Although there are several optional entry routines in Version 2.5, you can still keep Pro Predictor as simple as you like. The only entries you must make are the weekly scores.
If you do not keep up with injuries to major players and do not enter them, Pro Predictor will notice the difference in the team's play over a period of 2-3 weeks and will adjust accordingly. Injury reports are effective in improving the bets against the spread, especially for the upcoming game, but, for the most part, do not change the outright winners prediction except for the number of points in the spread.
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Pre-Season Injuries:
Pre-season injuries are less damaging to a team than those that occur during the season because they have two or three weeks to develop a replacement. Although the replacement may not be as good as the injuried player, the back-up has the time to learn and experience game situations before the season begins.
Remember, a team's strength is based upon its starters and reserves. Since short term injuries to the less glamorous position is an expected course of events, I've entered injury reports for the highly skilled positions only where a starter has been injured.
Dallas:
Aikman has returned from his back surgery, but Emmet Smith has still not signed. Even if he signs this week, it's doubtful they'll play him in the season opener at Washington. If they do, watch out for a hamstring injury!
LA Raiders:
RB Nick Bell pulled a hamstring in the last pre-season game with the Rams and there's no one comparable to replace him. May be out 1-3 weeks.
Minnesota:
RB Terry Allen is out for the season. However, they've been grooming other running backs and Charles Evans has surprised. Also, they acquired Barry Word from the Chiefs. Because of that, I did not rate Allen's loss as high or very high.
Pittsburg:
I haven't entered an injury report, but there are rumors that O'Donnel has a sore arm that isn't responding like it should.
San Francisco:
Steve Young has a broken finger but claims he'll be back for the opener. However, the coaches think it'll be one or two weeks later before he returns. The back-up, Bono, is out with a shoulder injury until mid-October so there's no help there. That leaves Musgrave and Grbac.
Washington:
All Pro OL Jim Lachey is lost for the season. I'm not sure how much this will affect the team but when he returns next year, he will upgrade the team. So, I've done a little slight of hand here. I made Washington's pre-season adjustment a 0 (see Pre-Season Adjustments below.) and then entered Lachey's injury. In that way, we can return him from injury at the end of the season so we'll have a more accurate team strength for 1994.
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Pre-Season Adjustments.
It's tempting to re-evaluate teams based upon their performance in pre-season games. However, there are so many factors involved that it's better to evaluate individuals, rather than team performance. Some teams play to win, feeling it'll give them momentum for the the regular season, while others don't really care if they win. Some will play their starters well into the second half, while the opposing team may be playing its reserves for most of the game. In 1991 pre-season, the Jets were undefeated and Buffalo won only one game. After the 4th week of the regular season, it was Jets 0-4, Buffalo 4-0.
I've left most of my earlier evaluations intact.
Miami: +2.5 (previously +1.5). I added another point to Miami after they acquire Byars.
Washington: 0 (previously -2). I made their pre-season adjustments a wash. Earlier, I had given them -2 because of the loss of coach Gibbs. Although Petibon seems to have the players behind him, I think the loss of Gibbs will be felt down the road. But since it will be a gradual influence, Pro Predictor will pick it up on its own. The injury loss of Jim Lachey is another matter.
