# Explain NE's Trick TD? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 11, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515 "2015-01-11T00:36:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/21 "2015-01-11T13:45:50Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > 😕 > > I never whined. Sorry, wasn’t casting aparagus at you, but at Lady Day Tomlinson. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/22 "2015-01-11T15:32:22Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Generally speaking, if someone is capable of throwing like an nfl qb, that’s what they will be. But there have been a few college qbs that had success as nfl Wrs and threw occasional passes. Sanu for the Bengals is one. Antwaan Randle El was another. I believe Fred Jackson wasn’t a college QB. But the Bills ran a couple of trick plays last season where he threw a pass. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/23 "2015-01-11T15:34:36Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Absolutely one of the most exciting games I’ve watched in years. You don’t often see a non-overtime game where the clock runs out and you still don’t know who’s going to win. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/24 "2015-01-11T18:24:25Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > Yeah, lovely flea flicker. Commentators even said the first pass had to be thrown backwards. Was that really a flea-flicker? I’ve always thought of the flea-flicker as a handoff to the running back who then pitches it back to the quarterback for the deep pass. Anyway, that was a nice trick play. I’m trying to think of the last successful trick play in the playoffs before that one. I’m sure there have been some since, but all I can come up with is the Antwaan Randle El pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/25 "2015-01-11T18:50:11Z")
Edelman’s a great receiver and kick returner, and now he gets to retire with a perfect QB rating. Not a bad career. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/26 "2015-01-12T16:46:46Z")
Is video of this play legitimately available? It sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/27 "2015-01-12T16:59:00Z")
I don’t know about “legitimately”, but I found this on YouTube: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wxLmSTM6t9M/maxresdefault.jpg "Julian Edelman throws TD (Trick Play)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLmSTM6t9M) ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/28 "2015-01-12T18:43:08Z")
[I think this goes to the NFL version of the video.](http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015011000/2014/POST19/ravens@patriots#menu=gameinfo%7CcontentId%3A0ap3000000456213&tab=videos) The NFL keeps very close control over all possible highlights of everything NFL. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/29 "2015-01-12T19:05:23Z")
That’s not the only trick play that New England used. Lateral to a WR to throw downfield is pretty cool but in the below play, they had 4 linemen and 1 back declared as “ineligible” to throw off the defense. Seems pretty gimmicky to not let the defense adjust, but it’s OK in the rulebook, evidently. > **[The Patriots' play that made John Harbaugh mad](https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/10/7526841/the-patriots-trick-play-that-got-john-harbaugh-mad-ravens)** > > John Harbaugh was mad at the referees for allowing the Patriots to run a play that was 100 percent legal. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/30 "2015-01-12T19:12:10Z")
You do something like that too often and it no longer has that element of surprise. Same thing with fake kicks or punts. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/31 "2015-01-12T19:47:17Z")
I just watched the video, that’s not a [flea flicker](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_flicker_(American_football)). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/32 "2015-01-12T21:41:25Z")
Yeah, in a flea flicker, the ball goes QB-\>RB-\>back to QB-\>pass. [Here’s a flea flicker](http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/0ap2000000279014/WK-10-Can-t-Miss-Play-Lynch-to-Wilson-to-Kearse) from the 2013 season. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/33 "2015-01-12T21:51:33Z")
I also seem to recall the late, great Walter Payton being involved in passing plays of the OP’s nature . I couldn’t find any Youtube videos of it specifically (although I can find him getting direct snaps in the Wildcat formation), but he does have 8 career passing touchdowns (most for a non-QB) and six interceptions (also most for a non-QB.) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/34 "2015-01-12T22:20:53Z")
So, what’s the right name for this? A variation of the halfback pass substituting wide receiver for halfback? Where was he lined up? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/35 "2015-01-12T22:35:24Z")
[This page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_play) describes it as Dual Quarterbacks although I don’t think it’s common usage. > [@](#): > > Dual Quarterbacks: The offense brings two quarterbacks onto the field for a play. This is typically utilized when a team’s second or third-string quarterback has dual-threat ability, confusing the defense as to how the play will develop, and who will be passing the ball. **Teams may keep one of the quarterbacks far wide as a receiver and throw a screen pass to him on a Double Pass play, where he then throws deep downfield** or across the field to the scrambling quarterback. (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/36 "2015-01-12T23:36:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I also seem to recall the late, great Walter Payton being involved in passing plays of the OP’s nature . I couldn’t find any Youtube videos of it specifically (although I can find him getting direct snaps in the Wildcat formation), but he does have 8 career passing touchdowns (most for a non-QB) and six interceptions (also most for a non-QB.) Even before that I recall Jim Brown throwing a few passes. I recall one play in particular when Brown stopped in the endzone and threw a pass that was almost complete only to have the refs rule a safety because his “forward progress” was stopped and someone on defense was touching him. That was a call which at the time they’d never have made if he were quarterback. I don’t know if they would even now, though they are much more protective of QBs now. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/37 "2015-01-13T01:04:03Z")
Quick question: was the wildcat called the wildcat back in the 80s? I don’t seem to recall hearing that term until the past decade or two, but I would have only been about 10 years old during Payton’s heyday, so it’s something I may not have paid attention to. (ETA: And, while I’m thinking out loud, were backless 5 wide receiver formations also not common in the day? I seem to remember 4 WR being about as far as most teams would go, but now 5 wide is not uncommon. I remember playing the first version of Madden on the Commodore 64, and it came with an extensive playbook as well as with a cool playbook editor, where you can create pretty much any legal play you can dream of, and 5 wide receivers was one you had to custom make yourself, as it wasn’t included in the standard batch.) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/38 "2015-01-13T01:12:12Z")
Run & Shoot offense was popular late 80s early 90s. Warren Moon (Houston Oilers again) was a big part of that. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/39 "2015-01-13T01:45:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Quick question: was the wildcat called the wildcat back in the 80s? I don’t seem to recall hearing that term until the past decade or two, but I would have only been about 10 years old during Payton’s heyday, so it’s something I may not have paid attention to. It really didn’t make it to the NFL until the 90s. According to [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_formation#History) the first time it was used was 1998 by Minnesota. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515/40 "2015-01-13T02:35:30Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > It really didn’t make it to the NFL until the 90s. According to [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_formation#History) the first time it was used was 1998 by Minnesota. Ah, nevermind. The Payton stuff I saw wasn’t a Wildcat at all. He was just straight-up QB-ing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-nes-trick-td/709515.md?page=3)