Could Bud Dupree Be The Answer At OLB?

[Steeler Nation]

Whoa now Adam, hot take central with these articles! First saying the Steelers are going to beat the Patriots in week one, and now this? Someone had too much fun on Saturday!* All joking aside, were going to take a brief look at Bud Dupree’s performance, focusing on last year, and then I’m going to […]

More...

 

[slashsteel]

Part of me thinks he has topped out. Statistically not overall impressive. But not horrible either.

I am ok with Bud, especially if they lower his cap hit.

I think the position is definitely upgradable.If the value is there.

Is the the answer? no. Is he a bust? no

Can he improve ? sure

Will he?

Your guess is as good as mine...

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Nothing in his history to this point suggests he will ever be much better. He's had four years for the light to go on. Maybe a new LB coach will help but I wouldn't bank on it.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Click bait. No

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Maybe the new LB coach can figure out that certain guys like Watt and VW need to be sent to pressure more frequently, and in Williams' case sent much more frequently and in coverage a lot less.

6th highest pressure % in the league for Vincenzo is a crazy stat. He may bring better pressure off the edge than Bud does if given the opportunities, and at a way lower cap hit. I remember them experimenting with sending Vince from the outside in preseason and he looked pretty decent when they stacked him right behind the RDE and let the 2 run stunt games together.

 

[Steelerfan81]

Click bait. No

Do you even have any idea of what click bait is? Don't ever accuse this web site of click bait ever again.

 

[Steelerfan81]

Bud is average. He works his tail off, but he just hasn't been able to transition it from the practice field to the game situation. He's never gonna live up to his draft status, but he isn't a bust in my opinion. Maybe he will break out this season.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Justin. Anyone on this site knows bud blows goats. To insinuate we have our answer is bull ****. We need an OLB is my answer. My opinion is the same as spikes. Gg

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

When bud makes 10 sacks per yr, Or is able to hold the edge I guess we can talk.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Not everyone is going to be a star and solid is fine. He really underperformed for his draft. This should he last season.

 

[Ike Kelly]

Was there/is there any FA available with similar or better production at that cap hit? Looking at some of these starter contracts....Dupree is a bargain, who btw already knows the system. Bud always reminded me of a faster Clark Haggans to Joey Porter. May not expect him to put big up numbers, but he’s solid and will help Watt on the other side.

Edge Defenders

DeMarcus Lawrence (26) -- Franchise Tagged by DAL
Jadeveon Clowney (26) -- Franchise Tagged by HOU
Frank Clark (25) -- Franchise Tagged by SEA
Dee Ford (28) -- Signed 5-year, $87.5M deal with SF
Trey Flowers (25) -- Signed 5-year, $90M deal with DET
Preston Smith (26) -- Signed 4-year, $52M deal with GB
Za’Darius Smith (26) -- Signed 4-year, $66M deal with GB
Justin Houston (30) -- Signed 2-year, $24M deal with IND
Ezekiel Ansah (29)
Dante Fowler (24) -- Re-signed 1-year, $12M deal with LAR
Brandon Graham (31) -- Re-signed 3-year, $40M deal with PHI
Markus Golden (28) -- Signed 1-year, $3.75M deal with NYG
Nick Perry (29)
Terrell Suggs (36) -- Signed 2-year, $10M deal with ARZ
Shane Ray (25)
Clay Matthews (32) -- Signed 2-year, $9.25M deal with LAR
Adrian Clayborn (30) -- Signed 1-year deal with ATL
Shaq Barrett (26) -- Signed 1-year, $4M deal with TB
Derrick Morgan (30)
Julius Peppers (39) -- Announced retirement on 2/1
Cameron Wake (37) -- Signed 3-year, $23M deal with TEN
Alex Okafor (28) -- Signed 3-year, $18M deal with KC
Vinny Curry (30) -- Signed 1-year, $2.25M deal with PHI
Dion Jordan (29)
John Simon (28) -- Re-signed 2-year, $4.125M deal with NE
Benson Mayowa (27) -- Signed 1-year deal with OAK
Aaron Lynch (26) -- Re-signed 1-year deal with CHI
William Hayes (33)
Bruce Irvin (31) -- Signed 1-year, $4M deal with CAR
Cassius Marsh (26) -- Re-signed 1-year deal with SEA
Pernell McPhee (30)
Derrick Shelby (30)
Steven Means (29) -- Re-signed 1-year, $895K deal with ATL
Brandon Copeland (27) -- Re-signed 1-year, $1.25M deal with NYJ
Kony Ealy (27)
Wes Horton (29)
Matt Longacre (27)
Anthony Chickillo (26) -- Re-signed 2-year, $8M deal with PIT
Geneo Grissom (26)
Eli Harold (25) -- Signed 1-year deal with BUF
Frank Zombo (32)
Jerry Attaochu (26) -- Signed 1-year deal with KC
Brooks Reed (32) -- Signed 1-year, $1.625M deal with ARZ
Connor Barwin (32)
Michael Johnson (32)
Andre Branch (29)
Frostee Rucker (35)
Sam Acho (30)
Josh Martin (27)


Sent from my iPad using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Drink IRON City]

Accept the fact his draft position will always be higher than his play has merited. BUD isn't nearly as bad as many here believe but again not living up to draft position. Just a little bit of step up could be a huge difference in Bud's overall performance. He is quick and strong but I feel he is under coached to this point. Maybe the new LB coach can improve him..... We will see.


Salute the nation

 

[Litos]

Didn't dupree play injured last season? He might improve if healthy, also it would explain why the team kept him, he had the heart and guts to play through pain.


Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Superman]

IMO, this is Bud's last year here.

if he becomes the Bud we hoped he'd be when drafted, he'll price himself out of here.
if he continues to be the Average Bud we've seen, we'll seek better options.

In fact, I'd not be surprised one bit if we hedge on our bets and take Winovich in Round 2.

 

[oicu8ad]

I had high hopes for Bud Dupree. But maybe I was just high, and had hopes.

 

[bermudasteel]

Justin. Anyone on this site knows bud blows goats. To insinuate we have our answer is bull ****. We need an OLB is my answer. My opinion is the same as spikes. Gg

Your choice of 'terminology' was poor. No one is disputing your opinion of Bud...

 

[bermudasteel]

IMO, this is Bud's last year here.

if he becomes the Bud we hoped he'd be when drafted, he'll price himself out of here.
if he continues to be the Average Bud we've seen, we'll seek better options.

In fact, I'd not be surprised one bit if we hedge on our bets and take Winovich in Round 2.

Methinks that a new LB coach to replace "I got shot in the arse" Porter should be the difference. But time will tell...

 

[21STEELERS21]

His new linebacker coach is the same defensive coordinator that has been coaching him anyway. Bud could improve if the overall defensive personnel improves.
Better players surrounding you sometimes covers some of your flaws.

 

[steelhurt]

Keep Cool Shades away from the defense which should help.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Hines57]

Bud is average. He works his tail off, but he just hasn't been able to transition it from the practice field to the game situation. He's never gonna live up to his draft status, but he isn't a bust in my opinion. Maybe he will break out this season.

OverDurpee is good at rushing the QB, below average at stopping the run and even worse at coverage. To me he's an incomplete player who is continually out of position to make plays. He's a guy you let walk in UFA like Ziggy Hood.

 

[Bobby Bufford]

Part of me thinks he has topped out. Statistically not overall impressive. But not horrible either.

I am ok with Bud, especially if they lower his cap hit.

I think the position is definitely upgradable.If the value is there.

Is the the answer? no. Is he a bust? no

Can he improve ? sure

Will he?

Your guess is as good as mine...

He doesn't qualify as a total bust, but I bet if you were a fly on the wall in a coach discussion, off the record, they'd admit he is a disappointment.

A lot comes down to how critical OLB is to a 3-4 system. I think the talk about how the OLB is no longer the prime QB pressure position in Pitt D is an excuse by the staff.

Bud never really developed or improved. He has size and straight away speed, but one thing he has never had is "lean." He can't "bend" well on the run, towards the QB. That is why
you often (far too often) see him blow by the QB at 100 MPH and end up nowhere near him. I think they thought they could "coach him up" in the area but it's mostly something
you either have or you don't.

Again, he's not worthless, like Jarvis Jones was (one of the worst Pitt 1st rounders in a while...well, Burns is about as bad). But he'll never be confused for Lloyd, Harrison or Porter.

I don't think we will feel "good" about the D until we have a 12-sack guy at OLB other than TJ.

 

[F83]

hopefully a nreal lb coach can teach him for e than the bull rush i.e swim, and rip

 

[xjx]

**** Dupree.

 

[ExUSAF]

Whether or not Dupress is the answer depends on the question. As in who is the least competent OLB on the Steeler roster now?

 

[Coryea]

No he's not the answer. He's been here 4 seasons, I doubt he's suddenly going to get it.
The problem is he's not good at anything, not good at sacking the QB, not good in pass coverage, not good at setting the edge.
Not every player can be a pro bowl player, but they have to be decent at some aspects of the game

Sent from my XT1585 using Steeler Nation mobile app