Dryptosaurus aquilunguis

Named by Othniel Charles Marsh, 1877
Diet: Carnivore (Prey included hadrosaurs)
Length: 25 feet (7.5 meters)
Weight: 1.5 tons
Region: New Jersey USA (Navesink and New Egypt formation)
Age: 70.6-67 million BC (Maastrictian stage of the Late Cretaceous)

This smaller, primitive relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, was one of the first nonavian dinosaurs ever found in North America and one of the first theropods found in the New Worlds.

Found in Gloucester County, New Jersey, it was first described and named by Edward Drinker Cope in 1866 under the name Laelaps, but as this name had already been given to an insect, Cope's arch rival, Othniel Charles Marsh renamed it Dryptosaurus in 1877.

At 25 feet in length and weighing over a ton, Dryptosaurus was probably the main predator of New Jersey near the end of the age of dinosaurs, since there was no other larger predator found at the same site, with the same age.

During that time, it was a coastal area as the fossil remains of this theropod were found in marine deposits, likely as a result of being drifted out to sea before becoming fossilized.

Although it is known from partial remains, the famous painting by Charles R. Knight of them fighting and attacking each other made this one of the most widely known dinosaurs during the day. 

Since it's discovery, it wasn't recognized as an early tyrannosauroid until 2005, when it's similarity to Appalachisaurus which is another primitive breed sealed the deal.

Other than Appalachisaurus, Dryptosaurus was one of the few tyrannosaur species found in Eastern North America. During the Late Cretaceous period, North America was split into two by a shallow inland sea, known as the Western Interior Seaway. While giant advanced tyrannosaurids thrived in the Western margin known as Laramidia, the smaller, primitive forms thrived on the Eastern margin known as Appalachia. This is probably due to isolation from Laramidian tyrannosaurs (to still occasionally mixed with Asian genera via land bridge connection), but this split was not exclusive to them, however, as horned dinosaurs and advanced ankylosaurs seemed to be numerous in Laramidia.

Appalachia seems to have a surviving populations of hadrosaurs, which seem to have declined significantly from their previous numbers in Laramidia by the end of the Cretaceous period. These 'older' forms of potential prey may have also reduced the need for tyrannosaurs like Dryptosaurus to evolve different killing methods.

The partially preserved arm show that like other early tyrannosauroids, such as Dilong and Eotyrannus, the arms of Dryptosaurus were very long. The fingers contained razor-sharp hook-like claws that were up to 8-inches and were like those of an eagle's talons, hence it's species name (The name Dryptosaurus aquilunguis means "Tearing Lizard with Eagle-like Claws"). They were most likely used to grab, stab, and kill its prey. This physical method of hunting is envisioned in for other early tyrannosauroids. 

Note: This was in honor of my vacation to New Jersey (where this dinosaur was found) on August 21st to 25th.  
As you may notice, yes the artwork is based on the famous painting by Charles R. Knight of the two dryptosaurs fighting.
The coloration is based on those of Tina Rex the tyrannosaur from The Amazing World of Gumball (Season 2 and on wards), but since these are males competing for dominance, mating, and territory, I gave them orange around the face and throat and patches of orange feathers on their heads.