Steelers News: Is Bud Dupree’s successor preparing for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine?

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether or not a pass rusher might be preparing for the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

Let’s get to the news:

• There is a real chance the Steelers don’t keep Bud Dupree in 2020. If they don’t, his successor might be preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

Could Steelers be scouting Bud Dupree’s successor at NFL Combine?

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Keeping Bud Dupree on the payroll — at least for the 2020 season — is a priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That’s what coach Mike Tomlin emphatically said the day after the 2019 season ended. His statement was affirmed by team president Art Rooney II and general manager Kevin Colbert in recent weeks.

The path to keeping Dupree on the roster for his sixth NFL season likely rests in the franchise tag the Steelers can exercise anytime between Tuesday and March 10. If the Steelers use the tag on Dupree, his salary will be locked in at approximately $16.2 million, and the two sides would have until July 15 to sign a long-term contract that could potentially reduce that salary cap figure for 2020.

In the event the Steelers have a change of heart and decide to let Dupree test free agency, they could find his replacement early in the NFL Draft — with the No. 49 overall pick or with their anticipated compensatory pick at the end of the third round. The scouting process continues this week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• When it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback, not many do it better than the Steelers.

Steelers brought the heat in 2019

By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com

The Steelers sacked quarterbacks an NFL-leading 54 times in 2019.

The final defensive series on Dec. 8 at Arizona, which included sacks No. 47 and No. 48 on the season, was as representative as any in illustrating the impact of the pass rush.

The Cardinals got the ball back at their 25-yard line with 1:42 remaining in regulation and the Steelers leading by six.

On first-and-10, defensive tackle Cam Heyward got to quarterback Kyler Murray for a loss of 5.

On second-and-15, Murray fought off contact from defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and outside linebacker Bud Dupree but stumbled and fumbled and eventually fell on the ball for a loss of 6.

On-third-and-22, Murray threw incomplete under intense pressure.

And on fourth-and-22, Murray was flushed backwards by Heyward, rolled left and managed a downfield heave just before being buried by outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Cornerback Joe Haden came up with the interception that put the exclamation point on a 23-17 triumph.

”When we got that four-man rush, we really lit our hair on fire,” Heyward said.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers home field advantage is real.

Home is where the wins are

By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com

It wasn’t all Celebrity Terrible Towel Twirls, Super Bowl championship anniversaries and the anticipated response at just the right moment to another rousing rendition of “Renegade.”

The Steelers also endured some painful moments at Heinz Field in 2019.

It’s where they lost a game to the Ravens in overtime following a fumble by wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

It’s where they lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the season when he couldn’t answer the bell for the second half of the home opener against the Seahawks.

But they still managed to win more than they lost at home.

It’s what they do.

It’s what they’ve almost always done at Heinz Field since they opened the facility in 2001.

This season’s 5-3 showing at home marked the 19th time in 19 tries the Steelers have avoided a losing record at Heinz.

The closest they came was a 4-4 effort on the way to a 6-10 finish in 2003.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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