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kdsburneraccount · 2 years

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So the NFLPA released report cards for each team's working conditions that graded them based on polls from players, which I found pretty interesting but also a little depressing. You can read it here: NFL Player Team Report Cards | NFLPA

More thoughts under the cut since I was initially going to put my thoughts in the tags but I thought reading it was quite eye-opening.

The Bengals being graded an F- for nutrition... I'm not that surprised considering what former players have said about the cafeteria, but it's still pretty embarrassing. And those comments were from the 2000s. Not providing dinner, vitamins, or supplements to players is a little questionable, especially if players are going to be spending long days at practice. And the fact that they’ve had breastfeeding mothers sit on the floor of public restrooms to take care of their kids is… concerning. (This is a Mike Brown moment. Unfortunately. The “no indoor practice facility” jokes looking more and more true by the moment. Like I get he’s pretty poor for an NFL owner but your team made the Super Bowl two seasons ago invest in the facilities more have an actual food service on hand cmon man why are you proving Carson Palmer right)

I wasn't surprised looking at the Falcons' grading of their strength coach (by and large, strength coaches were graded exceedingly positively by the players, except for the Falcons and the Ravens. In the case of the Ravens it appeared that they had a strength and conditioning coach who was pretty disliked by the players, and that coach did get fired, so at least the team's aware of it), mostly bc the Falcons aren't very good at tackling 😭 hopefully they make a change in that regard because man. At least they think Arthur Blank is ok.

Haven't watched mid-season Hard Knocks so didn't really have an idea of how the Cardinals' facilities were, but... wow. Overall second to last behind the Commanders (who are, y'know, dysfunctional), which kinda surprised me but at the same time the Cardinals are kind of low-key dysfunctional now I think about that. Making players pay for dinner out of their payroll... don't like that! Oh yeah and their training facilities are apparently a health and safety risk (fun).

It is interesting to note that the rankings of the facilities didn't necessarily correlate with team success: the top-ranked teams in this survey were the Vikings, Dolphins, Raiders, Texans, and Cowboys while the bottom-5 teams were the Commanders, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, and Jaguars (Bengals dodging this phew). This is probably because a lot of stuff that's surveyed here can impact team performance, but only if it's egregiously bad (ie Cardinals or Commanders). Was surprised by how the Chiefs graded out on their training staff considering they just won a Super Bowl but I would wager that's to do with Andy Reid and his whole system; works but isn't the nicest about it.

I thought that the way some categories were weighted were a little questionable, ie travel and treatment of families being abt the same level. Personally having younger players room with each other is whatever, not having a proper space for families is a bigger issue. But maybe that's me being unsympathetic (and there is the whole difference between a star player and practice squad guy to consider because their treatment would be different).

Overall, pretty good survey, I do hope it's able to enact some awareness bc the NLFPA isn't that strong, but they do seem to be doing their best as a union (working in the interest of players).

#the rare mildly serious post i make #im ngl when i saw the locker room grades i thought they meant like vibes and not the actual locker room they spend time in #and panicked abt that #will insert the caveat that it's kinda hard to extrapolate anything quantitative #bc there are categories that i feel shouldn't weigh that much but they are in the calculation of rankings #the dolphins had the concussion protocol situation yet were rated really high overall so hm #the saints doing generally well in the survey and then having an f- in the food department. you are in louisiana. ???#the grading did seem kinda arbitrary bc there was only the explanation of 'no dinner' whereas w the bengals #there was a litany of complaints abt the food service there #and yet they got the same grade #kinda spitballing here so feel free to add on and stuff #sports #nfl #nflpa #unions #working conditions

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frontproofmedia · 21 days

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A not-so-in-depth look at the NFL divisions

By: Joseph Correa

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A not-so-in-depth look at the NFL divisions…

It’s almost September; The air is thick with the aroma of sizzling brats and the sound of beer cans cracking open. You slip on your lucky jersey, the one with the ketchup stain from last year's nail-biter, and head out to meet your buddies for the season opener. This, my friends, is the magic of NFL kickoff.

As I dive headfirst into the 2024 season, let's journey through the NFL's eight divisions. Every team has a story from the titans of the gridiron to the underdogs nipping at their heels. So, grab your foam finger and settle in; we're about to break down the upcoming season in all its glory, heartbreak, and inevitable chaos.

AFC North: Where Legends Are Forged

If the AFC North were a person, it'd be that grizzled old-timer at the bar who's seen it all and has the scars to prove it. This division isn't just competitive; it's downright brutal.

Last year, all four teams finished with winning records – a feat unseen since bell-bottoms were unironically cool (that's 1970, for you youngsters). HBO's "Hard Knocks: In Season" couldn't resist the siren call of this division's drama. I mean, who could?

Let's start with the Baltimore Ravens, last year's AFC top seed. They've lost more defensive coaches than most teams have in total. But in Baltimore, that's Tuesday. John Harbaugh probably woke up, saw the exodus, shrugged, and went back to his coffee. That's just how they roll.

Then there's Cleveland. Ah, Cleveland. The Browns are all-in on Deshaun Watson like a gambler doubling down on a hard 16. Will 2024 be the year this high-stakes bet pays off, or will Browns fans be left drowning their sorrows in Great Lakes beer... again?

Don't forget Cincinnati. They're banking on a healthy Joe Burrow like he's the second coming of Joe Montana. If his throwing arm is as golden as his hair, the Bengals might just remind everyone why they were Super Bowl darlings not so long ago.

And Pittsburgh? Mike Tomlin's been there so long that he probably has his own parking spot at Heinz Field. Now he's taking on the Russell Wilson reclamation project. It's like watching a master chef try to turn a McDonald's burger into filet mignon. Can he pull it off? In this division, anything's possible.

Buckle up, folks. This 18-week slugfest is going to leave us all black and blue – and loving every minute of it.

NFC North: The Tides of Change

Remember when the NFC North was as predictable as a Wisconsin cheese curd tasting delicious? Those days are as gone as Brett Favre's Packers jersey.

The Detroit Lions, long the NFL's favorite punching bag, have suddenly grown teeth. Their journey from "lovable losers" to "holy cow, they might actually win something" feels like it was ripped straight from a Disney sports movie. The real question is: can Dan Campbell's knee-biting, coffee-chugging energy translate into sustained success, or will the Lions pull a Detroit and... well, Lion?

But don't write off the Packers just yet. Jordan Love spent three years marinating on the bench behind Aaron Rodgers. Now he's serving up wins like a short-order cook on a Sunday morning rush. This youth movement in Green Bay has Cheeseheads dreaming of another decade of dominance. It's as exciting as it is terrifying for the rest of the division.

Chicago Bears fans, I see you. I know you've been hurt before. But Caleb Williams might just be the real deal. He could be the franchise quarterback you've been waiting for since. Well, has Chicago ever had a truly great quarterback? This could be the year the Monsters of the Midway finally have some teeth on offense.

And the Vikings? They're in quarterback purgatory faster than you can say "J.J. McCarthy's meniscus." But hey, in the NFL, today's backup is tomorrow's MVP. Just ask Kurt Warner. Or Tom Brady. Or... you get the point.

AFC East: The King Is Dead, Long Live... Who, Exactly?

Pour one out for the New England Patriots dynasty, folks. We spent two decades penciling them in as division champs, and now the only sure bet is that they won't win it. It's like watching your high school bully become the guy who can't open pickle jars.

Now we've got a three-way dance between the Jets, Dolphins, and Bills that's wilder than a Buffalo tailgate party.

The Jets are the media darlings with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. But let's be real – this is a franchise so cursed, they could probably find a way to lose a bye week. If there's a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the Jets will find it. It's their superpower.

Miami's been flirting with success like a commitment-phobe on Tinder. Back-to-back playoff appearances are nice, but in the land Don Shula built, "almost" is just a fancy word for "not good enough." This could be the year they finally swipe right on a division title... or get left on read again.

And then there's Buffalo. They've shed more big names than a Hollywood rehab center, but counting out a team led by Josh Allen feels like betting against gravity. The man could probably throw a football over them mountains, as Uncle Rico would say.

This division is a powder keg of potential, ready to explode. Just don't stand too close when it does.

NFC East: America's (Drama) Team(s)

If the NFC East were a TV show, it'd be a soap opera with occasional football scenes. It's got more drama than a Real Housewives reunion and just as many unexpected twists.

The Eagles took a nosedive last season faster than a Philly fan's mood after a loss. But they seem poised for a comeback. In Philly, hope springs eternal... until about Week 3.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, Jerry Jones has put everyone on notice. The Cowboys are under more pressure than a submarine at the bottom of the ocean. It's "win now or... win now" in Big D.

The Giants are hoping Daniel Jones can justify his contract like I justify eating an entire pizza by myself – with a lot of mental gymnastics and a dash of blind optimism.

And then there's Washington, the wild card with a new QB (Jayden Daniels) and a new sheriff in town (Dan Quinn). They're like that mystery flavor of potato chip – could be delicious, could be disaster.

On paper, it's a two-horse race. But in the NFC East, paper is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

AFC South: Revenge of the Nerds, NFL Edition

Remember when we all thought the AFC South would be the NFL's punching bag in 2023? The Houston Texans looked at that prediction, said "Hold my beer," and proceeded to shock the world harder than a wet finger in an electrical socket.

DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud, and company didn't just win the division; they made a statement in the playoffs louder than a Texan saying "y'all." Now, with additions like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, Houston looks ready to build an empire faster than you can say "Remember the Alamo."

But don't count out the Jaguars. They're surely still stinging from last year's late-season collapse harder than a sunburn on a Florida beach. Trevor Lawrence and crew are out to prove that last year was the fluke, not the year before.

The Colts proved they could compete even without a star quarterback, which, in the modern NFL, is like trying to win a drag race in a golf cart. Impressive, if nothing else.

And Tennessee? New coach Brian Callahan might be the breath of fresh air they needed. Or he might be the air freshener trying to cover up last year's stink. Only time will tell.

NFC West: The 49ers and Their Supporting Cast

The 49ers have ruled this division with an iron fist for two years. They're like that one kid in school who's good at everything – you want to hate them, but damn, they make it look easy.

They're favorites to three-peat, but the rest of the division isn't exactly rolling over. The Rams bounced back last year like a rubber ball dropped from the top of the Hollywood sign. They've only gotten stronger, which should terrify everyone not wearing red and gold.

Seattle's hoping defensive guru Mike Macdonald can work more magic than Houdini. If he can make their defense disappear and reappear as a top unit, the Seahawks might just swoop in for the upset.

And don't sleep on Arizona. Kyler Murray's back, hopefully with a renewed focus on the playbook instead of Call of Duty. Add in explosive rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., and suddenly, the Cardinals look less like sacrificial birds and more like phoenixes rising from the ashes.

It might be San Francisco's division to lose, but don't be shocked if this becomes the most entertaining division in football. It's like a sitcom where the straight man is surrounded by chaos – and I'm here for it.

AFC West: Living in the Chiefs' Shadow

When you share a division with the Chiefs, life isn't just hard – it's like trying to run a marathon while carrying Patrick Mahomes on your back. Just ask the Chargers, Raiders, and Broncos how that feels.

Kansas City might not have cruised to the playoffs last year, but betting against them feels like playing Russian roulette with five loaded chambers. At this point, the Chiefs don't rebuild; they reload.

But here's the million-dollar question: can anyone challenge the ketchup king's throne?

Sean Payton's cooking something in Denver, and it smells a lot like hope... or maybe that's just the altitude. Antonio Pierce brings fresh energy to Las Vegas, turning the Raiders from a punchline into a potential contender.

And the Chargers? They've got Jim Harbaugh now. If anyone can exorcise the Chargers' demons, it's the khaki-wearing, milk-chugging quarterback whisperer himself.

The AFC West might not be the powerhouse it was hyped to be a couple of years ago, but calling it boring would be like calling Chiefs fans "kind of into football." That's a massive understatement.

NFC South: The Island of Misfit Teams

If you're looking for parity, you've come to the wrong place. The NFC South has become a testament to mediocrity, the participation trophy of NFL divisions.

Tampa Bay won the division in 2023 with a 9-8 record. That's like being the tallest kid in kindergarten – sure, you're at the top, but the competition isn't exactly fierce. And this was an improvement over their 8-9 division-winning record in 2022. At this rate, they might break .500 by 2025!

But don't despair, NFC South fans. There's hope on the horizon, and it's wearing red and black.

Atlanta's gone on a spending spree that would make a lottery winner blush. They've brought in Kirk Cousins, Matthew Judon, and Justin Simmons. It's like they're playing real-life Madden with the salary cap turned off.

New Orleans is rebooting its offense like a 90s sitcom getting a gritty modern remake. Will it work? Who knows, but it'll be fun to watch.

And Carolina... oh, Carolina. They've got nowhere to go but up under new coach Dave Canales. When your previous season is a dumpster fire, even a tire fire looks like progress.

It's a division of second chances and redemption stories. Who doesn't love a good comeback tale? Well, maybe fans of the other 28 teams, but who's counting?

In Conclusion: Buckle Up, Buttercup

From the gladiatorial arena of the AFC North to the redemption-seeking NFC South, the 2024 NFL season promises more twists and turns than a pretzel factory. We're in for a rollercoaster of emotions, breakout performances, and upsets so shocking they'll make your grandfather's dentures fall out.

Whether you're a die-hard fan who paints your face every Sunday or a casual observer who just likes to watch large men run into each other, there's a storyline here for everyone.

So grab your jersey (yes, even you, Jets fans), fire up the grill, and settle in. The next five months are going to be one hell of a ride. After all, in the NFL, the only certainty is uncertainty – and that's precisely why we can't look away.

Featured photo: Illustration by Bryce Wood

#NFL #NFL Power Rankings

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