Dareus could be start of something special

   When teams struggle as long as the Bills have, it's easy to see even the smallest baby steps as major progress.
   Unfortunately, the Bills have spent most of the last decade in a virtual standstill. 
   They replace one bad coach with an equally bad coach.  They fail miserably with high draft picks.  They let the few veteran contributers on the team walk in free agency, then settle for marginal talent to fill in the roster holes.

Marcell Dareus at Alabama

   But for the first time in a very long time, I think the Buffalo Bills have taken a significant step forward.  And the reason is Marcell Dareus.
   Scanning the NFL, there are a few things that the top teams have in common.  The first is a great quarterback.  The second is at least a couple "special" players.  I'm talking about guys that make opposing coaches lose sleep on Saturday night.  Guys that single-handedly force drastic changes in the gameplan.  Guys that make big plays when everything is on the line in the fourth quarter.
   It's no secret that Buffalo has suffered from a serious lack of talent.  No impact players on offense.  No difference makers on defense.
   Instead, the Bills have gained a reputation around the league as a team full of hard-working players with average talent.  Although their effort often keeps matchups close until the second half, the Bills lack the playmakers to pull games out against the NFL's good teams.
   Even when selecting in the top half of the draft, the Bills have been unable to nab these kinds of players.  CJ Spiller, Aaron Maybin, Leodis McKelvin, Marshawn Lynch, Donte Whitner... the list goes on and on.
   But with Dareus, quite a few experts believe the Bills were able to emerge with the best overall player in the draft.  We haven't heard that phrase in Buffalo since Bruce Smith was taken first overall in 1985.
   Even in an exceptional year for defensive linemen, Dareus easily emerged as the top guy at his position.  He's got incredible strength, speed and size.  He's got multiple years of production in college.  He's a leader who seems dedicated to being a great one.  He's also got versatility to fit any defense the Bills throw at the opposition.
   Of course, potential is worthless until it comes out on the football field.  But if Dareus does manage to reach that potential, the 2011 offseason could be seen as the official turning point for the Buffalo Bills franchise.

  I came across this video on another website.  It's an amazing example of what Dareus is capable of.