Buffalo Bills release running back Bryce Brown

As one of the premier defensive tackles in the game, Marcell Dareus has the respect of a lot of his peers in the NFL.

It’s clear the Bills have taken to their new coach. “It just feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders”.

Bryant missed the offseason in a contract stalemate, and then missed all the preseason games with a hamstring injury after signing a five-year, $70 million contract.

“Happy to be back, of course, and knowing that Brady’s going to be out there just gives it a little bit more fire”, he said. That’s a reason it’s personal for me and they’re our rival.

The Cowboys have made their first move to try to fill in for Dez Bryant while the All-Pro receiver is sidelined with a broken right foot. He’s been a four-year starter since being picked third overall in the 2011 draft.

Dareus has stayed out of trouble since and put up career numbers last season by leading National Football League defensive tackles with 10 sacks.

The only question marks have been off the field.

The suspension came as a result of Dareus being arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after being stopped by Alabama State Police on May 5, 2014. The original deal saw the teams swap places in the seventh round (Philadelphia moving up into Buffalo’s spot, and vice versa) plus the Bills sent a conditional fourth-round pick to the Eagles in the 2015 draft. He has since reached a plea agreement to have misdemeanor charges dropped.

That plan was nixed when the Eagles dangled an even better back in front of Whaley and Rex Ryan last March.

Sunday’s showdown between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots is still a few days away, but the trash talking has already begun.