cctekguy
Staff member
We've all seen some variation of the Hollywood plot where a group of people all face certain death at the hands of some evil oppressor. There is always one in the crowd that tearfully begs for his life while clutching the feet of his would-be assassin and wetting his pants. We know this person as "The Coward". Then there is the star of the movie. He stares straight down the barrel of destruction without flinching. No sweat, no nervous gestures, almost daring his captor to pull the trigger. He is called "The Hero"
In a way, to me, running a trick play seconds before the final gun is symbolic of the coward. The Hero would take a knee, accept his defeat and move on.
Of course, this is all in the mind of the beholder and the stark truth is....If you don't try you CAN'T win. The coward has a much better chance of gaining reprieve than the hero...who through his bravery...has guaranteed himself a bullet between the eyes.
One of the most egregious of the trick plays is the "fake kneel" or the "fake spike". Especially if the offending team has the lead at the time! What COWARDICE! It requires no skill and no luck. It's the kind of dime store slight of hand often used by petty criminals and scam artists. But to the team that uses it while behind...well, isn't that just doing what it takes to win?
In 1994, week 13 vs. the Jets, Dan Marino and the Dolphins were inside the Jet's 20 with seconds counting down. They were down by 3 so the gimme field goal and overtime was what everyone thought they would do. Take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZfzr9tB4oo
Pretty exciting if you're a Dolphins fan. Marino is a jackass if you're a Jets fan.
Fake kicks and Fake punts are among the staples of trickery in the NFL. If you are in a situation where the defense is aware of your desperation then these plays rarely work. You have to ask players to do things they normally don't do. The holder passing, the kicker receiving etc. But if you can slip this play in where the actual kick would be advantageous (easy FG, punting deep in your end) then you can greatly increase the odds of success.
On Sept. 13th last year, the Packers were leading the Bears 6-0, late in the second quarter. The Packers lined up for a 45 yd field goal attempt to take a 9 point lead in what looked like was going to be another Green Bay/Chicago slug fest. Here's what happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8DN_FmGpw
Reasons for success? The Packers really needed the 3 points in a close game vs a very tough defense. There was no desperation by the Packers. They had a slim lead and it was early in the game. The Packers used "under the radar" players. The holder and the #2 TE.
Then there is the Ultimate desperation play. The multi-lateral play. It's usually on a kick or punt return where the field is more open and because it's the 1st play of what is perceived as the losing team's final possession. It's the "pee your pants" scene in the movie analogy. Unlike the fake kneel or the fake fg, fans aren't embarrassed when it fails and don't usually call for the coach's head. "hey....we were going to lose anyway". And...it usually ends in disaster.
But what else are you going to do? It's a back yard sandlot play that's better suited for 5 year olds but every now and then...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGco82JKHo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPhONc6xC48
Gadget plays are much more common and far less embarrassing when they fail. Also, typically less disasterous. Direct snap, flea flicker, hook and lateral, double reverse, are all considered legitimate, high risk, plays and aren't necessarily associated with cowardice or desperation. Often times, players take it upon themselves to turn a normal play into a gimmick. Watch Randy Moss and his amazing presence of mind on this play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBxuO_vt-U
I think this actually was a desperation play, but still, it's a great highlight.
The onside kick is not so much a gimmick as it is a strategy, unless you use it at the most unpredictable time....like the post half-time kick off in Super Bowl XLIV. Down by only 10, the Saints lined up for a normal kick-off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUM0m2q2gN4
So there's my op-ed on trickery and gadget plays in the NFL. The bottom line, as is almost always the case, opinion is based on success. When my team does it and it works, it can be the most exciting play in football. When the other guy does it and it works, then they are lowlifes and the coach should be shot.
When my team does it and it fails, I start looking for a paper bag and a new team to like. When the other guy does it and it fails, it's the funniest play in all of sports.
In a way, to me, running a trick play seconds before the final gun is symbolic of the coward. The Hero would take a knee, accept his defeat and move on.
Of course, this is all in the mind of the beholder and the stark truth is....If you don't try you CAN'T win. The coward has a much better chance of gaining reprieve than the hero...who through his bravery...has guaranteed himself a bullet between the eyes.
One of the most egregious of the trick plays is the "fake kneel" or the "fake spike". Especially if the offending team has the lead at the time! What COWARDICE! It requires no skill and no luck. It's the kind of dime store slight of hand often used by petty criminals and scam artists. But to the team that uses it while behind...well, isn't that just doing what it takes to win?
In 1994, week 13 vs. the Jets, Dan Marino and the Dolphins were inside the Jet's 20 with seconds counting down. They were down by 3 so the gimme field goal and overtime was what everyone thought they would do. Take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZfzr9tB4oo
Pretty exciting if you're a Dolphins fan. Marino is a jackass if you're a Jets fan.
Fake kicks and Fake punts are among the staples of trickery in the NFL. If you are in a situation where the defense is aware of your desperation then these plays rarely work. You have to ask players to do things they normally don't do. The holder passing, the kicker receiving etc. But if you can slip this play in where the actual kick would be advantageous (easy FG, punting deep in your end) then you can greatly increase the odds of success.
On Sept. 13th last year, the Packers were leading the Bears 6-0, late in the second quarter. The Packers lined up for a 45 yd field goal attempt to take a 9 point lead in what looked like was going to be another Green Bay/Chicago slug fest. Here's what happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn8DN_FmGpw
Reasons for success? The Packers really needed the 3 points in a close game vs a very tough defense. There was no desperation by the Packers. They had a slim lead and it was early in the game. The Packers used "under the radar" players. The holder and the #2 TE.
Then there is the Ultimate desperation play. The multi-lateral play. It's usually on a kick or punt return where the field is more open and because it's the 1st play of what is perceived as the losing team's final possession. It's the "pee your pants" scene in the movie analogy. Unlike the fake kneel or the fake fg, fans aren't embarrassed when it fails and don't usually call for the coach's head. "hey....we were going to lose anyway". And...it usually ends in disaster.
But what else are you going to do? It's a back yard sandlot play that's better suited for 5 year olds but every now and then...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGco82JKHo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPhONc6xC48
Gadget plays are much more common and far less embarrassing when they fail. Also, typically less disasterous. Direct snap, flea flicker, hook and lateral, double reverse, are all considered legitimate, high risk, plays and aren't necessarily associated with cowardice or desperation. Often times, players take it upon themselves to turn a normal play into a gimmick. Watch Randy Moss and his amazing presence of mind on this play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBxuO_vt-U
I think this actually was a desperation play, but still, it's a great highlight.
The onside kick is not so much a gimmick as it is a strategy, unless you use it at the most unpredictable time....like the post half-time kick off in Super Bowl XLIV. Down by only 10, the Saints lined up for a normal kick-off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUM0m2q2gN4
So there's my op-ed on trickery and gadget plays in the NFL. The bottom line, as is almost always the case, opinion is based on success. When my team does it and it works, it can be the most exciting play in football. When the other guy does it and it works, then they are lowlifes and the coach should be shot.
When my team does it and it fails, I start looking for a paper bag and a new team to like. When the other guy does it and it fails, it's the funniest play in all of sports.
