Steelers Dupree, Prove it Jones, Staying Neutral

The Pittsburgh Steelers have broken for the weekend from their second week of OTAs and as they rest and recover from the latest drills and practices we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, June 6^th.

You, me and Dupree

Someone was bound to make that joke eventually, huh? Steelers first-round pick linebacker Bud Dupree explained how welcomed he was by his linebackers teammates right after being drafted and now has a full week of work with the first-team defense under his belt.

"“The whole linebacker room called me after I got drafted. James Harrison called me, had a conversation. Jarvis Jones texted me, Arthur Moats texted me, Ryan Shazier texted me, Lawrence Timmons texted me.” – Bud Dupree"

I wonder if he had already had all of their numbers saved. Can you imagine getting a random call from a Pittsburgh-area code and James Harrison is on the line? Can you imagine if you screened that call?

The you, me and Dupree could very well refer to Jones, Shazier and Dupree, the three first-round picks by the Steelers the last three years who could break this team wide open if they all had stand-out performances this year.

Prove it Jarvis

Jarvis Jones was first in the Steelers line of three consecutive years of linebackers for their first-overall draft pick and he’s had some injury troubles that have kept him from contributing to the level that a first-round pick should be at this point in his career.

Jones has three sacks in his two-year NFL career so far and with the drafting of Bud Dupree, he could be looking at competition for his starting role on the team if he can’t recover from that wrist injury that sidelined him most of 2014. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Dupree and Jones could play together on the field if they win their respective roles.

However, if veterans James Harrison and Arthur Moats produce more, that leaves a competition for Dupree and Jones to see the field. Good healthy competition never hurt anybody but the Steelers defense needs some sacks out of these linebackers like there’s no friggin tomorrow.

Tomlin stays neutral

It’s not uncommon for Steelers head Coach Mike Tomlin to run into the University of Pittsburgh head coach, as they are roomies as far as the stadium and practice facilities are concerned. It was a sight to see this week when Penn State’s coach James Franklin stopped by Steelers OTAs and Tomlin got a picture with himself, Franklin and Pat Narduzzi, the Pitt Panthers head Coach.

The two PA teams used to be heated rivals but haven’t had a consistent annual game since the early 90s. They’ll renew their rivalry in 2016. Maybe Tomlin won’t be neutral then?

Next: Steelers Player Preview: Jesse James

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