Bud Dupree position switch????

Just a random thought..... Dupree reminds me of another college outside rusher that we drafted who wasn't that effective at the position either.... we moved that linebacker inside and the rest was history.
That lber of course was Lawrence Timmons.....
Dupree is almost identical to Timmons in athletic ability and speed, and may have even more.... he was used all over the field in college. With all the talk about position flexibility, I would've thought this would've been considered by the coaches...
While Dupree has been better against the run, he still isn't the pass rusher he needs to be.......
A move inside may just save his career

 

Rather him just do a team switch.. Or a sport switch

 

Dupree has no idea how to shed a block. Blindside olb should be his best chance to make plays imo.

 

I'm sorry but Dupree has been given the flexibility to play all along the LOS. It's a foregone conclusion that he simply can't rush the passer from his OLB spot. They are trying to use him in space to try and get more production out of him. While he's been a bit more successful at least statistically so far I would expect more from a superior athlete being allowed to basically freelance in space. My biggest issue with Dupree is his lack of physicality. He just won't throw his body around and because of that he would make a terrible ILB and that's not even considering his lack of football instincts. Dupree out for a nice stroll....

 

Timmons was moved inside in 2009 because he was stuck behind James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. The Steelers took him in the first round of the 2007 draft after they lost Joey Porter. James Harrison had only played a little as a reserve in 2016. They also took Woodley in the second round that same draft. Then Harrison emerged as a starter in 2007 opposite Clark Haggans, who then left before the 2008 season. Woodley and Harrison emerged as stars in 2008, so the move inside was the only path to playing time for Timmons.

Just because Timmons made the move doesn't mean Dupree can handle the same switch.

 

Who else wanted the Steelers to draft Byron Jones in 2015 but instead we got Derpree?

 

Timmons had plenty of occasions when he played OLB as an injury replacement (particularly in woodley's absence)... he was largely unsuccessful and the coaches finally said that he would stay inside regardless of any injury

 

but we *have* been seeing Bud go up the middle more over the past few weeks

 

I thought he was drafted all along to be an ILB? And only played outside due to injury. Maybe I’m remembering that wrong.

 

I think you remember it right. I'm pretty sure he got a couple looks there early and then a year or two later due to injury like b and g patrol said. It wasn't successful at all....

 

Dupree moving towards the inside linebacking position would be even worse.


Nevermind his inefficient but growing toolbox on passing downs but he is too stiff in coverage. Add the fact that, in a Tampa 2, range is everything for a linebacker and Dupree would be the absolute worst candidate on the team.



Now, why Matthew Thomas has not even gotten a look overall sans special teams seems too intriguing for many of us.

 

I wanted CB Kevin Johnson who went to the Texans at #16 and since he was off the board I think I went back to Landon Collins or DT Malcolm Brown who I liked earlier in the draft process.

 

I think Timmons was more of a thumper which is needed on the inside. I seriously wonder if Bud would have the strength and size.

 

Timmons > Dupree. Not even close. Steelers need better players on D. Probably not gonna happen this year. And a good chance Adeniyi and Thomas will see very little playing time.

Makes me miss the days of Justin Brown and Derek Moye....and those debates about #4 WR.

 

Steelers D =