Donald Penn Peeved At NFL Network List
May 13th, 2011
The NFL Network — which we all know every real man has wired to his flatscreen 52-inch HD TV at home — this past week ran a Top 100 list of current NFL players, as voted by the players themselves.
It was a mild surprise that Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams made the cut. It was not a surprise that Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman was included.
It was very much a surprise that Bucs left tackle Donald Penn was not among the same elite group.
While Penn is happy that his offensive teammates made the list, Penn is one hacked off man over omission, so writes video star Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune.
I’m going to make a lot of (general managers) mad this year. I’ve got a big ol’ chip on my shoulder for not making the top 100,” Penn said. “My biggest thing is at the end of my career, I want to be mentioned with the great left tackles. At the end of my career, I want to be mentioned with Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and John Lynch in Buccaneer history. That’s all I want.
“My peers know. Well, I guess my peers don’t know because they are the ones that voted. It’s motivation. I love it.”
Joe can’t really blame Penn and Joe hopes Penn is so fired up about the snub that he locks up every right defensive end who so much as looks at Penn this season (if there is a season).
The funny thing about this article was that Richardson pointed out Penn plays in two basketball rec leagues to try to keep the weight off. But as big as Penn is, he’s trying to become a power guard. He won’t mix it up in the paint because, Richardson writes, Penn is scared of getting hurt.
That doesn’t sound much like a growling, drooling, fire-breathing left tackle, does it?
May 13th, 2011 at 8:07 am
I said it one and Ill say it again, if the Leagues best LT (Joe Thomas) came in @ 97, where is there toom for Penn on this list?
The fact is that the list completely snubbed offensive lineman, thats all…
May 13th, 2011 at 8:11 am
“That doesn’t sound much like a growling, drooling, fire-breathing left tackle, does it?”
Lol, no, but amusing though it might be it does sound like a good professional who is looking after himself. Nice to see a sensible player whose focus on being the best Buc he can be outweighs the other activities he is doing.
May 13th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Penn being weary of getting hurt is smart; sounds like he desnt want to jeopardize his football career in any way. Actually im surprised his football contract let’s him play any other sport in general, even pick up games.
May 13th, 2011 at 8:38 am
Donald Penn is my favorite receiver
May 13th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Espo +1
May 13th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Travis is right. Which is surprising given the number of D-Lineman and LBs who voted.
Quite honestly, a better list would be to have the players vote by position…. like an all-star ballot for baseball except have every player available.
Then, post the results by top 5 QB, RB, FB, WR, WR, TE, LT, LG, C, RG, RT
FS, SS, CB, CB, MLB, OLB, OLB, DT, DT, DE, DE
something like that
May 13th, 2011 at 9:01 am
I love the fact that he actually thinks before acting. To many players on our team and in the NFL run around doing stupid things without thinking about the long term ramifications of their actions.
So Joe. When DP breaks his ankle posting up at the YMCA and then Josh Freeman get’s his head ripped off by Dwight Freeney your going to be praising Penn for taking one for his REC team and boxing people out right?
IF QB is the most important position in the NFL, Left Tackle should be number 2. Donald Penn is easily in the top in the NFL and should have been in the top 100.
May 13th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Completely agree Kyle, great comment.
May 13th, 2011 at 9:22 am
“He won’t mix it up in the paint because, Richardson writes, Penn is scared of getting hurt. That doesn’t sound much like a growling, drooling, fire-breathing left tackle, does it?”
Joe, doing his best Mike Florio impression, by ignoring the obvious explanation in favor of fabricating a controversial blog topic.
Bravo, Joe. You’re well on your way to becoming a network stooge. 😉
May 13th, 2011 at 9:27 am
Penn has become the most Dominant LT in the NFL. Amazing-considering that he wasn’t drafted. Love his attitude and ambition to be recognized as the best. If he had been a first round pick, he would already be getting that rep, but NFL insiders don’t want to admit that they all overlooked the number one tackle in football, so Penn getting the credit he deserves will take a long time.
I can’t believe how lucky we are that Dominick found Donald Penn! Truly a great day in Buc history!
May 13th, 2011 at 9:39 am
@Capt.Tim Wait, what? You’re serious?
May 13th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Ian said:
“Joe, doing his best Mike Florio impression, by ignoring the obvious explanation in favor of fabricating a controversial blog topic.”
BRAVO Ian! Way to call Joe out as he deserves. Now wait for him to come crying back defensively, as he ALWAYS does. 🙂
May 13th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Sometimes, it appears, sarcasm is too obvious.
May 13th, 2011 at 10:16 am
he didnt fare too greatly against detroit this year… i thought he was supposed to be the guy who ‘always shuts down big name DE’s’
May 13th, 2011 at 10:28 am
A little over the top, Capt. Penn is far from the best LT in the NFL. He’s good, and worth keeping around, but not the best. And his attitude to be the best is great. I hope playing basketball helps his football skills, but I’m thinking he’s taking a big risk of injury, even if he’s not mixing it up in the paint. I’d rather see him working out with Davin and the rest lifting weights. He seems like more of the Jeff Faine type (these group workouts just won’t work, it’ll never happen).
May 13th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Dan, if you are talking about Suh, Suh doesn’t play End. He plays DT. Penn had some spotty games this past year
May 13th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Sorry Travis but your still wrong. That 97 ranking was the fans list NOT the players list.
May 13th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
lol capt. tim is the biggest homer by far that comments. He’s the bizarro-thomas 2.2. totally on the other side of the spectrum. That said, its good spirit but I haven’t read any of his comments either after reading about two of em.
May 13th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
” So Joe. When DP breaks his ankle posting up at the YMCA and then Josh Freeman get’s his head ripped off by Dwight Freeney your going to be praising Penn for taking one for his REC team and boxing people out right?
Sometimes, it appears, sarcasm is too obvious.”
Touche’
May 13th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
I doubt some of you could point out the left tackle in a line up. Penn went to the Pro Bowl last year. The top NFL scouting mags all have him listed in the top 5 tackles in the NFL. What are you basing your opinions on- BSPN kissing Joe Thomas’s butt? Placement in the Top 5 is subjective, but Penn is definitely top 5. I believe he is the best due to his balance as a Run and pass blocker. You believe what you want. But if you don’t think he is a top Tackle, you are alone in that opinion. All the expert analyst agree he is a top NFL tackle. And tuggz- when have you WVER posted anything other than mindless agreement with the Masses? You don’t ever have an original thought or opinion, pretty much just another nodding head in the crowd. Way to fill space, bobblehead! Thanks for sucking up and wasting air we coulda used on an intelligent Bucs fan!
May 13th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I was at the Lion’s game and the Bucs’ O line owned their D line. Suh had one good play the entire game. Sheez. Count me in on the homerism with the Skipper. I love Penn and he is the most under-rated O Lineman in the League. Ask Josh Freeman how good Penn is. WTF, does anybody watch the games anymore? or just the damn highlights. Everyone wants to give Blount credit for the 1000 yd season, but say our Offensive line sucks. If they are so bad, why didn’t Dom draft a single O lineman. I’m sure everyone here watches more film than Dom, more practices than Dom, and has more NFL experince than Dom. Hello??? Buc Web site, Buc fans??? I say again, it must be me. Capt Tim, when your back to drinking, let’s go commiserate together. Semper Fi.
May 13th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
BigMac…AMEN!
May 13th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
i was happy as hell to eat some crow last year. i was always a skeptic of penn’s and thought the big contract would make him lose focus but boy was i wrong. penn was undoubtably a top 5 tackle last year. he absolutely mauled people in the running game.
May 14th, 2011 at 12:58 am
Not if you don’t keep the CBA dispute in mind. He get’s injured…it’s solely on him. Personally, I think I agree with him not taking too many chances. Practice is one thing…playing another sport? Quite the other.
May 14th, 2011 at 8:32 am
BigMacAttack- buddy, I’d be honored to bend elbows with you, anytime! Your right, I swear nobody actually watches the games anymore!