Flea flicker (American football)
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A flea-flicker is an unorthodox play (often called a trick play) in American football. It is designed to fool the defensive team into thinking that a play is a run instead of a pass.
After the snap the quarterback hands off or laterals the football to a running back (or another player on his team), who then runs towards or parallel to the line 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 the result of it is almost always either 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.
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[edit] Notable Examples
Some flea-flicker plays have been used in many key National Football League games, including the Super Bowl, leading to dramatic results.
- Super Bowl XVII, the Washington Redskins used a flea-flicker to try to fool the Miami Dolphins. However, the Dolphins were not fooled; Miami defensive back Lyle Blackwood intercepted the pass.
- Super Bowl XXI, the New York Giants successfully ran a flea-flicker play against the Denver Broncos: Quarterback Phil Simms passed the ball to receiver Phil 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.
- During a 2005 playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh wide receiver Antwaan Randle El ran the ball almost all the way to the right sideline before lateraling back across the field to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who then threw to receiver Cedrick Wilson for a touchdown. This was also a Direct snap play.
[edit] Trivia
Joe Theismann of the Washington Redskins infamously had his career come to an end on a nationally televised Monday Night Football game at the hands of New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, after a failed attempt at a flea-flicker which didn’t fool the Giants’ defense. Upon tackling Theismann, Taylor’s entire weight came crashing down on Theismann, severely breaking his leg.
Video of Joe Theisman's career ending injury
[edit] Recent Usage in the NFL
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This section documents mercurial information. Information is subject to change rapidly by its very nature. Please confirm current information with other sources. |
One recent appearance of the flea flicker in the NFL was in the 2006 regular season; the Miami Dolphins successfully executed it in a second quarter play in the November 12 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Quarterback Joey Harrington handed the ball off to running back Ronnie Brown; Brown flipped the ball back to Harrington, who heaved it down the left sideline to wide receiver Chris Chambers for a 46-yard gain down to the one yard-line. Miami promptly scored a touchdown on the next play.
Recent usages also include the October 8 game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Donovan McNabb handed the ball over to Correll Buckhalter, who then tossed it back to McNabb, who then launched the ball downfield to wide receiver Reggie Brown. Brown then completed the pass 40 yards out over Safety Pat Watkins and Roy Williams to run in for a touchdown.
On November 30th, 2006 the Cincinnati Bengals completed a successful flea flicker against the Baltimore Ravens. Carson Palmer handed the ball off to Rudi Johnson, who at the line of scrimmage flung the ball back to Palmer. Palmer then completed a 40 yard pass to T.J. houshmandzadeh for a touchdown bringing the Bengals to a 13-0 lead and helping to win the game.
