In the opener of the sixth season, Jets players and coaches arrive in Cortland, N.Y., and settle in to their new quarters before beginning two-a-day drills. Included: head coach Rex Ryan sets an ambitious goal for the season; Darrelle Revis is a no-show; the first cuts are made; Marty Schottenheimer and Joe Namath visit camp.
Not exactly "the tribe has spoken," but the ceremonial torch-snuffing - in this case, following the cut player back to his room to retrieve his copy of the playbook - does pack a punch.
HBO shows rarely have obvious endings - isn't that right, David Chase? - but the signing of Darrelle Revis in the closing moments of the Jets' season of Hard Knocks was as close as they'll ever get.