Listeners of The Unofficial Titans Podcast know I was a little lukewarm on the prospects of signing Bud Dupree to a massive contract. On one hand, I thought him to be a pure pass rusher, and that’s exactly what the Tennessee Titans needed – a fucking thoroughbred. On the other, I knew he’d command a lot of money, and I read all the takes about his ACL and how some pundits thought he was just the product of a really talented Pittsburgh Steelers defense, and that seemed a little too risky considering his price tag. Well, folks – I’m here to hold myself accountable and say I was wrong.
I’ve come around on the Bud Dupree signing for a couple of reasons – one, the Titans have beefed up the front seven around him by also adding Denico Autry and re-signing Jayon Brown. We know how capable Harold Landry is of being a solid #2 in the pass rush rotation, and I don’t expect that the Titans are finished at the position either. They have pieces there, and it’s not like they’re just plugging Dupree into the same defense that couldn’t do shit a season ago. Second, if you read up on ACL injuries in the modern NFL, it’s not quite the death nail that it used to be! I’m an old head – with my 34 year old ass. I remember the days when if you tore an ACL, you could pretty much bet on the fact that your career would never be the same. So, if you were like me, and a little skeptical about Dupree before free agency started, do yourself a favor and brush up on the guy.
New #Titans edge rusher Bud Dupreepic.twitter.com/F4MLfVzAia
— Mike Herndon (@MikeMiracles) March 16, 2021
One thing I hadn’t noticed about Dupree was how those feet keep moving when offensive linemen get their hands on him. He’s a relentless rusher that wins one on one battles and gets in the backfield, either effecting quarterbacks or stuffing the run, in a heartbeat. I didn’t know he had such a nasty spin move in his arsenal either. His footwork is great, too – the dude positions himself to make plays with a strong plant-and-go and an obvious understanding of leveraging angles to disrupt opposing offenses. This is pass rush porn if you believe in such a thing.
Your drive ends NOW‼️@Bud_Dupree | CBS https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/eClfEghs55
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
Forgive me – I forget which Titans creator shared this play on Twitter, but I know it’s in my podcast notes (wherever they are) and I know I shout him out on the show. But, this play, to me, really embodies the layers at which Dupree plays the position. He dodges the tight end and the leap frogs the running back as he tries to chop Dupree down. Lamar Jackson thinks he’s getting away, but there’s that plant-and-go from Dupree. He knocks that ball out and the Steelers are in business. The man is a heat-seeking missile, and now, I admittedly find myself completely stoked to see what this man can do to bolster the Titans pass rush.
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Listen to “Ep. 57: Bud Dupree and the Free Agent Haul So Far” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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