NFL preseason rouses sports books

If it's August and footballs are flying, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is normally the only guy not in on the action. He has sat out the NFL preseason the past three years.

But the betting public is not as cautious to play the field. There are signs of life in Las Vegas sports books again.

After a six-month absence, the NFL is back. The games don't count in the standings, and several stars such as Tomlinson will spend most of their time on the sidelines, but the windows are open for wagering.

The books need the business following a slow summer, and bettors are probably ready for the adrenaline rush.

''The bottom line is it's fun and we're talking about it. We're getting things moving again,'' said Jimmy Vaccaro, director of operations for Lucky's sports books. ''If there's no buzz about football, forget about it. But the buzz seems to be good.

''People love to bet this stuff. It's building the excitement.''

The NFL preseason kicked off Sunday, when the Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills 21-18 in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio. The Titans were 3-point favorites, and the score went over the total.

The full schedule for Week 1 begins Thursday with four games, highlighted by a Super Bowl rematch as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers are 3-point favorites.

Handicapping the NFL preseason is not just a pursuit for the insane. Betting limits are lower and there are more X-factors in every game, so some serious bettors treat it as second-hand smoke and stay away. For others, the temptation is great, and the reality is it's another game that can be beat.

''Exhibition games are always more unpredictable, so I never recommend making a large wager, but the best strategy is to pick your spots and make small wagers to build your bankroll for the regular season," Vegas Insider handicapper Mark Franco said.

The key to winning in the preseason is to do more homework by combing the Internet for information; read teams' local newspapers and NFL.com. Vaccaro said it's always paramount to know how much playing time starters will get and what a head coach's attitude is toward a game.

''When Marv Levy was the coach for Buffalo, you could bet against him every game because he didn't care,'' Vaccaro said.

A coach who probably will care is San Francisco's fiery Mike Singletary, in his first preseason and trying to establish a winning attitude.

The laid-back Wade Phillips is 0-4 on the road in two preseasons with the Dallas Cowboys, who are 1-point underdogs at Oakland on Thursday.

Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid has lost five straight preseason openers. The Eagles open Thursday as 3-point favorites over the New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick, who is 30-22-4 against the spread in preseason games.

''One of the most important factors I use in handicapping preseason football is quotes from the head coach," Franco said. "Finding out what they are thinking in interviews is critical. In the preseason, many coaches have a track record of trying to win the game and some just don't care and won't show their playbook."

Franco expects positive results from New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. Franco likes the Jets as 31/2-point home favorites over the St. Louis Rams on Friday, saying the Jets have better overall talent and Ryan is looking to ''make a statement'' in his first year in charge.

For many, the starting point and easiest route to breaking down the preseason is to study quarterback rotations.

The Jets are staging a hot quarterback duel between Kellen Clemens and rookie Mark Sanchez. Ryan has named Clemens, listed No. 1 on the depth chart, the starter for Friday's game. But Sanchez has played better in training camp and is the favorite to win the job.

The Chargers are strong at quarterback with Philip Rivers, Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst.

Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune there's an ''85 percent" chance he will play Saturday against Seattle. But Tomlinson has only 14 carries in his eight career preseasons, so he'll be little or no help even if he plays.

The Chargers are 31/2-point favorites.

Almost all opening lines in the preseason fall between one and four points, but Vaccaro said to watch for late line moves that could be a reaction from inside information on coaches revealing their game plans. There are fewer preseason secrets now, however.

''These things were under the radar 15 years ago,'' Vaccaro said. ''There were times when you could beat it for a decent amount of money. Everybody is watching for this now.''