Dupree activated; Heyward & Wheaton to IR

[86WARD]

If Timmons goes outside, there's a gaping hole inside. They may be able to address that issue via free agency. I expect them to be un-Steeler like this off-season and bring in a few if not more veteran talent. They should have a nice chunk of change to do so even after signing "their guys".

[Born2Steel]

I think when this secondary gets enough time to gel and develop (and I would hope for a better safety than Mitchell at some point) this defense will really turn into something special. Until then, I think Butler is going to do what he can to limit the chances they take...We need another solid pass rusher, (or let Timmons switch to OLB for a season or two until he hangs it up), but I think we have the makings of a great defense.

Heard Mike Golic this morning say, "If you're going to be good at only one thing on defense, be good at rushing the QB". They were talking about the Raiders, but wise words still. A good pass rush makes the entire rest of the defense better. Our DBs are playing well enough now that if we can start generating a consistent pass rush, this could turn quickly into a very good defense now.

[pczach]

I think when this secondary gets enough time to gel and develop (and I would hope for a better safety than Mitchell at some point) this defense will really turn into something special. Until then, I think Butler is going to do what he can to limit the chances they take...We need another solid pass rusher, (or let Timmons switch to OLB for a season or two until he hangs it up), but I think we have the makings of a great defense.

I agree.

They are now experienced. In my opinion, they are close to taking a giant leap forward. We may not see it until next year, but the talent is now there. Add a player or two, and this defense could be dynamite.

[teegre]

Heard Mike Golic this morning say, "If you're going to be good at only one thing on defense, be good at rushing the QB". They were talking about the Raiders, but wise words still. A good pass rush makes the entire rest of the defense better. Our DBs are playing well enough now that if we can start generating a consistent pass rush, this could turn quickly into a very good defense now.

Yep.

I've recounted on here, numerous times, Damien Woody's response to the question about "OLB vs CB".

In a nutshell, Woody stated:
"Darrelle Revis was the best player that I've ever played with. But... if I had to choose one player to have on defense, it'd be James Harrison. A good CB is able to take one player completely out of a game, but the QB could still go to his second and third options. Whereas, a good OLB disrupts the QB, which takes away ALL of his options."

[SteelMember]

I'm hoping we see more than one snap from Dupree tomorrow night...

[Rara]

Dupree should be 100% and ready to go if they activated him...one snap was ridiculous.

I see the Steelers going after a linebacker in the first round again.

Targets who I'd like to see in the draft:

Devonte Fields, OLB; Lousiville

Taco Charlton, DE; Michigan

Sam Hubbard, DE; Ohio State (I think he'll be this year's Joey Bosa)

Targets who I'd like to see in free agency:

Chandler Jones
Chad Greenway

[DesertSteel]

I'm hoping we see more than one snap from Dupree tomorrow night...

Two would be nice.

[pczach]

Two would be nice.

Whoa! Slow down there Smokey! We don't want to overwork him.

[cold-hard-steel]

Dupree could be a huge difference maker . Nothing can make your secondary better(less noticeable) than a good,consistant, strong pass rush . Little old school wisdom .

[teegre]

Dupree is being worked in slowly.

Hargrave is is looking very good at DE. (Last week, Tuitt stepped up his game; this week, it was Hargrave's turn.)

[86WARD]

He looked really good actually...

[Mojouw]

Hargrave is a far better DE right now than a DT. I think we are all going to see why he was drafted the next several weeks.

Dupree just makes me giggle when he is on the field. He is so much quicker and more athletic than any other linebacker on the roster not named Shazier

[SteelerFanInStl]

Hargrave is a far better DE right now than a DT. I think we are all going to see why he was drafted the next several weeks.

Dupree just makes me giggle when he is on the field. He is so much quicker and more athletic than any other linebacker on the roster not named Shazier

I agree on both points. I don't think that Hargrave is stout enough to be a good NT. Dupree can be a monster in our D. He has the size, strength, speed and athleticism needed.

[teegre]

Hargrave is a far better DE right now than a DT. I think we are all going to see why he was drafted the next several weeks.

Next season, when Heyward comes back, I would love to see a 67%, 66%, 66% split at DE, between Heyward, Tuitt, & Hargrave.

Keep them well rested, and in turn, the three of them can go "all out" when they are on the field.


I know that we all want an OLB in R1, but maybe NT Lowell Lotulelei gets some consideration...

[Psycho Ward 86]

He looked really good actually...

What did you see? I didnt pay nearly enough attention to Bud during the game, but i do recall a play where he really whooped the Colts LT who is supposed to be the one legit OL on that squad

[86WARD]

What did you see? I didnt pay nearly enough attention to Bud during the game, but i do recall a play where he really whooped the Colts LT who is supposed to be the one legit OL on that squad

I was referring to Hargrave. Dupree I saw flying around a few times...looked like Jarvis Jones to be honest...lol

[Mojouw]

For Dupree, there was one play that sums it up for me. He started over the tackle, took a step or two to the outside and then looped into the center guard gap. On the way he took another half step towards the guard to fake him out.

Basically with itch speed and quickness he held the tackle outside, almost made the guard trip over his own two feet and came roaring up the middle for a hit on he QB.

Jarvis couldn't accomplish all that in 3 plays, let alone the 3 seconds Dupree did it in.

[tube517]

I was referring to Hargrave. Dupree I saw flying around a few times...looked like Jarvis Jones to be honest...lol

Dupree had 2 tackles in 20 snaps.


Jarvis won the Stupid Mannequin challenge in 26 snaps.

[Psycho Ward 86]

For Dupree, there was one play that sums it up for me. He started over the tackle, took a step or two to the outside and then looped into the center guard gap. On the way he took another half step towards the guard to fake him out.

Basically with itch speed and quickness he held the tackle outside, almost made the guard trip over his own two feet and came roaring up the middle for a hit on he QB.

Jarvis couldn't accomplish all that in 3 plays, let alone the 3 seconds Dupree did it in.

thats encouraging i suppose, but kind of what we expect of him from a physical standpoint. how was his hand fighting? thats the one thing thats going to take his game to a whole different level