After more than 2,800 votes from Buffalo Rumblings readers, the Buffalo Bills still have a 96 percent approval rating for their first-round selection of defensive end Marcell Dareus. This post is for 100 percent of Buffalo's fan base, but is specifically targeted toward that four percent that is reserving judgment on the selection.
Dareus spoke to reports at an introductory press conference earlier this afternoon. He held up a No. 99 jersey with his name on it, and then reflected fondly on his pre-draft visit to Buffalo, made in March. Per Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News, one of many who spoke with Dareus today:
"I told people when I left Buffalo after my visit," Dareus said, "I called other people and told them, Buffalo may be my city. Because I like it slow. It's a big city but it's got a small-city feel to it. The fans love the team. It's just like Tuscaloosa (Ala.). The fans love Alabama. The fans love the Bills. When you got people behind you pushing you, it doesn't matter what else is going on as long as you're winning and you've got people who love to win and a bunch of people who want to win."
I can't wait to watch this kid play football in Western New York.