Two of the three Florida-based NFL teams were ranked in the top five in the league in the just-completed annual NFL Players Association report cards, with the other ranking near the bottom.
The report grades teams based on treatment of families, home game field, food and dining area, nutritionist/dietician, locker room, training room, training staff, weight room, strength coaches, position coaches, coordinators, head coach, team travel, general manager, and team ownership.
The Miami Dolphins were No. 1 overall. The team received a grade of “A+” in weight room and strength coaches (led by Director of Player Performance Dave Puloka, the longest-tenured coach on staff), and earned an “A” in food/dining area, training room, training staff, defensive coordinator (Anthony Weaver, now with the Baltimore Ravens), and team travel. Five other areas were graded as an “A-,” and no category received a grade lower than a “B,” including head coach, the now-fired Mike McDonald.
The Jacksonville Jaguars also scored well, finishing with the fifth-best report card. The Jaguars received an “A+” for special teams coordinator Heath Farwell and an “A” for training room, weight room, strength coaches, defensive coordinator (Anthony Campanile), and team ownership. The rest of the Jaguars’ grades were “A-” or “B+,” with the exception of position coaches, who received a grade of “C.”
The other Florida team did not fare as well. Only three teams scored worse than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs received an “A” for strength coaches and “A-” for weight room, defensive coordinator, and general manager (Jason Licht). But poor grades, including home game field (F-), team travel (F), locker room (D-), team ownership (D), food/dining area (D), and treatment of families (D) pulled down the Buccaneers’ grade.
Only the Cleveland Browns (30th), Arizona Cardinals (31st), and Pittsburgh Steelers (32nd) finished below the Buccaneers in the league.
The survey results, obtained by ESPN, were based on responses from 1,759 players who were on a roster between Nov. 2 and Dec. 11.
The results of the survey were made public until this year when the NFL filed a grievance claiming the survey violated the collective bargaining agreement by “disparaging NFL clubs and individuals.”
Shortly after the report cards were leaked, the NFL issued a memo to the Players Association in opposition.
