Marcell Dareus is spending the NFL lockout in Atlanta training with his agent, according to a story at Pro Football Weekly. He took a break from his training to discuss some of the things that have been on his mind since he was drafted.
"I'm not Bruce Smith. I never will be Bruce Smith. I'm Marcell Dareus and I'm going to be the best player that I can be," said the third overall pick.
Dareus is the Buffalo Bills' highest draft choice since they took Smith first overall out of Virginia Tech in 1985. Both will play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, but that's where the similarities end. Smith recorded 46 sacks in his four seasons as a Hokie. Dareus recorded only 11 in his career at Alabama.
"What (Smith) has done is great, but we're two types of players with different styles," Dareus said. "Me, I'm a power D-lineman. I'm quick off the ball, I stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback."
Dareus was drafted to improve Buffalo's league-worst run defense first and help pressure the QB second, just as he did as a member of the Crimson Tide.
"At Alabama, we stop the run first and then we defend the pass," Dareus said. "I live for fourth-and-inches, I live for it."