Steelers Report Card: Grading the franchise tagging of Bud Dupree

The Pittsburgh Steelers felt that putting the franchise tag for a one-year deal worth $15.828 million dollars They failed to consult anyone of us. But that’s okay. The right people are paid to make those decisions, while we judge from afar.

For some reason, I’ve been given the responsibility to rate the performance of Kevin Colbert, Omar Khan and company on nothing but speculation. It’s not easy, but I’ll give it a whirl. Despite my less than prestigious BTSC teaching certificate, I have to issue the necessary disclaimer. You know the story; of course, I’m not a football coach, or a teacher, but I play one in blogs and podcasts. All offseason, I had certain expectations that the Steelers would have to be quarantined because of no cap space...but they found some magic beans.

Grading personnel decisions is even tougher than grading games. We have to wait nearly six months to actually know if our grades our on the money. This time I decided to enlist my friends to help. Since I don’t have any...I recruited a few of my colleagues at BTSC. They resisted, but relented. But I now have to name my next four kids Jeffy, Little Big Swa, Deputy Dave, Silent Bob and Ant-née. Joke’s on them though. I’m as sterile as a government test lab now.

With that being electronically said, let’s take a look at BTSC’s early perceptions:

OLB - Alvin “Bud” Dupree

Overall Grade: B

Dupree took awhile to truly stand out, but he did last year in a ginormous way with 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Combining with T.J. Watt for another year means 26 sacks return to the unit that was the strength, heart and soul of the Steelers. Pittsburgh may have swallowed a huge salary in bringing back Dupree for what could be only one season, but if Ben Roethlisberger comes back healthy and fixes the offense...this team can be dangerous if the defense can replicate games 3-16 of 2019. Dupree was a huge part of that.

Dave Schofield: C

Dupree is second only to Roethlisberger with the salary cap hit on the 2020 season, so it’s a steep price for the Steelers weakest link from 2019 along the defensive front. Having no other option at the position is the only thing keeping the score average.

Jeff Hartman: B

The Steelers lack of depth left them no choice when tagging Bud Dupree. The team has a window to win, and having that bookend pass rusher is key.

K.T. Smith: B+

it was a move we pretty much had to make. It was the right move, in my opinion. The risk, of course, is in whether Dupree can duplicate his 2019 production. If not, $15 million is going to be an awful lot for five sacks.

Lance Williams: C+

Retaining Dupree keeps the Pass Potent and positions the Steelers defense to continue its defensive dominance into the 2020 season

Tony Defeo: A

A steep price to pay, but the window to win is closing fast.

Bryan Anthony Davis: B+

Some moves you just have to make. One year at a hefty price is better than a huge void at a very important defensive position.

Now it is your turn to play teacher. Use the polls and the comments section below. We can compare notes in the teachers lounge.