Average Current Value: Maybe the Numbers DO Lie

Before the first USFL/WFL season began, I compiled the average current player value for each team, hoping to gain some context on just where everyone's team stood. It was not foolproof, but it was something.

I have done the same thing again, and this is the result. According to this metric, the Baltimore Stars and Cleveland Thunderbolts will be playing in World Bowl II:

Baltimore Stars	67.17
Cleve.Thunderbolts	65.76
Pittsburgh Maulers	65.65
New OrleansVooDoo	65.13
Portland Storm	65.02
Birmingham Stallions	64.92
Honolulu Hawaiians	64.32
Shreveport Steamer	64.31
Georgia Force	64.21
Chicago Blitz	63.94
Florida Blazers	63.91
Oakland Invaders	63.79
Orlando Renegades	63.61
Detroit Wheels	63.04
Oklahoma Outlaws	62.98
Jacksonville Bulls	62.83
Michigan Panthers	62.79
New Jersey Generals	62.43
Boston Breakers	62.39
Houston Gamblers	62.17
San Ant. Gunslingers	62.13
Memphis Showboats	61.96
Arizona Wranglers	61.65
Charlotte Hornets	61.39
Denver Gold	61.19
Los Angeles Express	61.01
Washington Federals	60.38
Tampa Bay Bandits	60.28
Philadelphia Bell	59.83
New York Stars	59.62
San Jose SaberCats	59.47
SoCal Sun	59.32

What does a 20 current value player look like?

While there may be some validity to these numbers, at least as a measure of roster depth, I would not bet the farm on any of it. For instance, the Detroit Wheels' average player value is skewed by the fact they have one guy on their roster with a current rating of 20 (seriously). Without him, Detroit's number jumps almost a full point.

Since the San Jose SaberCats won their division last year, I am not so sure that one offseason has dropped them to the 31st-best team in a 32-team league. And the Philadelphia Bell already showed us what can happen on Any Given Tuesday.

Also, a rating system that values your punter the same as your No. 1 cornerback is obviously not foolproof.

One conclusion that appears valid is that the talent gap, compared to last year's Opening Day rosters, has become much more narrow. Last season, there was a span of 15.25 points between the Boston Breakers (the top-rated team) and the Houston Gamblers (32nd). This season, the gap between the Baltimore Stars and Southern California Sun is only 7.85 points. Some of that is young players maturing. Some of that is just good work on the part of our coaches.

That narrow gap means everybody starts the season with a chance, or at least something that resembles a chance. This puts a smile on my face. This is why I remove coaches who neglect their team--so the next guy also can have a chance. Competitive balance is fun.