Grading the upgrades: A walk through the Falcons’ renovated Flowery Branch facilities

The Falcons moved into their training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., back in August 2000, almost a quarter-century ago. The facility has undergone some upgrades here and there, but those changes were nothing like the massive overhaul the facility saw this offseason.

Following the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the NFL Players Association released grades for each team covering several categories, from facilities to food to treatment of players’ families. Falcons president Greg Beadles said during the tour that the NFLPA grades were not a primary driver behind these upgrades, but did acknowledge that better facilities and amenities should make it a little easier to bring in top free agency targets.

I’m going to address the graded elements where the Falcons made upgrades this offseason, as well as a couple that didn’t appear in the NFLPA grades, and I’ll give the updates my own grade.

Food service/nutrition

2023 grade: C-
2024 grade: C

The Falcons created a brand-new cafeteria, and it’s really nice. There are a ton of meal options for players to choose from — Greek salad with chickpeas jumped out at me because a) I love Greek salads and chickpeas and b) I made the mistake of not eating before taking this tour so I was a little hangry. It’s nice and spacious, and the decor is very cool — images of trading cards for iconic Falcons players.

After the 2022 season, players’ primary complaint was a lack of space in the cafeteria, with 50% of the Falcons on that roster highlighting that specific issue. According to the grades, players used to opt to eat at their lockers instead of scrunching into the cafeteria — and they didn’t like the locker room either. Last year, the biggest concern was a lack of options. This upgrade checks both of those boxes. They’ve also added two small walk-up cafes for players to have easy access to nutrition post-practice and in the weight room.

I’ve been super impressed with the food the team has served to the media so far, and I’m picky, so I have to assume the food served to the team is just as tasty. This upgrade checks all of the boxes the players wanted to see improved over the past couple of years.

My grade: A- (the minus is because I would like to be able to eat in there too, that Greek salad looked great)

Locker room

2023 grade: D
2024 grade: F

The last time I was covering the Falcons in Flowery Branch regularly (the 2019 season), the locker room had been minimally upgraded and it was much nicer than it was when I first started on this beat in 2014. But this new locker room? Wow.

The NFLPA grades on the old locker room would have gotten my ass grounded indefinitely in high school. Players stated that it wasn’t large enough, the ventilation wasn’t good, and that it felt old and needed a renovation. In the words of Taylor Swift, [they] knew what they wanted, and boy they got it.

Each locker has been thoughtfully designed for the comfort, convenience, and even the safety of players. There’s air flow built into different compartments to dry out players’ shoulder pads, helmets, gloves, wristbands, etc. after a tough practice in the scorching Georgia sun. The seats at each locker are cushy. There aren’t any ping pong tables, but there are two seating areas with huge TVs and massive leather sectionals as a hang-out spot for players.

Also, there’s a barber shop literally right outside the locker room. I am going to give this wall inside the barber shop its own grade; it gets an A+++. I want it in my house.

Weight room

2023 grade: C-
2024 grade: F

Look, I’m just going to copy and paste the summary of player comments on the locker room from last year’s grades to give you an idea of how bad it was.

• The players feel that the equipment itself is below average (31st overall)
• Only 77% of players feel like they have the equipment necessary to train effectively (32nd overall)
• The players feel they do not have enough space in their weight room (31st overall)
• Only 80% of players feel like they have enough strength coaches, which is the lowest in the league (32nd overall)
• The Falcons are the only team in the NFL where the majority of players say they would get better strength coaching care offsite than from the team
• A majority of Falcons believe their facility is no better than offsite locations where they could train. Only five other teams in the league have similarly poor impressions of their own weight room. The players have a long list of equipment that they feel any weight room should have that this weight room does not.

The good news is that the Falcons absolutely addressed these concerns, and they should be resolved with these upgrades. The new weight room is massive, with free weights and strength training machines on the first level and it looked like cardio machines up on the second level (we didn’t go up there, so I’m just basing that on what I could see.)

The machines downstairs are fitted with two different pieces of tech; one that measures things like rep speed and evaluates the player’s performance during the workout, and another that gives the player their prescribed workout for the day. I’ve been in the old locker room, and the tiny gym I was going to at the time that had three treadmills, two ellipticals, one old exercise bike and like 10 different strength training machines was honestly almost on par with it. This weight room upgrade is stunning and the modifications definitely addressed player concerns.

My grade: A

Ring of Honor

This isn’t something that showed up on the NFLPA grade cards, but it’s awesome, so I have to share it. The Falcons dedicated a hallway between the locker room and strength training room to celebrating players who have made it into the Ring of Honor. Behold.

My grade: A+++++++++++++

Equipment room

Again, not something that was graded as part of the NFLPA’s efforts, but the overhaul is mind-blowing. They have so much space. Longtime equipment manager Jimmy Hay told me that this setup has made it possible for them to do their jobs more efficiently. This motorized storage system also creates a lot more space for them to do their jobs.

My grade: A+, I want it in my closet

A few more shots from the equipment area. The helmet room would be our own Evan Birchfield’s favorite spot.

My grade: A+

Will these upgrades translate to better performance on the field? We’ll see. But studies show that people who feel appreciated and respected in their jobs tend to perform better at work, and these upgrades do demonstrate that the Falcons care about the well being and wishes of players and staff. Players now have more food choices, more space, and a better environment to train, regroup and relax when they’re not out on the practice field.

We’ll have to wait and see what next year’s NFLPA grades hold for the Falcons, but with these upgrades, I’ll be shocked if we don’t see a massive improvement.