Oakland Raiders Power Play of the Week

by Rich Langford on Nov 18, 2011 2:23 AM PST

Aaron Curry got his bully on and blew up Marcus McNeill. And for that he gets the esteemed honor of winning this week's power play. My initial reaction was to go with a Denarius Moore TD, or a Michael Bush run. But upon further reflection, it had to be this play.

After all, this play not only flashed crushing power, but it changed the game. The score was 0-0 when this play occurred. This was the Chargers second drive, and they had moved the ball fairly easily before being stuffed on the goal line on their first drive.

Then, on the second play of the second drive, Curry established the tone that the Raiders were going to out physical the Chargers.

Curry didn't make the tackle on this play. It wasn't even his job to make the tackle in this situation. And that is part of the reason why I am highlighting this play. Curry could have accepted the fact that he was going to be taken out of the play, and simply tried to stand his ground.

Instead, he went above and beyond, and decided to put the hurt on.

This is the way that this team needs to play. Every players needs to whoop the man in front of them. They need to attack with ferocious explosion.

It isn't that they need to knock players out with injuries, but that they need to dominate them in a way that makes them not quite as excited to come back out of the huddle on the next play.

This particular play did knock McNeill. Luckily, it was just a stinger, and nothing serious. But in the wake of his absence, Kamerion Wimbley was able to abuse his replacement to the tune of four sacks. And the message was clear at this point: the Raiders meant business.

This is the kind of intensity the Silver and Black needs to bring to their next game and everyone after that.

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You don't happen to have a video clip of this play do you?

by TRIPPLE OT on Nov 18, 2011 5:49 AM PST reply actions

AC 51

is one of my new found favorite players on D…. the kid is a beast…. wen death row gets health we could have a stout LB crew with speed now added to that! AC is everywhere on every play and hes excited to be out there!!! whats the length of this contract if its something short term we need to address that asap!

by rips187z on Nov 18, 2011 6:04 AM PST reply actions

Most satisfying read, Rich, and well deserved that Curry should be honored with the prestigious "Power Play of the week" award

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
"I love to win, even against my daughters, I want to win" Hue "Action" Jackson 8/19/11

by Sons-of-Blanda on Nov 18, 2011 7:31 AM PST reply actions

Good call Rich

I still dont know how McNeil got injured on the play, and I watched it happen! Look at the picture….his head hit his shoulder pad. Just a wierd, freak way to turn the game.

by LaRaider on Nov 18, 2011 8:55 AM PST reply actions

I watched it a few times in slo mo, and Mayock even points out, it's when he gets his head whiplashed and then when it bounces of the ground

from the inertia of the blow. Curry absolutely blew him up. It was cool, because the camera focused on him before the snap, zoomed in on his eyes roaming the backfield, and approaching the line of scrimmage anticipating the snap, before coming in and aiming through Marcus. They stifled him from being able to do this in Seattle, and he’s flashing a glimpse of what we’ll see from him in our defense.

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson
"In football, I root for the Oakland Raiders because they hire castoffs, outlaws, malcontents, and fuck -ups, they have lots of penalties, fights, and paybacks, and because Al Davis told the rest of the pig NFL owners to go get fucked. Someday, the Raiders will be strong again, and they will dip the ball in shit and shove it down the throats of the wholesome, white, heartland teams that pray together and don't deliver late hits." - George Carlin.

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by brhynno on Nov 18, 2011 4:39 PM PST up reply actions

Power Play and Poise.

Thats the kind of play that will take the Raiders a long ways into the playoffs. Nice read.

by bigmark l on Nov 18, 2011 9:18 AM PST reply actions

Currys play is definitely the power play of the week

and the key to Wimbleys success and the constant pressure on Phyliss that we had all night.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Nov 18, 2011 9:22 AM PST reply actions

Awesome read, and I remember thinking that same thought

can’t wait to watch that play a few more times again, in slo mo… Good to have him on the team. McCann should be exciting to watch too. No one can knock Hue for inactivity in addressing team needs.

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by brhynno on Nov 18, 2011 9:46 AM PST reply actions

Good point

No one can knock Hue for inactivity in addressing team needs.

I live on the outskirts of Charger country and the newspapers here are knocking the Charger’s management for not doing anything in free agency to plug the many holes they have now due to injury. The Raiders have been extremely pro-active in finding replacement players.

by Oceanside Raider on Nov 18, 2011 3:19 PM PST up reply actions