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May 8--IRVING -- Jerry Jones said the questions regarding NFL Films documenting Cowboys training camp for the HBO reality series, Hard Knocks, are legitimate.
But the Cowboys owner said it won't hurt his team in its goal of trying to win a Super Bowl.
On Wednesday, HBO announced plans to feature the Cowboys on its fourth installment of the Hard Knocks series, starting Aug. 6. The weekly show will end Sept. 3. NFL Films will send a 24-person crew to Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif.
Jones said having numerous cameras around training camp, with the addition of fans coming to practices, will help the team perform at a high level.
"I've always believed that," Jones said.
Those around the project believe the distractions of having almost every moment in a meeting room, practice field and dorm room videotaped isn't a concern.
"People always talk about the Cowboys anyway, so it won't be any different," quarterback Tony Romo said of possible distractions.
Steve Sabol, president of NFL Films, said the Cowboys' goal for a Super Bowl title and their "America's Team" label made them attractive to the show.
"It's the No. 1 flagship franchise," Sabol said of the Cowboys. "It was our first choice, plus they're a Super Bowl contender. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't consider them."
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg is mindful of the diverse personalities on the Cowboys and made a joke in his opening remarks about following the team from Oxnard to Cabo San Lucas.
But Greenburg said, "You're not going to see a soap opera."
The Cowboys first appeared on Hard Knocks in 2002 and finished that season 5-11. Following that season, Dave Campo was fired as head coach, but Jones dismissed any correlation between the show and the Cowboys' poor record.
