Stats from solitaire league

[Matt-Jacksonville]

I have some interest in this, but would need to see more data and I do think we need to have something in place to prevent TOO wide a gap. Hey wait a min....maybe we could do the following:

1) Increase the ratings gaps as presented
2) Do away with retirements and AA
3) Reinstate the Salary cap to prevent teams from hoarding

With the wider gaps I think there would be more incentives to trading with an effective cap system.

[James-Eagles]

I thing XFBS showed that lower rating and a wider spread didn't make that much of a difference. It still came down to coaching. I really think it is jumping through hoop to jump through hoops.

[James-Eagles]

The real test would be for rich to run game plans from a week in the PNFL. IF he still had say the PPP from week 17 and see if the results are different with the new attributes. If it changes anything then go for it. The problem is the test had too many variables.
1. New Attributes
2.VPNFL PPP
3 Random vs Targets game plans

There is too many variables to say which if any was the cause. If you want to do a true test only one thing can be changed. I agree it be fun to watch real football but after the great QB nerf because passing was too strong. To then a few season later having tons of rule changes trying to boost the passing game because QB rating are too low. Every change has many unseen effects that we will be trying to adjust for for season. So before going crazy and changing all attributes lets actually do some serious testing.

[Mitch-Oilers]

I'm just happy to see all this engagement.

I believe most agree that there is a need for continuing to widen the variance of player ratings. I don't believe converting the league to VPNFL, or in actuality, full PNFL Max/Mins immediately is the right answer. Honestly, half of our timing passes would suddenly be I complete everytime.

However, I do hope we accelerate ratings variability over the next several drafts. Having great variability seems to create good football on the field and it creates my strategy as a GM (makes players and picks more valuable in trades).

As far as the concern of some GMs being better at gathering talent than other GMs, I say, get better at being a GM. Ha!

[Rich-League Officer]

Fun conversation but so many variables to negotiate as James said.
I think we could at least point in that direction with more player attribute diversity.
For instance, each team had more diversity the way the rosters looked when the league started.
The gaps do not have to be that big of course.

But, people have to abandon the reality that a rookie player is at his fastest on day one.
We all know this is true but this isn't real life
I feel like you got far more interesting trades when the gaps were larger as well.

[Jerry-Redskins]

I just think the competitiveness in the league has been as good as it has every been the last 7 or 8 seasons or so. Not sure what panacea folks are trying to reach, but things have been pretty good. Always have to be careful what you ask for.

[Rich-League Officer]

No question, there is a certain competitive balance.
We had a stretch of 4 consecutive different champions so that's good.

If I were to speculate as a former coach...the role of GM became boring.
The players were all the same. As Justin said half seriously I think, why not just have completely identical teams.
Half of the fun of these leagues is the GM role.
When players are so close, trading suffers because it's not easy trading for a 3 point total attribute gain.
What value does this player have? what is the value of my draft picks?
There might be free agents who are only those same 3 attribute points less than a player I may trade for.
It makes it tougher. In some cases teams just stopped altogether and they draft/cut/sign FAs for gaps.
And their teams are still exactly like the very active teams.

That is the problem if you think it's a problem.
Maybe some coaches don't see it as a problem

[Mitch-Oilers]

@Rich - that's where my head has been for several seasons. I finally realized that regardless of who I cut or drafted, I was going to end up with the same basic roster. I decided to just spend more time worrying about PPPs and scouting.

[Jerry-Redskins]

I like our trend to expand the talent as we are doing it, but the PNFL like the NFL calls a lot of the same plays. Tell me why the Jets seem to always catch everything? It cannot just be chance after multiple seasons that way. I believe small differences in attributes still make some difference. The teams are not identical now. There are differences in how people value players and who they draft, trade, and pick up in FA.

[Matt-Jacksonville]

So before going crazy and changing all attributes lets actually do some serious testing.

THIS is what I meant by I need to see more data.