- Flea flicker (American football)
A flea-flicker is an unorthodox play (often called a
trick play ) inAmerican football designed to fool thedefensive team into thinking that a play is a run instead of a pass. It can be considered an extreme variant of theplay action pass and an extension of thehalfback option play .After the snap the
quarterback hands off or laterals the football to arunning back (or another player on his team), who then runs towards or parallel to theline of scrimmage . Before the running back crosses the line of scrimmage, he laterals the football back to the quarterback, who then looks for an eligible receiver down field to throw a pass to.If the defensive players think it is just a normal running play, they will leave their defensive positions guarding against the pass to run upfield and cover the running back, leaving the quarterback free from any immediate pass rush, and leaving receivers potentially open to catch a pass.
The flea-flicker is an extremely high-risk play and it often results in a big gain, a turnover, or a big loss. One problem is that it takes a significant amount of time for the play to develop. During that time, the defense might get past the offensive line to tackle the running back before he can make the pitch to the quarterback, or sack the quarterback before he can throw the ball. Then there is also the risk that the running back could fumble if he is hit as he pitches the ball.
Because of these risks the play is rarely used in a game. However, with 32 teams in the NFL, there are usually several instances of the play each season. The
Philadelphia Eagles , however, have used it very often in recent years to varying degrees of success.Notable examples
Some flea-flicker plays have been used in many key
National Football League games, including theSuper Bowl , leading to dramatic results.
*January 12 ,1969 :Super Bowl III , just before halftime; the then Baltimore Colts, trailing 7-0 to theNew York Jets tried a flea-flicker, but despite the fact thatJimmy Orr was wide-open near the end zone,Earl Morrall threw the ball to fullbackJerry Hill . Jets safetyJim Hudson ended up intercepting the pass. An additional irony is that during a regular-season game against theAtlanta Falcons , Morrall used the same play and was able to find Orr for a touchdown.
*January 30 ,1983 :Super Bowl XVII , theWashington Redskins used a flea-flicker to try to fool theMiami Dolphins . However, the Dolphins were not fooled; Miami defensive backLyle Blackwood intercepted the pass.
*November 18 ,1985 :Joe Theismann of theWashington Redskins infamously had his career come to an end on a nationally televisedMonday Night Football game at the hands ofNew York Giants linebackerLawrence Taylor . The play in question was a flea-flicker attempt which failed to fool the Giants’ defense. Upon tackling Theismann, Taylor’s entire weight came crashing down on Theismann, severely breaking his leg. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i_bJv_0z-k Video of Joe Theisman's career-ending injury] ]
*January 25 ,1987 :Super Bowl XXI , theNew York Giants successfully ran a flea-flicker play against theDenver Broncos : QuarterbackPhil Simms passed the ball to receiverPhil McConkey who ran all the way to the Broncos 1-yard line before being tackled for a 44-yard gain. The Giants then scored a touchdown on the next play.
*January 8 ,2006 : During a playoff game against theCincinnati Bengals , Pittsburgh wide receiverAntwaan Randle El ran the ball almost all the way to the right sideline before lateraling back across the field to quarterbackBen Roethlisberger , who then threw to receiverCedrick Wilson for a touchdown. This was also a direct snap play.*Week 14,
December 7 2007 :Tom Brady did a Flea Flicker play againstPittsburgh Steelers with wide receiverRandy Moss , with Moss grounding the ball, the pitch back to Brady ended up freezing the safeties and linebackers, then the play ended with a 56-yard touchdown toJabar Gaffney .ee also
*Football strategy
*Fumblerooski
*Statue of Liberty play
*Trick Play Notes
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