It may only be exhibition season, but football is the best time of the sports betting calendar. The NFL preseason kicks off this weekend as the Eagles and Raiders battle. One thing to keep in mind when analyzing preseason football is how to distinguish important quotes by players and coaches from unimportant ones.

For instance, this week Oaklands Warren Sapp was shooting his mouth off: Ive awakened from the nightmare and Im playing a 4-3 defense again, boss. If you want me, come and get me. He also added, I really like this ballclub. I cant help but think weve got a shot. Warren Sapp ALWAYS shoots his mouth off about everything, especially himself, just like one of his teammates Randy Moss. Those are examples of quotes that really dont mean much for a sports bettor, with the exception of the fact that Oakland is changing from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 this season.

I find comments like this every day when checking up on newspaper accounts and TV interviews of teams and players. Discard the majority of it, as its mostly garbage. Who cares that Warren Sapp thinks the Raiders have a shot to be good? It means nothing. It would be more interesting if he said the team chemistry stinks and he wants out!

More important are the details that pertain to the game. For instance, for Sundays game, new coach Art Shell plans on giving his quarterback freedom to call some plays and during 2-minute drills and no-huddle situations. He also has been emphasizing discipline in practice, as the Raiders have been a sloppy team the last few years, especially with penalties. Shell expects his players to be crisp, detailed and disciplined. Shell will be very interested in seeing the Raiders play better than most coaches this time of the year.

Another tidbit I came across was in the Rams camp. New coach Scott Linehan has instituted a balanced offense for this season, which is a stark contrast to the way the Rams played under pass-happy Mike Martz. "I like the balance, where teams won't be able to come into the Edward Jones Dome and say, 'OK, they're going to pass the ball 50 times a game,'" Orlando Pace said this week. "I really enjoy knowing that we can pass and run." He also added that the practices have been, "A lot more physical. We're really emphasizing the run, and we're going after it pretty good." The Rams have been more of a finesse team, especially since defensive coordinator Lovie Smith left after the 2002 season. Perhaps they will be a more physical team, something to look for in preseason play.

Another team that plans to run the football far more is the Chiefs under new coach Herm Edwards. Edwards said the offense will run the ball more in 2006 as he feels it will ultimately help the Chiefs' defense. The Texans have a new head coach in Gary Kubiak and he brought in "zone blocking schemes" that helped make the Denver Broncos such a strong running team the last 11 years. Keep an eye on the Houston pass protection and running game this August.

Also, note that the Browns are going to be very young in the backfield, with quarterbacks Charlie Frye, Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson. All of these quotes and tidbits are important when it comes to assessing preseason football, as opposed to bland quotes that mean nothing. Learning how to distinguish the gold from the garbage will help you become a better bettor!