Bud Dupree

[ATL96Steeler]

www.steelersdepot.com/2018/04/steelers-pick-up-fifth-year-option-on-olb-bud-dupree/

Games played: 38, 24 started.

Sacks: 14.7

Tackles: 67

FF: 1

PD: 3

I think this was an expected move, but there are a lot of people in Steeler Nation thinking this was a mistake. Those stats above are his career totals to date...Bud will count $2.9 mil against the '18 cap...the final yr of his rookie deal and '19 it ramps up to $9.2 mil.

My thoughts...this isn't a signing that you jump and down over in a positive or negative way. Personally I think Bud is capable of more, but imo he's probably never going to be a consistent dbl digit sack guy. He's a solid player that clearly the FO looks at as glass half full.

I'm okay with the signing, but I hope they give Adams, Chickillo (who also signed his 1 yr tender), rookie etc. a shot to play if Bud is hovering around the Mendoza line with 4 sacks at week 10.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It's difficult to judge these edge guys anymore given the nature of how the position has changed... They are no longer clear cut edge guys (set the edge or rush the QB), rather they are dropping into coverage or sliding into the flats more. Dupree is still a freakish athlete capable of covering a lot of ground, which I don't think he gets enough credit for. But he's not quite the elite tackler they need him to be. I have mixed feeling on his pass rush ability. We have seen problems with shedding blocks consistently so its fair to wonder if he'll ever be a dominant force. But given his quickness he can get to the QB faster than anyone on the roster (sans Shazier) SO LONG AS he beats the D-lineman in front of him. That's never more apparent than when he runs a stunt blitz inside over Heyward's hip. No O-lineman can adjust fast enough because he's coming in so fast and Heyward is eating up so much attention. But we've seen him get around OTs flashing great potential, just not consistently.

I agree that its not exactly a bad or good 5th year pickup. He still has the upside to improve so the optimist inside me is happy with it.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It's difficult to judge these edge guys anymore given the nature of how the position has changed... They are no longer clear cut edge guys (set the edge or rush the QB), rather they are dropping into coverage or sliding into the flats more. Dupree is still a freakish athlete capable of covering a lot of ground, which I don't think he gets enough credit for. But he's not quite the elite tackler they need him to be. I have mixed feeling on his pass rush ability. We have seen problems with shedding blocks consistently so its fair to wonder if he'll ever be a dominant force. But given his quickness he can get to the QB faster than anyone on the roster (sans Shazier) SO LONG AS he beats the D-lineman in front of him. That's never more apparent than when he runs a stunt blitz inside over Heyward's hip. No O-lineman can adjust fast enough because he's coming in so fast and Heyward is eating up so much attention. But we've seen him get around OTs flashing great potential, just not consistently.

I agree that its not exactly a bad or good 5th year pickup. He still has the upside to improve so the optimist inside me is happy with it.

Post #3 really makes it a no brainer decision, but Dupree has developed his share of haters.

I think as Steeler fans, we've been spoiled over the years, but when you look back over the last half dz drafts, you don't see many elite edge rushers drafted in the 20s or later. I think 2 guys I would call elite...Cameron Jordan, NO (24th), Mercilus (26th, 38.5 sks) I wouldn't call Nick Perry elite, but counting him anyway (28th, 30.5 sks).

We might be able to dig a little deeper and find another 1 or two decent performers but looking at Dupree's draft class.

Dante Fowler (3) 12 sks, Leonard Williams (6) 12 sks, Bud, (22) 14.5 sks, Shane Ray (23) 13 sks.

Nothing special at all in the 1st round...a few guys stood out later, but I'm thinking all of these guys had the 5th yr picked up if I'm not mistaken.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Post #3 really makes it a no brainer decision, but Dupree has developed his share of haters.

I think as Steeler fans, we've been spoiled over the years, but when you look back over the last half dz drafts, you don't see many elite edge rushers drafted in the 20s or later. I think 2 guys I would call elite...Cameron Jordan, NO (24th), Mercilus (26th, 38.5 sks) I wouldn't call Nick Perry elite, but counting him anyway (28th, 30.5 sks).

We might be able to dig a little deeper and find another 1 or two decent performers but looking at Dupree's draft class.

Dante Fowler (3) 12 sks, Leonard Williams (6) 12 sks, Bud, (22) 14.5 sks, Shane Ray (23) 13 sks.

Nothing special at all in the 1st round...a few guys stood out later, but I'm thinking all of these guys had the 5th yr picked up if I'm not mistaken.

Great info ATL! And all good points.

Really tough for the average fan to understand this misconception:

you don't see many elite edge rushers drafted in the 20s or later.

And yes we Steeler fans have been indeed VERY spoiled over the years when it comes to OLBs so often times we are harshly critical of the current players.

As you said, it's still possible to find playmakers later in the draft, but its not as easy as the Steelers have lucked out over the years. Also have to wonder with the way football has changed over the last few decades makes you wonder if they are taking the "dogs" out of the game.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Great info ATL! And all good points.

Really tough for the average fan to understand this misconception:


And yes we Steeler fans have been indeed VERY spoiled over the years when it comes to OLBs so often times we are harshly critical of the current players.

As you said, it's still possible to find playmakers later in the draft, but its not as easy as the Steelers have lucked out over the years. Also have to wonder with the way football has changed over the last few decades makes you wonder if they are taking the "dogs" out of the game.

The short passing game has somewhat neutralized the wide rushers. Still kinda makes you wonder about BB sometimes. I mean who can argue with his record, but when you see very little edge pressure in NE and Chandler Jones led the league in sacks. But that's what you need...some dogs on the edge!

Fortunately the Steelers have some DL dogs that can get pressure...maybe that's why Butler is more willing to drop his OLBs into coverage more than it appears that LeBeau did.

 

[SteelersPride]

#3 makes it a no brainer but he hasnt beeen great

 

[ATL96Steeler]

#3 makes it a no brainer but he hasnt beeen great

Exactly...I think he needs 8+ to make it stick, but if he has 6 sacks, 2 FF, 4-5 PD, i.e. an good all around season, they will keep the 5th yr intact.

 

[SteelersPride]

Exactly...I think he needs 8+ to make it stick, but if he has 6 sacks, 2 FF, 4-5 PD, i.e. an good all around season, they will keep the 5th yr intact.

Agreed

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It disturbs me that Dupree feels like he is hanging his hat on the “almost”. Sure it’s good to have confidence, but in this candid situation I’d prefer he be more critical of himself. Maybe I’m reading it wrong... but he comes off as a bit of a pompous ass here. He should have just said the 2nd part & left it at that. Why waste time talking about false accolades that don’t amount to jack shit?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Not to mention we hear this same story every year... He’s close to being a good to dominant OLB, but has yet to close the gap. How many years have we been hearing that? 3-4 now?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not to mention we hear this same story every year... He’s close to being a good to dominant OLB, but has yet to close the gap. How many years have we been hearing that? 3-4 now?

I'm not as down on Bud as some others....I think there is a place on the team for him, but just not at $9 mil per. If the FO doesn't know what he is by now, you really have to question what they're watching... but obviously he feels the need to give an excuse for his lack of stellar production.

Bottomline...the guy has one pass rush move...one, if that doesn't work, he's just expending energy. Butler is going to have to scheme with him...stunts, loops, overloads anything that would give him a free run at the QB or be blocked by a WR or something. Lining him up against the LT all game...he's going to have 4-6 sacks.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm not as down on Bud as some others....I think there is a place on the team for him, but just not at $9 mil per. If the FO doesn't know what he is by now, you really have to question what they're watching... but obviously he feels the need to give an excuse for his lack of stellar production.

Bottomline...the guy has one pass rush move...one, if that doesn't work, he's just expending energy. Butler is going to have to scheme with him...stunts, loops, overloads anything that would give him a free run at the QB or be blocked by a WR or something. Lining him up against the LT all game...he's going to have 4-6 sacks.

I completely agree with you. I’m not down on him, just simply know what type of limited player he is.

I’m just growing tired of the offseason optimism surrounding him. If he was ever going to “break out”, he would have done so already.

He is a scheme-dependent edge guy, and people need to start digesting that. He’s never going to be the transcendent talent that people want him to be.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I’m just growing tired of the offseason optimism surrounding him. If he was ever going to “break out”, he would have done so already.

He is a scheme-dependent edge guy, and people need to start digesting that. He’s never going to be the transcendent talent that people want him to be.

Bingo!!! I don't bother to take the optimism seriously. We know the only reason they are paying this $9 mil to this guy is they don't feel they have anybody even as good. We also know as the FO does, they were not going to get a better edge guy in FA with the cap hit they're paying him.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Bingo!!! I don't bother to take the optimism seriously. We know the only reason they are paying this $9 mil to this guy is they don't feel they have anybody even as good. We also know as the FO does, they were not going to get a better edge guy in FA with the cap hit they're paying him.

Yep. And I think Tomlin & Butler will always be enamored with Bud. Like we’ve always said, his ability to cover ground allows Butler to do a lot of different things in his scheming. It’s something that obviously doesn’t show up on the stat sheets, but this is why we both think he’s still a good OLB in this system. But as you said, $9m... that’s our hangup.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

In short... buyer beware to any team next offseason bidding for his services. If you’re expecting a pure pass-rush specialist, you’ll be severely disappointed.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

In short... buyer beware to any team next offseason bidding for his services. If you’re expecting a pure pass-rush specialist, you’ll be severely disappointed.

I hope Dupree lights it up with 10+ and the FO makes us all look like the rank amateurs that we are.

I wouldn’t mind him in Chick’s role next yr. @ $3mil per

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I hope Dupree lights it up with 10+ and the FO makes us all look like the rank amateurs that we are.

I wouldn’t mind him in Chick’s role next yr. @ $3mil per

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[ATL96Steeler]

More of the same...gotta have a move off the hand work to get free, I did see a little dip move there...needs more bend to get past a real OT imo, but let's see if we even see it during the season.