PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree hopes hes setting himself up for a breakout second season.Dupree, the teams first-round draft pick in 2015, admittedly hit a wall during his rookie year, but hes working to change that this season. Not only does Dupree have a better understanding of the Steeler defense, he also dropped some weight and worked on techniques to improve his pass-rushing abilities.I just feel like Im way ahead of the curve than I was last year, Dupree said. Its just being more confident on the field.The Steelers used a rotation at outside linebacker last season between Dupree, 2013 first-round pick Jarvis Jones, Arthur Moats and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler hasnt said if the rotation will continue this season. Dupree is trying to make the decision easier.Im going to work for it, Dupree said. Im going to show them that I can be that guy on the field.Butler anticipates a significant jump from Dupree in his second season.I expect (Dupree) to be in the upper echelon of outside linebackers in the league, Butler said. Hes got work to do, but I think he can do that.Dupree has been nursing a sore groin during training camp, but he expects to be ready when the games count. Dupree focused on his conditioning in the offseason, shedding 20 pounds from his 6-foot-4 frame to weigh closer to 250 pounds now.That will help, Dupree said. I feel like I just wanted to be light for the conditioning aspect, so I can play a lot more plays. You can always keep getting in better shape from a conditioning aspect. Being heavy, I felt like I got tired more.He also worked on his pass-rushing moves. Dupree primarily relied on his speed at Kentucky where his 23.5 sacks rank second in school history. Dupree still believes speed is his best asset, but he spent time working on counter moves and improving his hands.Thats why Dupree took up boxing while training in Atlanta during the offseason.Boxing is a great way to improve hand speed, Dupree said. You always worry about hand speed and power. Its a big part of my game, so I needed that.Dupree started his rookie season strong with four sacks in his first eight games. He became the first NFL player since 2013 to record sacks in each of his first two NFL games and finished with the third-most by a Steelers rookie since LaMarr Woodley in 2007.But Dupree struggled after earning his first career start in Week 11 at Seattle. Dupree, who played in all 16 games and started five, finished the final 10 games, including the playoffs, without a sack.Dupree admitted that he felt like he hit a rookie wall. Butler saw it, too.A lot of times, if youre a rookie, at the most you play 12 or 13 games, Butler said. You never play 18 games. We played 23 games last year because we played five preseason games, so yeah, he hit a wall. But most rookies will because thats a lot of games for a young guy.Dupree expects to be better prepared his second time around.It was tough, just being in my first year, Dupree said. Now, I know what to expect.Game notes Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he was disappointed in running back LeVeon Bells three-game suspension for missing multiple drug tests, a violation of the leagues substance abuse policy. Roethlisberger, Bell and WR Antonio Brown, who were all held out of both preseason games, expressed desire to play Friday at New Orleans. . Guard Ramon Foster, the teams players union representative, suggested a work stoppage could happen when the current collective bargaining agreement expires in 2020, adding the players need to save money now. Darius Bazley Thunder Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. 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Just when we thought the NBA Slam Dunk Contest was becoming a snoozefest, Zach LaVine woke us up with his acrobatic, high-flying throwdowns the last two years. The two-time reigning NBA Slam Dunk champion not only grabbed our attention but also snagged the attention of one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history: Dr. J.Weve seen what Julius Erving is capable of around the rim, but The Doctor may have just placed the 21-year-old LaVine on the same level as dunking royalty. In Dr. Js interview with Complex sports, he shares his admiration for the Minnesota Timberwolves guard.Ill tell you, Zach has put on a show the last couple of years. He has to get kudos, Erving said. I dont know if the surprise factor and the timing coordination dunks that he does are as impactful as what Vince Carter brought to the scene when he did a few things that hadnt been seen before. I think with Connie Hawkins, myself, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, theres a lineage there, and I think Vince shook it up a little bit there with a couple of dunks there. Im gonna let him reside in that spot right there.Despite the controversial decision that awarded LaVine the victory in this years dunk-for-dunk contest, he and Orlando Magic forwward Aaron Gordon did not disappoint, as they appeared to sit in midair and effortlessly jump out of the gym.dddddddddddd Dr. J even claims it was the greatest of all time. Yes, you read that correctly.It was clearly as good as the Wilkins-Jordan showdown, and I had a showdown with David Thompson back in 76, which was the last year in the ABA, Erving said. It doesnt get acknowledged as much, but it was a great showdown. But Zach and [Aaron] Gordon, in terms of the guys who are judging and to hear what they had to say during that time, records are made to be broken, and standards of the bar are established to be challenged so somebody can go above it. I would put those two guys, the things they did this past show in Toronto, at the top of the bar. Even for them to chase next year, or put some new guys next year to go after it ... they have raised the bar to a different level.LaVine is coming up on just his third season in the NBA and has already been compared to some of the greatest dunkers in NBA history. By Dr. J, for that matter. It seems that LaVine may be getting this dunking thing down. ' ' '