Trick or Treat: NFL Trick Plays of 2008

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Oct 28, 2008

Trick or Treat: NFL Trick Plays of 2008

Wildcat run

In observance of Halloween, here's a look at some of the trickiest trick plays of the 2008 season, beginning with the most popular, the Miami Dolphins high octane Wildcat formation. The Dolphins' first experiment with the Wildcat resulted in six plays for 118 yards and four touchdowns against the New England Patriots on Sept. 14. Three of those scores came on direct snaps to running back Ronnie Brown (23), who made it into the end zone each time he ran the ball from the Wildcat.

Wildcat pass

The fourth Wildcat touchdown in Week 2 came through the air. Ronnie Brown broke left after receiving the snap and found tight end Anthony Fasano (right) wide open for a 19-yard score.

Backup quarterback pass to starting quarterback

With backup signal caller Troy Smith next to him in the backfield, quarterback Joe Flacco (pictured) took the snap, handed off to Smith and ran a wheel route for a 43-yard completion, setting up a field goal in the Ravens' 29-10 win over Oakland. Flacco's catch might actually have gone for a touchdown if he hadn't stumbled after making his first reception since high school.

Reverse flea flicker

The second week of the Wildcat brought the first reverse flea flicker from the formation. The play started with a direct snap to Ronnie Brown, who handed the ball off to Ricky Williams, who tossed it to quarterback Chad Pennington, who hit Patrick Cobbs (pictured) for a 53-yard score.

Reverse

In their Week 6 upset of the New York Giants, the Browns pulled off some big offensive plays, including a 33-yard reverse by running back Jerome Harrison (pictured). The play led to a field goal as Cleveland cruised to a 35-14 Monday night win.

Wide receiver pass

Antwaan Randle El's 154.1 career passer rating only got better in Week 5 when, on an end-around, he pulled up and hit tight end Chris Cooley (pictured) for an 18-yard touchdown against the Eagles. It was Randle El's fifth career touchdown pass (including one in a Super Bowl).

Fake field goal

Mike Holmgren's final season in Seattle got off to a rough start in Week 1 when the Bills scored against his club on a fake field goal. Six-foot-seven, 264-pound defensive end Ryan Denny (pictured) lined up wide and went unnoticed until the holder, Brian Moorman, hit him for a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Fake punt

Tied with the Jets midway through the fourth quarter, new Raiders coach Tom Cable called a fake punt from his own 27. Jon Alston took the direct snap 22 yards for a first down. The Raiders later took the lead en route to winning in overtime.

Fake punt

On fourth-and-four on their opening offensive possession against Houston on Sept. 28, Jacksonville trotted out what looked like the punt unit, but was really part punt unit, part regular offense. The Jags quickly lined up in a regular offense and Montell Owens took the direct snap 41 yards for the touchdown.

Halfback option pass

As Adrian Peterson's backup, Chester Taylor doesn't always see a lot of playing time. But in Week 5 he made the most of his minutes, lobbing a four-yard touchdown pass to Visanthe Shiancoe (pictured) on a halfback option play during Minnesota's 30-27 win over the Saints. (Send comments or suggested additions to siwriters@simail.com)