the starter for the upcoming season. 

If Carr has a rough training camp, don't be surprised if cameras catch a few tense moments between the coach and QB, and more than a few F-bombs.

Showtime for AB

We know that Antonio Brown loves the camera and he'll no doubt want to put on a show for the crew. Brown is notoriously unpredictable, so it will be interesting to see how long he plays the good soldier role with the cameras rolling.

Oh, and there's the whole Vontaze Burfict addition that can't be overlooked. While both the receiver and linebacker claimed they squashed their beef, would a training camp altercation between the two shock anyone? No.

More importantly, how will AB arrive at camp? Helicopter? Riding a cheetah? The possibilities are endless.

Oakland finale

This is the last hurrah for the Raiders in the Bay Area, so it's certainly an important point in the series.

How will HBO cover the Raiders' departure from Oakland? Will they focus on the upcoming move to Vegas? Take a tour of Gruden's favorite Oakland restaurants? Maybe head to Redwood Regional Park with Carr and Brown? Or see if Burfict wants to take a trip to Children's Fairyland?

Yeah, not that one.

Welcome to the show

The Raiders had to hit a home run when it came to their draft, and they believe they did. The Silver and Black went heavy on winning pedigrees, drafting Clemson's Clelin Ferrell, Hunter Renfrow and Trayvon Mullen, as well as Alabama running back Josh Jacobs. The Raiders also selected tone-setting safety Johnathan Abram out of Mississippi State. 

All eyes will be on the rookies, many of whom will be given big roles right from the jump.

[RELATED: Five incredibly bold predictions for 2019 Raiders season]

Richie and Vontaze

I already mentioned Burfict and his supposedly squashed beef with AB. Potential issues with the star receiver aside, Burfict should be one of the must-see members of the Raiders' stay on "Hard Knocks" if only for the sheer entertainment value of wondering when or if he might go off-book.

The Raiders have another member of the roster that fits that description as well -- Richie Incognito. Incognito is suspended for the first two games of the regular season after pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct for threatening workers at the funeral home where Incognito's father's body was being held.

Expect the cameras to be on Incognito, Burfict and Brown a lot, and don't be surprised if one of them steals the show. And not it a good way.

Gruden's guys

Everyone loves Jon Gruden, or at least they love to watch him and listen to all the nicknames he gives his players.

The show has a prime opportunity to showcase the best mic'd up coach of all-time. Prepare to here "this guy" a lot.

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