In prepping for any season it is key that you understand the changes and motivation for each team as they head out for the new season. Particularly in this time of salary cap and coaching Merry-Go-Rounds - NFL teams are not particularly stable. As you go forward whether in preseason or regular season wagering consider the following:

Early seaosn lines are often posted with a heavy weighting to the public's preception of the team based on last year's team, presonnel and management.

Trend analysis, though useful, by its nature must ignore the changing compostion and dispostion of NFL teams. Too often a bettor finds a good looking trend and rides it to the poor house.

Statistical analysis will often use prior year's numbers as a basis for projecting scores and performance, again, without any adjustments to the coaching philosophy or overhauls of a team's offensive and defensive schemes.

Most bettors overlook a good source of pre season player and team change analysis - Fantasy Football sites. In his article "The 2001 Coaching Carousel" Ric Agostini a writer for Toughguy.com breaks down the major changes in the NFL from a team coaching and management prespective. Although you won't find a any picks or touts, his article will offers an insightful analysis of the impact of the off-season front office moves.

Did you know that?

Arizona: Plans to do away with Marc Trestman's West Coast offense and implement a low-risk, high-percentage passing system

Buffalo: Jerry Gray, new defensive coordinator for the Bills will do away with the Bills 3-4 scheme and implement the popular 4-3 scheme.

NY Jets: New head Coach Edwards and Paul Hackett will bring a wide-open, West Coast style, which should help Vinny Testaverde's numbers in what could be his final season as the team's starter.