Marcell Dareus Now Buffalo Bills' Most Important Defender

by Brian Galliford on Nov 9, 2011 8:45 AM EST in Buffalo Bills Opinion

On Tuesday, after four weeks' worth of waiting around for a foot injury to heal, the Buffalo Bills finally ended the 2011 season of defensive tackle Kyle Williams by placing the sixth-year pro on Injured Reserve. That decision makes permanent a development from the last four weeks brought on by Williams' absence from the lineup: rookie Marcell Dareus is now the Bills' most important - and perhaps even best - defender as the team pushes for the playoffs.

Dareus has had a more active role in George Edwards' defensive fronts in the last three games, all of which Williams missed. In five games playing alongside Williams, Dareus racked up 11 tackles and one sack. In the three games without Williams, Dareus has been much more productive, accumulating 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. While much has been made about Dareus' supposed switch to nose tackle - which he's done well - the real reason for the uptick in production has been his own progress as a player and his being a much more important factor with Williams' play-making abilities absent.

We'll need to wait until next season to see the full effects of a healthy duo of Williams and Dareus anchoring Buffalo's defense. That never materialized this season. But though it hurts to have Williams out of the lineup, the defensive line is in good hands with the massive frosh out of Alabama.

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I don’t know that i’d label him the most important – there is plenty of depth on the defensive line. No – none of them are all stars but there are guys that can certainly get the job done.

I think Nick Barnett or Moats/Batten (rusher) are more important than Dareus at this point. Heck maybe even Byrd or Wilson.

Dareus can be supplanted at LDE by Carrington and at NT by Heard or Troup (if he’s close). He’s one of our better players along the line – but Buffalos most important defensive player? I’m not buying it.

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 8:51 AM EST reply actions

Well, for starters, the idea that Danny Batten is more important to our playoff push than Marcell Dareus is, frankly, absurd. Same with Jairus Byrd – I love Byrd, but his performance is contingent on what happens up front. Same with Moats, for that matter – he’s far too limited in what he can do to be considered that important.

Dareus is the most important because if he’s playing well – and he has been for three weeks – he can be the catalyst for everyone else to play well. Barnett, Wilson, etc. can’t make that claim as convincingly.

Also, who cares about Kellen Heard and Torell Troup? They’re just big bodies. Neither is remotely capable of making the plays Dareus has made – and Carrington isn’t nearly the run defender Dareus is.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Nov 9, 2011 8:57 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Maybe we’re looking at it differently. The way I’m looking at it is if we were down one of those guys then how much we would we be screwed?

We’d be more screwed losing Barnett or Byrd than Dareus because we have depth at defensive line.

Moats and Batten were in there because they are the guys that are suppose to get after the QB – which is why there was a slash in there. I still think pass rushers are more important for defensive success than space eaters.

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

I’m thinking less about depth and positional importance and entirely about what each player brings to the defense.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Nov 9, 2011 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

ya – we’re thinking 2 different things then.

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

We'd be most screwed without Dareus

Barnett would be a close second. There’s a huge gap between Dareus and whoever would take his spot. Just because we have bodies in Heard and Troup doesn’t mean we have depth. Neither one of those guys is very good or provides any kind of impact, like Dareus has begun doing.

How are Moats and Batten more important? Simply because they “rush the passer”? Again, neither does it very well, so I don’t see how they could be anywhere close to more important than Dareus.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 9, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

We’d be most screwed without Dareus

because we have better depth there – who’s behind Barnett or Byrd that makes you think the drop off from them wouldn’t be more significant?

How are Moats and Batten more important? Simply because they "rush the passer"? Again, neither does it very well, so I don’t see how they could be anywhere close to more important than Dareus.

they were 2 different thoughts – but Moats and Batten or should I say pass rush – is more important than the position that Dareus plays. You of all people that scream for pass rush shouldn’t have an issue with that statement.

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

Barrnet you have morrison who is a very capable veteran back up. If dareus goes down kellen heard is starting. I would rather morrisin play than heard. if we are talking about back ups. I would also not mind seeing wilson move to fs and searcy come in at ss. All the only one who you can argue has the more drop off than dareus is searcy to ss.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Nov 9, 2011 12:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Morrison backs up Sheppard and Davis. he doesn’t play that position.

behind Barnett is Chris White

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Avcording to bb.com

We are both wrong on that account morrison is sheppards back up. davis is barrnetts back up so by that logic barrnett becomes most important player. But his play would drastically drop also if heard was in on the line imo.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Nov 9, 2011 12:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

what about Troup? Gailey said 2 weeks ago (i’d have to go look) that Troup could play but he’s not 100% and they were bringing him along slowly.

If he had to play he’d play. I think the drop off from Dareus to Troup/Heard is much smaller than that of Byrd or Barnett.

The conversation started with me not agreeing with the article headline – he might be the best player on the defense but I don’t think that necessarily makes him the most important. It’s semantics and Brian and I cleared that up very quickly.

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

You really just missed me agreeing with you based on that logic didn’t you j2.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Nov 9, 2011 1:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think that’s a fair assessment – yes

by J2 on Nov 9, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Its okay I understand both ways of thinking because I am in the middle of both philisophies personally.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Nov 9, 2011 2:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

For sake of arguement let's just say that the Nose is very critical.

Especially if the plan is to build from the inside out. Either way losing Kyle will never be a good thing for the team. As far as the comparisons per position per player the only downside is the fact that Troup has not been able to develop and Alex Carrington is movin ahead of him on the development chart and has been for awhile. This team could use a healthy Torrel Troup from day one. Shuffling players is the way we due business because we haven’t had the opportunity to fully develop our young draft picks due to injuries and the organization has decided not to go any other way. Let’s hope Aaron Williams gets back soon, Shep continues to develop, Moats and Batten continue in their current path. It is mid season and the development of these young guys and thier health is critical for the team going forward. Marcell Dareus most important. I’ll buy it. It is the most critical area to tie down and he is up to it.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Nov 9, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I shudder to think about how ugly our defense would be right now had we not drafted Dareus.

by Morningw00d on Nov 9, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

2nd that

by wab2 on Nov 9, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Also, who cares about Kellen Heard and Torell Troup? They’re just big bodies. Neither is remotely capable of making the plays Dareus has made – and Carrington isn’t nearly the run defender Dareus is.

That comes across as an indictment of the 2010 draft.

I agree, Dareus is the man. Plugging the middle limits what offenses can do. That’s been key to the defensive strategy of teams like the Steelers and Ravens for years. It’s also why you need monsters on the offensive line, to counteract it. Jets showed the Bills (once again) how it works. Your skill players don’t need to be nearly as good when the big guys do their job.

by Rick A on Nov 9, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

the 2010 was very weak for us

by wab2 on Nov 9, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

BG, I would use your logic to say that Dareus has been the Bills’ most important defender this entire season.

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
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by thefourwinds on Nov 9, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

I share that sentiment.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Nov 9, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

i think your beliefs are in the minority

i think wilson is likely most important, followed by dareus. I used to think kyle then wilson. None of the lb’s have been huge, but barnett would be third followed by byrd. The CB’s have bee average to inconsistent and other DL/LB at best average.

by wab2 on Nov 9, 2011 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

Kyle

Good God, son, if you must be cut do it quickly! We all appreciate you and want you back ASAP! God bless, and we look forward to you and big D healthy and ready to rumble.

by frcorny on Nov 9, 2011 9:04 AM EST reply actions

Love that picture.

And completely agree. It starts this week, Demarco Murray has been on a tare since being named the starter, probably averaging close to 170ish a game, we need to stop the run, especially with Austin out this week.

Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I got a TROPPer in the car, uhh!!

by bflo on Nov 9, 2011 9:16 AM EST reply actions

really nice to see a home run with a 1st rd pick – right now Dareus is very good with elite potential and seems like a great kid… now we need to continue to put more pieces around him.

by JustAskTheAxis on Nov 9, 2011 9:24 AM EST reply actions

So far, the 2011 first round has been very good to ALOT of teams.

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Nov 9, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Where this week?

Be interesting to see where they put him this week. I’m not 100% sure he’ll be at the Nose. Tyron Smith (RT) is a heckuva run blocker – and most of Murray’s big runs have been over the right side.

We may see Troup + Heard hold down the NT this week & move Dareus back.

by zipper on Nov 9, 2011 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Better Question...

If they do well defensively, will it be more likely that he had a good game than if they do poorly because he had a bad game?

by killabstingz on Nov 9, 2011 11:12 AM EST reply actions

I agree that Dareus is now the most important Bill on defense

and I think that Nick Barnett is the best Bill on defense, in the way that John Stockton was the most important Utah Jazz and Karl Malone was the best. Barnett is the heart and soul (if you’ll pardon the somewhat overused phrase), as he makes plays in coverage, rush, pursuit, etc. Dareus is the most important because, while what he does doesn’t fill up the stat sheet as much, he holds the line and sets up everything that Barnett does.

It’s not a perfect analogy, but I like it.

Go Buffalo Bills, Utah Jazz, and Arkansas Razorbacks

OUR KING DOME IS HOLLY GROUND YOU CAN ENTER BUT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH OUT A SOUL - Abayarde, Buffalo Rumblings

by Dyl on Nov 9, 2011 11:24 AM EST reply actions

except

stockton stuffed the stat sheet as well ;)

by lord gloom on Nov 10, 2011 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah,

that’s why it’s not a perfect analogy.

Go Buffalo Bills, Utah Jazz, and Arkansas Razorbacks

OUR KING DOME IS HOLLY GROUND YOU CAN ENTER BUT YOU WILL LEAVE WITH OUT A SOUL - Abayarde, Buffalo Rumblings

by Dyl on Nov 10, 2011 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

It was more.....

A change by the defense I think…..we see less small lines with only two big men and a more aggressive defense. Moats has made QBs step-up or put the ball down. Spencer Johnson and Dwan Edwards have been playing more and have responded. The D-line (I hate to say it, but the whole line has been trying harder.)
Last week, against the jerks, they started to relax again. There were plays were it was clearly a pass, the QB still had the ball, and defenders stopped rushing, mid-play because they were tired. Dareus got them to play harder before the Skins-game (he said this after the skins game, and it shows up on film ie the linemen were relentless) and he needs to do talk to them again.
And yes, I know the defnse played good enough to win that game, but they could have played better. We rotate D- linemen so they can go all out every play and if we are going anywhere this season, we need a relentless front four.

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Nov 9, 2011 11:26 AM EST reply actions