Saints improve on annual player report card
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Workplace conditions improved for the New Orleans Saints last year but players still have issues with their head coach and cafeteria food, according to their annual report card.
Why it matters: The rankings give fans an insight into the working conditions players endure or desire.
The big picture: The Saints' overall ranking improved, climbing to 12 out of 32, according to the NFL Players' Association. It was 19 the previous year.
- The organization invested in a new locker room, and it paid off with a higher ranking of A- from players.
- Owner Gayle Benson also improved her grade, earning an A this year compared to B+ last year.
Yes, but: The team ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of players' satisfaction with the head coach.
- The survey was done when Dennis Allen was in charge. Players felt Allen was "moderately receptive" to locker room feedback on the team's needs, ranking him 28 of 32 head coaches in the league.
- The team finished the season with interim head coach Darren Rizzi but has since hired Kellen Moore for job.
Family life: The Saints also ranked low in its treatment of families.
- While they provide daycare during home games, the Saints are one of 10 teams that do not offer a family room.
- They also ranked low on the number of family events organized by the team.
Zoom in: The lowest score went to the team's cafeteria, which has been a recent sticking point.
- Players gave low grades to the taste and freshness of the food offerings.
- The grades are expected to significantly improve next year, NFLPA said, since the team completed construction on a new cafeteria in December — after survey responses were collected.
Zoom out: The Miami Dolphins ranked first overall, while the Arizona Cardinals ranked last.
- The NFLPA, which is the players' union, says it conducts the annual survey to help raise standards across the league and help players make important career decisions.
Go deeper: Read the Saints' full report card.