Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens players give team worst grade possible in this area

By Cory Kefauver | Last updated 3/2/23

The Baltimore Ravens didn't receive uplifting feedback from their players regarding their strength and conditioning staff.

In the NFL Players Association team report cards released Wednesday, Baltimore was the only team to receive an F-minus for its strength and conditioning staff.

Strength and conditioning are a vital part of injury prevention and player improvement.

Over the past two seasons, the Ravens have endured injuries to many key starters, Star QB Lamar Jackson missed long stretches in 2021 and 2022 with injuries. All-Pro LT Ronnie Stanley and WR Rashod Bateman also missed significant stretches.

It is near impossible for a team to live up to Super Bowl aspirations while missing important starters, especially late in a season. Teams look to strength and conditioning coaches to prepare players physically for the toll the season takes.

The failing grade was far below the rest of Baltimore's scores.

Earlier this month, Baltimore fired strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders after a tumultuous tenure.

In 2021, 25 Ravens landed on injured reserve. That season, Saunders was subject of criticism by players, including former Raven Matthew Judon.

Love you keep your head up. #firesteve
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) November 8, 2021

The Ravens promoted Scott Elliott to the position after Saunders' dismissal.

In the survey, NFL players rated their teams in eight areas, including the quality of team facilities, staff, food, travel accommodations and treatment of families. In all, 1,300 players were surveyed as part of the initiative meant to help NFL free agents determine their next stop.

According to NFLPA President JC Tretter, the report cards are their way of trying to improve working conditions for NFL players.

"Our goal as a union is always to bring value to our members, and getting feedback from them is a classic union tool to get a better understanding of what membership feels about certain issues," Tretter said in a statement.

Time will tell if Baltimore's feedback will help it reach the root of the problem. Another injury-riddled season could point to more systemic failures in Baltimore's training department rather than a bad coach.

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