As a die-hard football fanatic who’s spent countless Sundays glued to the TV and many years studying the intricacies of the game, I’ve come to appreciate the creative genius behind NFL play names. You know what I’m talking about – those cryptic codes that quarterbacks bark out before the snap, each one telling a story of football’s rich history and tactical evolution. Today, I’ll take you through some of the most iconic and fascinating play names that have become legendary in the NFL playbook.
The Classic “Spider 2 Y Banana”
I can’t start this conversation without mentioning Jon Gruden’s favorite play of all time. The “Spider 2 Y Banana” has become almost mythical in football circles. It’s a play-action concept where the fullback sneaks out into the flat while the Y receiver (typically the tight end) runs a banana route over the top. What makes this play name fascinating is how it perfectly describes the action – the “spider” refers to the protection scheme, while the “banana” describes the curved route of the tight end.
The Legendary “Hail Mary”
Here’s a play name that’s transcended football and entered everyday language. The term was coined by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach in 1975 when he completed a desperate 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to win a playoff game. After the game, Staubach said, “I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary prayer.” Since then, any long-shot throw to the end zone has been known as a Hail Mary. It’s beautiful how a moment of divine intervention in football created such lasting terminology.
The Enigmatic “Green Right Strong Slot Spider 3 Y Banana”
This mouthful of a play name is a perfect example of how detailed NFL play-calling can get. Let me break it down:
– “Green Right” – formation and strength call
– “Strong Slot” – personnel grouping
– “Spider 3” – protection scheme
– “Y Banana” – route combination
Every word serves a purpose, painting a complete picture for all eleven players on offense.
The Revolutionary “West Coast Offense” Series
Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense introduced an entirely new naming convention to football. Instead of traditional numbered plays, Walsh used colors and numbers in combination. For example, “Blue Right 88” might indicate a specific formation and route combination. This system revolutionized how teams name and organize their plays, emphasizing precision and quick communication.
The Simple Yet Effective “Gun Buffalo Right Key Left 349 Storm Naked”
Don’t let the length fool you – this play name is actually quite logical:
– “Gun” – shotgun formation
– “Buffalo Right” – personnel package
– “Key Left” – protection call
– “349” – route combination
– “Storm Naked” – play-action fake
Each component builds on the last, creating a complete picture for every player.
The Historic “Red Right 88”
Some play names become infamous for all the wrong reasons. “Red Right 88” is seared into Cleveland Browns fans’ memories as the play call that ended their 1981 playoff hopes. In freezing conditions, instead of kicking a field goal, the Browns called this pass play that resulted in an interception. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest play names carry the heaviest weight.
The Modern “RPO” Revolution
Run-Pass Option plays have introduced their own naming conventions. You’ll hear calls like “Jet RPO Bubble” or “Split Zone RPO Slant,” which efficiently communicate multiple options within a single play. I love how these names reflect football’s evolution toward more dynamic, multi-purpose plays.
The Innovative “Philly Special”
Sometimes a play becomes so iconic that its name transcends its original calling convention. The “Philly Special” from Super Bowl LII is a perfect example. While its actual play-call name was probably much more complex, it’s now known simply by this nickname that captures its special place in NFL history.
My Final Thoughts
What fascinates me
