Jaguars’ Dareus finds comfort zone
Defensive tackle happy with trade
JACKSONVILLE — There are far worse places Marcell Dareus could have wound up.
Luckily for him, the Buffalo Bills shipped the talented D-tackle to a team with one of the NFL’s best defenses. He’s been reunited with his former coach. And, as the newest Jacksonville Jaguar, he’s suddenly in the midst of a serious race for a division crown and his first playoff appearance.
And because he’s playing in Florida? “No state income taxes!” Dareus told USA TODAY, assessing the merits of last month’s trade.
Dareus is re-energized, fitting in well with “Sacksonville” as the Jags’ highpowered D provided the grit to another victory Sunday, an overtime escape from the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I just need to come here and do what I specialize at,” said Dareus, one of the league’s premier run stuffers. “I’m going to do that to the best of my ability and just try my best not to mess anything up.”
The 2011 first-round pick is a former Pro Bowler and all-pro but had a few issues in Buffalo, including a four-game suspension last year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Dareus insists he’s in a good space now, in good football condition and bolstered by the move that re-establishes his connection with Jaguars coach Doug Marrone, who used to have the same post in Buffalo.
“It was easier to accept a trade because there were open arms,” Dareus said. “It feels good to be with a good group of solid guys. They have a com- mon goal, and they are clearly fighting their butts off.”
Dareus played 38% of the defensive snaps Sunday, his second game with his new team. He led the defensive linemen with four tackles and registered a quarterback hit. He did his job well.
The same could not be said for his former team, which was routed 47-10 at home by the Saints. When it was mentioned that the Bills gave up more than 40 points, Dareus had additional inquiries.
“How many rushing yards?” he asked his visitor.
Uh, not sure. But Mark Ingram scored two touchdowns.
“I heard he got three,” Dareus shot back.
Yep, he knew exactly what happened to his former defense, which allowed New Orleans to rush for a whopping 298 yards with six TDs. Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara both had more than 100 yards.
“Ingram had (131) yards and the other guy had 106,” Dareus reported.
Thanks for those details — and the suggestion that he could have made a difference.
“How many yards did (Chargers RB Melvin) Gordon have today?” Dareus asked.
This time, he didn’t know the exact answer. But he knew what it felt like: Not much.
Gordon rushed for just 27 yards, 1.7 yards per carry.
“Hmmm,” Dareus said. “Holla at your boy!”
Sounds like a man who has found quite the comfort zone.