Bud Dupree

Steelers' Bud Dupree hit rookie wall last year

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree admitted he hit the rookie wall last season.

What It Means:

The 22nd overall pick last spring, Dupree earned four sacks in his first eight games, but failed to hit the quarterback in his next 10, including the Steelers' playoff games. "I just was not being used to playing that many games," said Dupree. "Now I’m more prepared for that. I’ve been training longer, doing different things that I didn’t have the time to do coming from college." Dupree says he is following the lead of teammate James Harrison, whose fitness routine has kept him in the league and effective into his late 30's. Dupree taking the next step would go a long way to ensuring the Steelers make another deep playoff run.

The Steelers' defense -- for all of their reported troubles -- still ranked 11th in the league in Adjusted Defensive Passing Net Expected Points last season.