Fansided

Marcell Dareus feels like Bills don’t want him there

By Josh Criswell

Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Buffalo Bills 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Buffalo Bills 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus wants to remain in Buffalo, but is unsure if the front office feels the same way.

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is one of the most promising young players in the NFL, and he wants to be paid as such. As of now, however, the Bills front office and their anchor on the defensive line have failed to make any progress towards a long-term extension. With this being the case, Dareus is beginning to feel not wanted.

"“They’re making it hard,” Dareus told the Buffalo News. “And it’s just really making me unhappy. I feel like they don’t really want me here.“We’re still waiting. I feel like they don’t want me here as bad as I want to be here, as bad as the fans and my team wants me here. I feel like they’re saying, ‘Whatever. You come a dime a dozen.”"

Dareus is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He is looking for a major payday, and rightfully so.

The 6-foot-3, 319-pound defensive tackle has been named to two Pro Bowls during his four-year NFL career. In 2014, he received First Team All-Pro honors after compiling 35 tackles, 10 sacks and one forced fumble. When it comes to big, powerful defensive linemen, there are not many that are as talented as Dareus.

"“I just want to be treated right,” he also told the Buffalo News. “Just like everyone else.”"

While his performance on the football field has been exceptional, the same cannot be said about his judgement off of it.

Dareus is suspended for the first game of the upcoming season as a result of a May 2014 arrest, in which he was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The substance in question was synthetic marijuana. Less than two months later, Dareus was arrested for drag racing after crashing his car into a tree.

His play on the field warrants a major payday, with Ndamukong Suh’s recently-signed six-year, $114 million contract in mind. With the NFL’s new emphasis on player conduct, though, it is going to be difficult to justify that kind of contract for Dareus.

Another issues that stands in his way is the money that Buffalo already has locked up in the long-term contracts of players like Mario Williams and LeSean McCoy.

The Bills have reportedly offered him a six-year, $90 million deal in the past, which he refused. If a solution is not reached, Dareus will likely be receiving a franchise tag next offseason, something that he realizes is a part of the business.

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