LATROBE, Pa. – In his two seasons Bud Dupree has accounted for 8.5 sacks in regular season play, four as a rookie, and 4.5 last year when he only played in seven games, spending the first part of the season on the injured reserve/designated to return list.
This year, he wants the number to grow. The question is by how much?
"I just want to get as many as I can," said Dupree. "I don't want to put a limit on it. I want as many as I can."
That answer comes as no surprise from Dupree, who continually is growing and developing. He comes into the 2017 healthy, at a comfortable 253 pounds after dropping weight over a year ago and keeping in shape since.
"I thought you had to be big to play in the league," said Dupree. "I am starting to see it's not about that. It's about being on the field long, having a lot of stamina. Being on the field for every play, every down, and still being strong.
"You can be more explosive. When you are heavier you can't run as fast, as far."
Bullish on Watt: Rookie T.J. Watt is making an impression early on in training camp, and while the way he uses his hands has been talked about plenty, it was his bull-rush that stood out.
"The first rush I think it's really important to show the power," said Watt. "I just wanted to get out there and try to get better, I'm not always going to use the hands and I want to get better, that's what training camp is for.
"I'm developing everything about my game but definitely anything in the pass rush is a key emphasis for me. Obviously, I would like to use my hands but at times I am trying to do other moves. That's why I'm not expecting to be successful at each and every attempt and that's why it's training camp. I am trying to work on many different things and see what works best for me."
Today's leftovers: With the players enjoying a day off, there is no better time to share some of what was said, that you might not have heard, at camp yesterday.
Ramon Foster on if he likes seeing Cameron Heyward back on the field in pads:
"For the fans yeah, for me and him back and forth, no. Cam is a guy that gets me prepared for games. I hope I do the same for him. To go against him, have his leadership on the field for those guys, it's a different tempo. It's like when Maurkice (Pouncey) is down for us. Having Cam on that defensive front seven for sure is captain status. He deserves all of that."
T.J. Watt on the difference he notices from college to the NFL:
"As a rookie it's the conditioning part of it. We are getting so many reps. You are on every special team. Deebo (William Gay) is not training. I want as many reps as I can get, but at the same time I have to be smart and take care of my body to get those reps."
Fitzgerald Toussaint on starting off strong with the pads on:
"My motto is never get comfortable. Come in here on a daily basis and put in the work that needs to be put in."
