JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the 1970s the backbone of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty was the Steel Curtain. After adding Marcell Dareus to an already deep defensive line it may be time to start calling the Jaguars group the Teal Curtain.
“I still haven’t gotten over it, yet,” said Dareus who was traded to the Jaguars for a sixth round pick on Friday. “I’m still in shock. I’m shocked for the trade. I’m shocked at this defense, this team. I’m still just taking it all on. It’s just been three days, man.”
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Even coming off the bye week the Jaguars still lead the NFL with 33 sacks. Their biggest issue has been stopping the run. The Jaguars are dead last in the NFL, allowing 5.2 yards per rush and they’re second to last in rush yards allowed per game (138.6).
At 6-foot-3, 331 pound Dareus is guy that opposing teams will have to game plan for. He had his best two seasons as a pro in 2013 and 2014 when he played under Doug Marrone in Buffalo.
“He’s a player that when I was with him, was very successful, very good football player,” said Marrone. “We’ve struggled at times against the run and I think he’s going to help our defense that way.”
Dareus has the ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line. The Jaguars plan to line him up all over the field in a similar fashion to how they use Calais Campbell.
“I’m still processing what we just went through,” said Dareus after going through his first practice with the Jaguars on Monday. “I had meetings and just got off the field, so I’m just trying to feel my way through. They are letting these guys go, and I’m taking it in, just trying to see exactly what they want me to do. They are not making it hard. They are going to give me everything I possibly need to make things a smooth transition, so I’m just happy, taking it all in with these guys.”
Entering the bye week with a share of first place wasn’t good enough for the Jaguars. This move prove they believe they can win right now.
“That is definitely an upgrade for our defense,” said Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith. “It definitely adds depth to our defense. Helping Abry [Jones] out. He was doing a great job in there, but with a guy like Marcell to come in behind him and play with him, that is going to be a crazy rotation. Definitely looking forward to adding another head to this monster.”