We’ve already gone over the strangely-low grade that New Orleans Saints players gave their team for its cafeteria and nutrition options, but that’s just one area they were surveyed about on the first-ever NFL Players Association team report cards.
Ultimately, the Saints have built a great place to work, with players rating them 10th-best out of the league’s 32 teams — putting an emphasis on quality travel arrangements for road games, an intelligent and resourceful training staff, and good facilities at the team headquarters in Metairie.
But let’s go under the hood on each of the eight categories and where Saints players ranked their workplace around the NFL:
Treatment of Families: B-plus
Grade: Tied-5th
Support of players’ families: 12th
Post-game gathering area: 5th
From the NFLPA report: Players rated the Saints highly for the family room and day care offered at the team facility.
Food Service/Nutrition: F-minus
Grade: Tied-30th
Quality of food: 29th
From the NFLPA report: “One of three teams that do not provide dinner; they offer a late lunch at 3pm when they practice at 12. 93% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.”
Weight Room: A-plus
Grade: Tied-9th
From the NFLPA report: “Quality of equipment is good, but the room itself is slightly small. 94% feel they have enough strength coaches.”
Strength Coaches: A
Grade: Tied-10th
From the NFLPA report: “Players believe that the strength coaches significantly add to their individual success. 100% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Ranked 1st).”
Training Room: B
Grade: Tied-8th
From the NFLPA report: “76% feel they have enough ATCs (3rd worst in the league), while 87% feel they have enough PTs.” 100% believe the steam room and sauna are large enough. 88% feel they have sufficient hot tub space, but 75% feel they have enough cold tub space.”
Training Staff: A-minus
Grade: Tied-15th
From the NFLPA report: “The players believe that the training staff significantly adds to their individual success. Most locker rooms rated their training staffs very high. Due to this reason, the Saints are tied for 15th but they still have a very high grade.”
Locker Room: A
Grade: Tied-5th
From the NFLPA report: “The players believe they have one of the nicest locker rooms in the NFL. 100% of players feel like they have enough space (1st).”
Team Travel: A-plus
Grade: Tied-1st
From the NFLPA report: “100% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out. No roommates. Many first-class seats for players.”
