Baltimore Ravens Report Card 2023

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Overview

The Baltimore Ravens come in ranked 17^th overall in our team guide. The main areas of concern, stemming from player respondents' opinions, are a desire to improve the quality of the food, weight room equipment, recovery resources and strength staff.

At the core of these issues is the team’s former head strength coach, Steve Saunders (recently parted ways with); assessment of him by player respondents was markedly negative. Only 38% of player respondents felt that they receive an individualized plan for their strength training, and many complained that the training room is understaffed.

The players do believe in Ravens owner Steve Biscotti’s commitment to high quality, as 100% of them believe he is willing to invest in upgrades to the facility.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 17th

• They offer a family room
• Daycare is provided

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 26th

Quality of food: Ranked 17th

• All three meals provided

98% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

Players mentioned a lack of space and lack of quality equipment.

• 90% feel they have enough strength coaches

30 of the 32 teams in the NFL gave their strength coaches fairly positive reviews. Baltimore was one of the two teams that fell well below the rest, and they were even significantly below the second-worst team.

Players do not feel like the strength staff helps them be more successful. The team recently parted ways with Head Strength Coach Steve Saunders, so we will be interested to see if this area improves in his absence.

• 36% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Ranked 32nd)

Players feel there could be more equipment and resources to help them get healthier quicker.

Staffing

• 84% feel they have enough ATCs
• 67% feel they have enough PTs (7^th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (90% feel it is big enough)
• There is a sauna (89% feel it is big enough)

Tubs

• 71% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 67% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

The players feel that the training staff moderately adds to their success. Most teams rated their training staffs positively, which is why they come in ranked tied for 22nd. But the Ravens players gave their staff relatively positive marks overall, which is why the overall grade is still high.

The players feel like they have one of the best locker rooms in the league.

• 94% of players feel like they have enough space (Ranked 12^th)

• 93% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• No roommates
• A lot of first-class seats offered to players

During the last two years, the Board of Representatives has discussed ways to improve the information available to free agents making decisions about their prospective Clubs and decided to pursue the development of “Club Report Cards” that, while not a scientific survey, would report the quantitative and qualitative opinions of NFL players about their respective Clubs.

In connection with that goal, questions were sent to every player on the 2022 team rosters asking them their opinions about their Club’s facilities, certain Club personnel/coaches, and other work-related categories, such as Club’s treatment of families and team travel (players were not asked questions about any Club other than their 2022 employer). As a result of the confidential questionnaire, 1,300 players responded. There then was a qualitative follow up by the union, which resulted in the following “report card.”

The questions called for both quantitative and qualitative answers; for example: “Grade your weight room with 1 reflecting best rating, 5 reflecting lowest rating” and “What would you change about your weight room?” The numerical ratings for each sub-category of questions were tallied and averaged. The questionnaire also sought to elicit the opinion of players on some issues that have a direct impact on the quality of life for NFL players. These qualitative responses, which are inherently subjective, were reviewed and evaluated by the union and then factored into providing an overall rating that was intended to reflect player opinions.

Based upon all of this information, the rankings from Club to Club were determined by comparing how each Club graded in each category.

Finally, the Club Report Card includes an overview, which is a summary of the players’ responses and opinions about the Club workplace and specifically about how players perceived Clubs’ commitment to workplace issues.