In the wake of the NFL Players Association report cards released Wednesday, much of the focus has turned to the Baltimore Ravens strength staff, who received an ‘F-‘ grade. The Ravens were only one of five teams — Falcons, Jets, Patriots, and Giants being the others — to receive less than an ‘A-‘ in the category. The survey was completed by 1,300 current players.
MORE: NFLPA team report cards, explained: Vikings & Dolphins praised, Commanders & Cardinals blasted
The staff, led previously by Steve Saunders since 2016, has been the subject of debate in Baltimore and often criticized by the players. Since 2009, Ravens players have missed the third most games in the league due to injury, according to Man Games Lost. It also comes just a few years removed from a COVID-19 outbreak that saw 20 players at one point test positive for the virus.
NFL injuries since 2009. Number of games missed by injured players can help tell a story.
What do you see?https://t.co/IRsx1Ez4cT pic.twitter.com/FEYsNpYpYw
— Man Games Lost NFL (@ManGamesLostNFL) January 23, 2023
Former players Matthew Judon, Derek Wolfe, and others took to social media to voice their displeasure with the staff they say should’ve been fired long ago.
Here are the Ravens grades according to the NFLPA. This survey was orchestrated by the players #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/vb7qd6q2Zg
— Cordell Woodland (@CordellWoodland) March 1, 2023
I was def a victim of the strength coaches. Two Labrums and multiple pec strains https://t.co/0tRnrfmKWR
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) March 2, 2023
5 months post ACL. Unsuccessfully doing the same leg workouts as people with healthy knees never sits right with me.! Ruined me https://t.co/n1cRtF9jxi
— Bam Bradley4⃣ (@Bdbam4_) March 2, 2023
Been told them to fire him https://t.co/2hBt9Q9fLv
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) March 2, 2023
Crazy part is that dog went and said I wasn’t working hard and I was being rebellious. I’m like I ain’t tryna get hurt again.
— Carl Davis Jr. (@Trenchwork94) March 2, 2023
Told you the Ravens strength staff was 🗑️ pic.twitter.com/vuNyTMItoG
— Derek Wolfe (@Derek_Wolfe95) March 1, 2023
MORE: Rashod Bateman calls out Ravens GM: ‘Stop pointing the finger at us’
In addition to the strength staff, the front office has come under fire for comments made by general manager Eric DeCosta about the team’s struggle to find top tier receivers.
Former first round pick Rashod Bateman didn’t take kindly to the comments by DeCosta, while also adding in another shot at the training staff in a tweet that has since been deleted.
Rashod Bateman calls out his GM pic.twitter.com/cpFk57zken
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 2, 2023
Free agent running back Mike Davis, who spent eight games in Baltimore in 2022, backed up Bateman in a tweet of his own.
Rashod Bateman calls out his GM pic.twitter.com/cpFk57zken
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 2, 2023
The Ravens parted ways with Saunders on Feb. 22, naming Scott Elliott the new strength and conditioning coach.