INDIANAPOLIS — Of the NFL’s 32 teams, 27 had at least an A- strength staff last year, according to a survey from the NFL Players Association. Only one, however, received the lowest grade possible: the Ravens got an F-.
Its flunking grade — surprising given the club’s typically applauded culture — prompted some former Ravens players to criticize the team’s former strength coach, Steve Saunders, who was named in the report released Wednesday. Saunders, who had been with the team since 2016, was replaced last week by assistant strength coach Scott Elliott.
“At the core of these issues is the team’s former head strength coach, Steve Saunders (recently parted with); assessment of him by player respondents was markedly negative,” the NFLPA’s report stated.
