For the first time since joining the Tennessee Titans on a five-year, $82.5 million deal, outside linebacker Bud Dupree sat down for an interview to share his thoughts on coming to Nashville.
Long story short, we like him a lot already.
There are no doubt some concerns about Dupree from the jump. He’s coming off a torn ACL suffered in December and some have questioned if his past sack production was more a result of having a stellar cast around him with the Pittsburgh Steelers than anything else.
However, there is no doubt about a few things.
Dupree will work hard and try to earn every penny of his lucrative deal, and he’s going to give maximum effort on every single play, as he told “J-Mart and Ramon” on 104.5 The Zone.
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What a quote. @Bud_Dupree on this opportunity. “I’m gonna hit! You’re not just gonna pay me and I’m gonna chill.” (About earning every penny and his work ethic.) @JMartandRamon
— Jason Martin (@JMartRadio) March 18, 2021
New #Titans OLB Bud Dupree on @1045TheZone: I’m not turning away from any physical battles
— Buck Reising
(@BuckReising) March 18, 2021
While the label of pass rusher is rightly applied to Dupree, he also excels as a run defender, and it’s clear the 28-year-old is confident in his abilities in that area.
Dupree says of his play: “Nobody plays the run like me. I can’t think of one.”
— Jason Martin (@JMartRadio) March 18, 2021
After Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush was lost for the season in 2020, Dupree actually helped out a bit inside and brings the kind of versatility that head coach Mike Vrabel loves in his defenders.
As far as his injury is concerned, Dupree dished on that topic as well, and noted that he should be a full go by May.
Dupree on his rehabilitation process: This process has been a humbling one. It tore me down the first two days because I was thinking I tore my ACL in a contract year…Now, I’m back and I’m gonna be ready for the season #Titans @1045TheZone
— Buck Reising
Bud Dupree told @JMartandRamon in his interview that he “should” be cleared in May to go full steam from his ACL injury. #Titans
— Titans247 (@NFL_Titans247) March 18, 2021
In early March, Dupree said he expects to be a full participant for training camp after getting positive feedback from his doctors, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, so that’s certainly great news.
Here’s a video of him hard at work in his rehab that was posted on March 13:
— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) March 13, 2021
Some other interesting nuggets from Dupree’s interview: he and Tennessee defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons actually trained together last offseason, working on their pass-rush moves, and Dupree revealed he was a Titans fan growing up and admired Eddie George.
LB @Bud_Dupree tells us he and @GrindSimmons94 trained last offseason together and worked on pass rush techniques together, in answer to how much pride he took in working with Cam Heyward… that he can’t wait to team up with Jeff and this @Titans defense.
— Jason Martin (@JMartRadio) March 18, 2021
Just now, @Bud_Dupree told us the @Titans were his favorite team growing up… was a huge fan of @EddieGeorge2727 and those teams in particular – he’s so happy to be in Nashville. @JMartandRamon
— Jason Martin (@JMartRadio) March 18, 2021
Whatever your opinion is of Dupree and the deal the Titans signed him to, I think we can all agree that this won’t be another Vic Beasley situation, especially from an effort standpoint.
This interview only made us more eager to see the Titans’ newest edge rusher get to work.
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