Al Golden All Over The Hard Knocks Premiere

HBO’s hit NFL reality series “Hard Knocks” is in Miami this season, and head coach of The U. Al Golden was all over the premiere. Now, Golden did not make an appearance, and odds are he won’t. Miami’s head coach — the Hurricane version of Miami, that is — has more pressing matters than swinging by Dolphins training camp. But his football camp was represented when free agent Braylon Edwards met with Dolphin GM Jeff Ireland.

Edwards is not a Miami alum. He is a Michigan Man, and one helluva Michigan Man. He had three seasons of 1000-plus yards receiving and hauled in 39 career touchdowns. Imagine Edwards had been plying his trade at The U., playing in a receiving corps that included Andre Johnson and Kellen Winslow.

“Hard Knocks” episode one also opened with offensive lineman Derek Dennis, a former Golden pupil and Temple product. Dennis helped paved the way for the Owls’ seventh ranked nationally rushing offense.

The rookie was cut from Dolphin camp to make room for veteran Eric Steinbach, a victim of the unfortunate reality of the business. Dennis handled the news with class and professionalism truly fitting…well, a professional. And he has since landed with the New England Patriots, which gives Dennis an opportunity to prove to the Dolphins they made the wrong choice. Twice.