spacecrime

Anyone besides me think that trick plays in preseason are silly?

I'm referring to the Indy onsides kick to start their game and Cinci's flea flicker tonight.

Someone said (about the onsides kick) Why not? It's only preseason? Sure, but why?

If preseason is to evaluate your team and prepare for regular season, how do trick plays help? What's the benefit to having one less play to evaluate your kickoff coverage or young WRs??

WV-Colt

simple, a) it makes opposing teams consider that you might do it, and b) due to the rule changes this year regarding the onside kicks, it's good to practice it in a game situation.

BelichickFan

Well the onside kick sure put a smile on Dungy's face . . . look, everyone, I outcoached the new guy - in preseason

desi-patsfan

Trick plays dont bother me at all. Its part of the game. WHy shouldnt you run it? Just because the starters are not in there doesnt mean we dont play football. The pats could try and run 10 double reverses for all i care. Try all the trick plays in the bag and see how the team responds.

Ichiro

Watching a lot of preseason games this weekend, it really opened my eyes to the state of some NFL franchises. I mean the Arizona Cardinals were playing Kurt Warner into the third quarter. The Bengals last night were really trying to gameplan vs the Redskins.
Some teams need to prove things in the PRESEASON to their fans and the ownership. Remember the Bengals vs us in the 2004 preseaon? They were trying like it was the superbowl, playing their first team into the third quarter. Thank god we're not a awful franchise that needs to play well in August to sell tickets.

spacecrime

This makes the most sense. You use trick plays whenyou want to win more than you want to evaluate lower tier players.

I recall Cinci last year playing us in preseason playing regulars well into fourth quarter. I thought at the time how perfect for BB. His scrubs and backups get to play against NFL starters and he can get a great read on their ability.

With all due respect, even DUngy isn't stupid enough to say, "I think I'll alert other teams to a sneak play I might run so as to take away the element of surprise." It's one thing to go deep every so often to keep the D from clogging the short routes, and run draw plays to keep the D honest on third and long, but it is quite something else to tip your hand on surprise plays. That's like practicing your blitzing and DL stunts in preseason.

JoeSixPat

While there might be a school of thought that one saves the trick plays and keeps them underwraps until just the right moment to catch everyone off guard, I kindof like the thought of showcasing any number of trick plays in the pre-season to make opposing coaches 2nd guess themeselves during the regular season games.

The trick plays themselves are so rare anyways it seems making DCs worry about what BB might have up his sleve at all times is very worthwhile.

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WV-Colt

actually, dungy made some remark about the # of times teams have used the onside kick against us, to keep the offense off the field. the said that he has to expect it every time now.

he said something to the effect that other teams are going to have to plan for it as well. i wouldnt' be suprised to see them use it again this pre-season...might even open up the next game with one again.

HAMMERMILL

Total agreement,
It's just a waste of evaluating who's going to make your team.
Coaches ego,my opinion

HAMMERMILL

I guess Dungy's doing everything he can to make teams forget they don't have a Rb this year