Dupree

I am up in the air on Bud, I have been one of the guys who has complained about him. Everyone can't be a stud however watching Bud rush the QB he only has one move. Not sure why Porter hasn't fixed this but Bud is fast as heck and always over pursues. With that said next year he will make 2.9 mil and that is fine but no way in heck do I want the Steelers to pick up his 5th year option. 9.2 mil is a total waste of money and since we are struggling with our cap we can't afford to throw that kind of money away. It is looking like we need to add an OLB to the draft list this year so we can give the guy a year to learn and then step in. Now if Bud wants to sign an extension I am good with that but imo he isn't worth more than 3 mil a year.

 

When you look at what TJ Watt has done as a rookie and then look at Dupree, there is no comparison, Dupree is athletic, Watt is a football player. The point I'm making is I don't think he is going to get a lot better, he is fast and has potential but that doesn't always make a great, or even good player.

Think about Heyward, I thought he was going to be a bust, but by the middle of his 3rd year he started coming on strong and it was clear that he was good and didn't take long for the Steelers to extend his contract, Bud on the other hand just isn't improving, and I'm not looking at sacks, he gets lost in run support and seems incapable of getting off blocks or setting the edge.

I'm trying to not have knee jerk reactions this year but there are some things that you can't sugar coat. One of those is that Bud Dupree just isn't that good, maybe if he was in a different sport or different position but it is painfully obvious he isn't getting better, I hope he breaks out in 2018 but I'm not holding my breath.

I know we all say his stats are better than Jarvis Jones but look at the sacks he has, most acre coverage sacks. Before anyone says it, yes, sacks are sacks but a coverage sack means he really isn't getting to the QB, most of those sacks are taking place well after 3 seconds. So I'm not saying that the team just give up on him but if you can get Chick for a lot less money then i'd say they need to let Dupree go, he isn't bad but he isn't a 1st round talent either and unless there is some type of miraculous change in his play this coming season I think the team should decline the 5th year option.

 

And who are you replacing him with? And don’t even say Chickillo cause that’s laughable

 

You are absolutely correct. They don’t use their OLBs like the use too. But when we do seen you we expect more from a number one pick. Plus he is not good on setting the edge, shredding tackles and making plays on run plays. Too many times he’s doing a dance with a TE that totally takes him out the play.

I don’t think or would pick up his 5th year option. I would draft another, and depends who on the market, sign a free agent. He will probably be the starter this year but will be gone next year.

 

No. I dont care one bit. I find it amazing that u used the word garbage. Mike mitchell= garbage. That works. Dupree is a solid olb. Is he the best in the league, not close. Kid is what 24? If u want to say he hasnt lived up to his 1st rd potential, fine. Maybe thats what u meant. But to say garbage and imply he needs to go, that to me is ridiculous.

U can disagree with that and trust me, i will be ok

 

Bud has got the potential no doubt. If it was me I would keep him. Someone has to work with him to develop those skills. I can't say Porter is doing a good job with him but that's not gonna change for at least another year.

 

no on Chickillo

 

Dupree is not the answer. No 5th year option. Chickillo is a camp body. Need to roll the dice in the draft or free agency. Time to cut away the dead wood.

 

Everybody thinks because he was a first he should be or has to be an all pro. But they praise later round picks like Chickillo who maybe has slightly achieved more than where he was drafted. Makes no sense to me.

 

I want every Steelers player to be great or at least be adequate on the field. I just don’t think the change in the defensive philosophy excuses the poor play of Dupree. I still think he is garbage. Mitchell is another discussion.

Let’s hope he has an amazing turnaround next year.

 

Here is what Dupree thinks:

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...option-with-the-steelers-news-rumors-contract

 

I like Bud and he's a useful part... but not at $9M or some other crazy number.

 

Isn't he just now entering his fourth year of his rookie deal and the only decision that needs made is the 5th year option and whether to use it or not? Ideally there is no rush beyond leaving the option off and working on a deal throughout the offseason that benifits the Steelers more.

 

I think Dupree needs to take a new approach. I don't question his work ethic, but something is missing.

Maybe he's an ILB and he could take Shazier's position.
Maybe he's a huge safety, and just doesn't know it.
Maybe he's a special teams specialist.
Maybe he has coaching potential...

 

Its not like multiple members of the board, myself included, gave information and stated evidence of such through links or pictures depicting the new scheme and how it differed from the old guard of the LeBeau days... Oh wait.


Essentially, we are running a 4-3 in a 3-4 formation. The issue with that is players like Javon Hargrave are having their potential stymied or stagnated all together. A 4-3 utilizing 3-4 looks is what can be achieved.


Now, as to why this still has not surfaced into fruition is beyond me.

 

I believe he played ILB in college at times? He doesn't seem natural rushing on the left, maybe he is better rushing from the right side?

Even if the OLBs don't pass rush as much anymore, I wouldn't say he his above average in stopping the run. I would try to resign him for less money?

 

I have talked a little about this kind of, I have mentioned that this "hybrid" D we run moves Heyward, Alualu and Tuitt inside and Hargrave off the field which I feel is hurting the run D. I don't watch the all 22 so I am not exactly sure what we run and how much so this is just from watching the game.

I have said before when DL was here I felt that Tomlin was trying to change the D into this style(4-3/3-4) and it was hard cause we had 3-4 type players. No we have Butler who learned from DL and we are in the same boat, imo. I feel we don't have the players inside to keep running this style D. What I do know is Dupree has only one style of rushing the passer and that needs to be changed cause he is fast and he does have talent. Coaching needs to be looked at here

 

In no way shape or form is Dupree a 9mill player. He is just an average starter. Not what you want with a first rounder, but they won't part ways with him unless he over prices himself.
I'm really tired of the "next year" mantra with Dupree apologists. He drops back in coverage etc, ok fine, so when has he made a play in coverage. I've seen Watt knock down passes and get a pick. Dupree relies on athleticism and that doesn't cut it. Technique rules the day in the nfl, and Dupree doesn't seem to have the mental acuity to add that to his game. Him being slow to diagnose plays also points to this.
I hope they don't pay a lot for this average player.

 

James Harrison just helped NE all but seal up the AFCCG.

 

He can't set the edge, can't get to the quarterback regularly, get's abused by TEs, not physical, and avoids contact.

Thanks but no thanks.

 

You know it wasn't all about the sacks. It was about getting man-handled by TEs, not setting the edge and not physical enough to play the position during run downs.

 

When he's not getting bottled up by the OT rushing the QB, he's over-pursuing on run plays and giving up big runs. I was excited about him after his rookie year, but not anymore.