I was rewatching the Redskins game, and in the 2nd quarter as the Pats were at a 2nd and 10 and approaching the Red Zone, Josh McD dialed up a play. I think if I describe it to you, you'll recognize it. It was a play action fake end around screen. Fake to the RB up the gut, fake again to an end around, and then a screen pass back to the first RB. There was pressure on Brady so it fell incomplete, and even if it was completed a defender was right there to stop the RB for a loss. Being an inconsequential incomplete pass, it's not clipped, but I'll pull an example of the same play from a different game.
Here's a play in the first drive in the 2011 playoff loss to the Jets.
Look familiar?
Also, here's the first Pats offensive play on the first play of Super Bowl XLII
Notice how there are two Giants DL on Brady's lap before he's ready to throw.
There are a few other lower profile failures as well.
I'm not going to say this play NEVER works. I think they ran it vs. Tennessee for 10+ yards a year or two back. I just think the risk/reward of this play is not in your favor as it's the slowest developing play and requires the QB to take his eyes off the pass rush and coverage. If I had to choose one play to retire from the Pats' playbook forever, this would be the one. Give me a dozen flea flickers before we see this one again.
Here's a play in the first drive in the 2011 playoff loss to the Jets.
Look familiar?
Also, here's the first Pats offensive play on the first play of Super Bowl XLII
Notice how there are two Giants DL on Brady's lap before he's ready to throw.
There are a few other lower profile failures as well.
I'm not going to say this play NEVER works. I think they ran it vs. Tennessee for 10+ yards a year or two back. I just think the risk/reward of this play is not in your favor as it's the slowest developing play and requires the QB to take his eyes off the pass rush and coverage. If I had to choose one play to retire from the Pats' playbook forever, this would be the one. Give me a dozen flea flickers before we see this one again.