Dupree ready for his debut
LATROBE — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree can’t wait for the opportunity to sack an opposing quarterback.
The team’s first-round pick hasn’t yet been able to fully unleash through two weeks of training camp practices. Dupree will finally get the chance Sunday when the Steelers meet the Minnesota Vikings in the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
“I’m very excited about this,” Dupree said. “I’m just looking forward to going out and making plays.”
Dupree has excelled at practice, good news for the Steelers, who drafted the former Kentucky standout to aid a pass rush that has recently struggled to reach the quarterback. Pittsburgh finished 26th last season with just 33 sacks, four years removed from totaling a league-best 48 sacks, which helped the Steelers to a Super Bowl appearance.
They hope Dupree can help produce similar results.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker, selected No. 22 overall, is a rare and unique combination of power, size and speed, a versatile impact player that who in rush situations, coverage and run support.
“He’s a big guy and he’s explosive,” running back Le’Veon Bell said. “Not only that, but he has great jump and pass rush moves. He has everything you would ask for in an outside linebacker.”
Bell would know. The All-Pro running back was forced to go one-on-one with Dupree and block the first-round pick during blitz pickup drills at training camp.
“He’s a great pass rusher and he does a great job of anticipating the snap,” Bell said. “As soon as the ball is snapped, he’s gone and that’s something you really can’t coach.”
Bell has taken it upon himself to help Dupree off the field, showing the rookie how to take care of his body and recuperate.
“I kind of took him by my side, put him in the cold tub and made sure he’s doing the hot tub and taking care of his body because he’s going to be a good player for us,” Bell said. We’re going to need him throughout the course of the season.”
