Feist's "Workbook," Steele's "Pro Scorebook" helpful tools

25 July 2008

By Howard Schwartz

Jim Feist's Football Workbook ($39.95, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, 317 pages) and Phil Steele's Northcoast Sports Pro Football Scorebook ($34.95, 8x11 plastic spiralbound, 320 pages) are two of the chunkiest books serious angle-shooting, record-keeping, statistical-minded bettors will find this year, and each is unique.

Feist's book is for both college and pro football bettors, with 10 years of results, spreads and totals (for pros only). The book is unique in that it immediately isolates how, say, Hawaii did against all that team's 2008 opponents in the past. For example, Hawaii meets Weber State this year; they've never met before, but in the case of Cincinnati, another 2008 opponent, you can quickly see they did meet in 2002, with Hawaii winning 20-19 but not covering a three-point spread. On summary format, the book shows you how teams did overall for the past 10 years straight up or against the line, as a favorite or dog against each 2008 opponent.

The book is probably most valuable as a complete place to keep records each week and there's a spot for notes and an indication of which games are conference battles for the college and which are vital division confrontations for the pros.

Steele's Northcoast book has 22 years of results, spreads and totals, 12 pages of pre-season statistics, angles, room to keep records and a handy reference guide to quarterbacks, listing first to fourth stringers should a key player get carried off the field.

With Bret Favre a question at Green Bay, for example, who's the backup for the Packers should Aaron Rodgers get hurt? Brian Brohm with Matt Flynn backing him up. Sure, things can change quickly, so the book helps answer key questions. Cleveland with Romeo Crennel as coach is 9-3 against the spread in pre-season and the 49ers' Mike Nolan is 8-3-1.

The book contains thousands of angles and room for keeping regular and pre-season records. It offers a projected depth chart (excellent for fantasy league players) and a chart showing each team's top draft choices.

There are angles for betting totals; post-season and Super Bowl angles; a small section on Arena football including rules and final standings; scores; spreads; totals and a look at the NFL season with a thumbnail description of each game played.

There are angles for pro games played Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Thus, two more valuable tools for the serious or occasional bettor who likes to chronicle his or her action for the next six months.