2020 OFFENSE/DEFENSE

FaCe-LeE-uS said:

Preachin to the choir.

Day-drank myself through damn near 25 cans of Coors Light (don't judge me, I was werewolf huntin with the boys) in 90deg heat by the lake while fishing & swimming for the 4th... And that was AFTER a full day of day drinking & doin the same exact thing the day before... I think my body is still not right lol

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Superbelt said:

Negotiations over, IMO.

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FaCe-LeE-uS said:

Well at least he's doin things on good faith... Signing the tag gives the Steelers all the power in negotiations

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Superbelt said:

What percentage of the time did he have his hand in the dirt?

He didn't spend his career on the line. He spent it as a linebacker, and he did a good bit of coverage.

He's not a DE, and never played like one. If he wants paid like a DE, he should make sure wherever he goes after this season plays him at DE.

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Superbelt said:

What percentage of the time did he have his hand in the dirt?

He didn't spend his career on the line. He spent it as a linebacker, and he did a good bit of coverage.

He's not a DE, and never played like one. If he wants paid like a DE, he should make sure wherever he goes after this season plays him at DE.

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ATL96Steeler said:

It's purely a play on the $2 mil or so gap in pay.

Dupree and TJ both drop into coverage on occasion as every Steeler 34 OLB before them has....it's part of the job.

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FaCe-LeE-uS said:

He's piggy-backing Shaq Barrett (IIRC) who filed the same grievance a week or 2 prior... Probably saw what he was doin and thought, why not.

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ATL96Steeler said:

Yeah, exactly...I've felt all along for Bud to get a long term deal done with the Steelers it would be on their number, realizing TJ's # will be top of the market.

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FaCe-LeE-uS said:

Yep, but he won't do it. No fault in that. He'll get paid more elsewhere and I'm fine with that. Bud showed out last year, but took him 4 years to finally realize his potential. Paying him top or near top market feels a little risky. If it were up to me I'd take 1 more year on the tag & then pass to let someone else overpay. Dupree’s first 4 years in the league produced a grand total of 20 sacks and TWO forced fumbles. Now keep in mind this is in a system that is designed to produce sacks and other stats for it’s OLBs. I have my doubts that he'll be a similar player elsewhere. TJ Watt surpassed him and so much MORE in just his first 2 seasons in the league.

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ATL96Steeler said:

We know what Bud is...a very athletic player that until this past season has never put it all together. On a stacked front 7...he produced. Much like Bell, if it's strictly about the contract and I get it if that's the case, but most likely he won't be part of a stacked front 7....we're already seeing with Clowney and even moreso Shaq Barrett...these teams are not going to toss millions at one yr of good production.

Yeah...he will get paid somewhere, especially if he balls out again...and I'll be happy for him, but on this team it's just not possible to pay both OLBs top of the market contracts.

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FaCe-LeE-uS said:

Nope. Just getting Watt under contract is going to be interesting. My guess is they pray that Ben is off the books by then.

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ATL96Steeler said:

Yeah...but imo they would be smart to do a Mahomes like move (timing wise...for a OLB of course)...and hopefully the new money will kick in when Ben is off the books.

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FaCe-LeE-uS said:

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ATL96Steeler said:

2020 Training Camp Battles: Starting Nose Tackle - Steelers Depot

At least the Steeler media realizes they have a potential problem brewing.

I still think ignoring this position this offseason will comeback to bite Tomlin....2 downs or not, they better be able to handle the run.

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