In the movie ‘Remember the Titans’ there’s a scene early where Julius Campbell is speaking to Gerry Bertier, it’s a critical, tone-setting moment for the rest of the film.

“Attitude reflects leadership, captain,” Campbell told him. If you’ve seen it, you know the rest is history with the help of a few more bonding moments.

Right now, Patriots players have loudly said the same thing to Robert and Jonathan Kraft.

After finishing tied for 25th in 2023 with a D+ grade from players in the annual NFLPA report card, the Krafts received another D+ with the team finishing 31st out of the 32 organizations in the 2024 edition that was released on Wednesday.

Players gave the treatment of families an F- and the weight room an F. Team travel (D) is also a major issue despite having a team plane. Food/cafeteria, nutritionist/dietician, training staff and head coach all received a B- which is a credit to Mayo.

The locker room – which isn’t all that big when you consider the size of the human beings walking around in it – got a C- as did the strength coaches. A C grade for the training room rounded out the ugly truth from the players’ point of view in Foxborough.

The most glaring notes are the F- given to treatment of families, which is ultimately inexcusable given the  accommodations that can be made. According to the survey, the Patriots are one of 12 teams without a family room on game days and one of seven teams that don’t have a day care for players’ children on game day. They’re also just one of four that don’t offer both.

Travel issues were also pretty embarrassing, with players pointing out that the team plane still has ashtrays yet doesn’t have Wi-Fi.

While not a terrible number, only 77% of the team feels like the locker room is big enough for the team. The majority (93%) did say they have enough room individually, which was actually 7th in the league. As far as the training room, most (80%) believe there’s enough full-time trainers, but the survey points out players feel like there’s not enough treatment options and a lack of equipment.

The weight room – often times a sanctuary for players – was ranked dead last in the NFL. No sugar coating this one, it’s simply out of date.

Now, in fairness, there is a new facility with a locker room, weight room and cafeteria going up just outside of the practice fields down at the far end opposite the lighthouse at Gillette. Unfortunately for now, this is something the Krafts will have to wear again along with the Mayo debacle.

The good news is that Vrabel has the willingness to tell guys to shut up and focus on what’s important, but the inability to keep up with modern amenities that even colleges are easily providing has helped contribute to the terrible product on the field for the last handful of years.

With the new facility not opening until 2026, you’ve got to think (hope) ownership makes some of the necessary childcare and equipment changes, especially while trying to pursue top-tier free agents.