NFC South: Most surprising takeaways from 2024 NFLPA survey

The NFL Players Association revealed report cards for the league's 32 teams on Wednesday. Here are our main takeaways from the grades for the NFC South.

Atlanta Falcons: Players would be better off training on their own

A year after Atlanta was one of three teams to have its strength staff receive a poor grade, the bottom fell out this year with the league's only F- in the category. 

Falcons respondents to the survey blasted the organization's weight room and strength staff, particularly former head strength and conditioning coach Thomas Stallworth.

"The Falcons are the only team in the NFL where the majority of players say they would get better strength coaching offsite than from the team," wrote the NFLPA in its assessment, adding that the team ranks last in players who "feel like they have the equipment necessary to train effectively." 

More damning, players expressed "that the strength coaches detract from their overall success."

"Players describe it as a toxic environment," the survey continued, with "the issues directly related to the head strength coach."

Things should improve in 2024. This offseason, the team hired John Griffin as its strength and conditioning coach after he spent time with the Rams strength staff. 

Per the NFLPA, Rams "players feel that strength coaches significantly contribute to their success (10th overall)."

Carolina Panthers: Frank Reich was given a raw deal

Oh, look, another thing Panthers owner David Tepper got wrong. Reich was fired unceremoniously 11 games into his first season as Carolina's head coach, and the players' survey is indicative of the team's dissatisfaction with Tepper's decision. "97% of players feel former head coach Frank Reich was efficient with their time (seventh overall)," while he ranked fifth among coaches in willingness to listen to the locker room.

Despite the team's poor performance in 2023, Reich didn't lose the locker room. The franchise's turnover at head coach can't be good for quarterback Bryce Young's development, and the survey suggests Reich's firing came prematurely.

New Orleans Saints: The only place in the city where you can't get a good meal

New Orleans is widely viewed as one of the food meccas of the world, but you wouldn't know that from the helpings at the team's cafeteria. Survey respondents ripped the team's food for the second year in a row, placing the franchise 28th in "food taste" and 30th in "food freshness." 

Can someone get Emeril Lagasse on the phone? The Saints need to kick their food service up a notch.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Spirit Airlines of the NFL

Always check for hidden fees. The Bucs ranked last in the league in team travel as players bemoaned the team's travel schedule and that coaches take up the larger first-class seats with more leg room on team flights.

Worst of all is the team forcing younger players to pay roughly $1,750 if they want a private room on road trips during the season. The Glazer family, who owns the franchise, has a net worth of $10B. It should be beneath them to nickel-and-dime Bucs players.