Blank fixes NFLPA Report Card concerns for Falcons, new facilities feel like "an official visit"

Saivion Mixson

•
Blank fixes NFLPA Report Card concerns for Falcons, new facilities feel like "an official visit" image

When this year's NFLPA Report Card came out, the Atlanta Falcons ranked a mediocre 25th of 32 NFL teams. Out of 11 possible key categories, the Falcons ranked below league average in five of them, including 29th in Locker Room, 30th in Head Coach and 32nd, dead last, in Strength Coaches.

CategoryGradeRank out of 32
Treatment of FamiliesC13th
Food/CafeteriaC20th
Nutritionist/DieticianA-4th
Locker RoomF29th
Training RoomB-14th
Training StaffA-5th
Weight RoomF31st
Strength CoachesF-32nd
Team TravelC16th
Head CoachC+30th
OwnershipA-9th

Owner Arthur Blank immediately got to work fixing these problems, firing the head strength coach, who created a "toxic environment" for the team, according to the report card. Head coach Arthur Smith was fired after it didn't feel like he was efficient with anyone's time on the field nor off it, according to the report card. So, that just left the 29th-ranked Locker Room and 31st-ranked weight room. Blank got to work.

Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge shared on his Instagram a first look at the new facilities that Blank has been building for the team and they look incredible. Safety Jessie Bates stated that looking at the improvements to the facilities "almost felt like an official visit..."

One of the main concerns from the report card was the Falcons' locker rooms simply weren't big enough. No worries now, Hodge's video looked to roll out a modern-looking space for them to not only sit comfortably in leather seats, but watch the multitude of TVs that hang above their lockers and the complementary cup holders that sit next to the seats.

Atlanta is doing a lot to change the native around this organization and that starts with changing the feel in the locker and weight rooms. The job is not yet finished, construction is not set to be done until mid-August, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. But this is an incredibly fun first step for the players and personnel that are looking for big things to happen in 2024.

Saivion Mixson

Saivion Mixson Photo

Saivion Mixson is a graduate of the University of North Florida’s Sports Management program. He was previously a staff writer/content creator for LastWordonSports, Around The Block Network, Fansided’s Blogging Dirty and USA Today’s Vikings Wire. Mixson resides in the Charlotte Metro area and is an avid Atlanta Falcons fan. You can find him on Twitter/X @MixsonS_NFL.