Call Him “All-Pro Penn”
October 4th, 2011
Week after week, game after game, it seems Donald Penn is going against an All Pro player. Whether it’s Dwight Freeney or John Abraham, when right defensive ends face Penn this season, one result seems to take place each game:
You rarely hear the name of the opposing right defensive end’s name called.
That’s the level of play Donald Penn has demonstrated this year, and it’s one reason the Bucs have jumped out to a 3-1 start this season.
Penn was near-giddy after the Bucs gutted out a win against the Dolts on national television Monday night. And no, he wasn’t joyous because LeGarrette Blount kept yelling across the locker room for all to hear that Penn is an All Pro.
Penn was happy with the win… but he wasn’t exactly bashful about his level of play either.
“That’s the story of the season so far,” Penn said of going against stud players each week. “I am just trying to help my team win and I got lucky today. I played well and we got the win. That’s what it’s all about.”
When asked by a reporter what the win told the nation and the local community — the first time locals got to watch a Bucs home game on TV in over a year, Penn said, “That I’m an All Pro left tackle and that old Buccaneers football is back.”
Penn then talked about the Bucs “four-minute offense” to kill the clock and how much the win meant.
“I just try to get Josh [Freeman] time and when he has time there’s no telling what he will do,” Penn said. “We wanted it so bad, just like last week. We wanted it. Davin and Trueblood and Faine got pushes every single time. But we came out with a win.
“We showed the world that old Buccaneer football is back. Now [the nation] got to see it first-hand. The defense played great. Preston Parker stepped up. I can’t say enough about Freeman moving the pocket and getting first downs.
“But a win is all that matters.”
October 4th, 2011 at 1:55 am
He gave up some pressure and sacks in the first two game. But nothing against the Colts and Falcons. Which is is absolutely amazing.
October 4th, 2011 at 2:44 am
I didn’t see Freeney fool him once. He got out-played on a handful of plays, but on every single one, the play was designed to go away from Freeney so it didn’t matter. But I didn’t see Penn get out-finessed on a single spin move that Freeney tried on him the whole game long. Just amazing play from Donald Penn.
October 4th, 2011 at 5:32 am
I know I’m a homer on this one, but did anyone else feel the holding call on Penn was complete BS? If that’s a hold, then there is a hold on every play.
October 4th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Agreed, HB.
And Penn played well considering the competition.
Trueblood, on the other hand…
October 4th, 2011 at 8:09 am
One thing I’ve noticed about Penn is that he is our first lineman up at the snap. It almost looks like a false start. That is one thing that is helping him be so successful. Also, I call Bravo Sierra on the holding penalty on him.
October 4th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@Matt, Trueblood played a hell’uva game, you block Mathis, basically one on one for 60 minutes and only allow 0 sacks, thats a hell’uva a game, also he collapsed the left end (Mathis) which allowed Blount to break the line and rumble for the last TD. Trueblood has been money all season, have you heard one bonehead penalty called on him yet, and which way and what play do the Bucs run 80% of the time on run plays, “Power I Right” right behind Joseph and Trueblood.
October 4th, 2011 at 8:40 am
AGreed on holding. Freeney puts his back into Penn’s chest and pushes..how is that a hold?
October 4th, 2011 at 10:02 am
They called a hold, because they didn’t believe he could pancake a player of Freeneys stature with raw power. Yet that was exactly what happened. Last spring, I said that Penn was a top 5 left tackle. I had a ton of posters laugh at that idea. I’m saying it again. Penn is the best left tackle to play for Tampa
Trueblood has played great this year. I started the year saying he shouldn’t be starting. He’s proved me wrong. And I’m happy as he’ll he did! Our tackles are both kicking butt this year!