NFL Players Rank Donald Penn 97th Best
April 28th, 2012
What a great opportunity for Joe to smack all the Bucs fans that emerged from their caves to smack Donald Penn around when they realized the Bucs might have a shot at drafting Matt Kalil.
Sure, Joe was on board with a potential Kalil pick. He would have looked great at right tackle as the left-tackle-in-waiting for two or three seasons. But many Bucs fans were eager to draft Kalil and kick Penn to the curb completely via trade.
This is and was mind-boggling to Joe, and clearly mind-boggling to NFL players, who voted Penn the 97th best football player in the league.
The Top-100 of 2012 countdown show on NFL Network (the real man channel not viewed at home by men whose ladies own the remote control) began tonight with Nos. 91-100 unveiled. Those honored are voted in by NFL players.
Joe can’t understand why some fans are quick to blast Penn. The man has started 76 consecutive games and played damn well. So what if he mows down the doughnuts. At worst, Penn is a Top-13 left tackle. When he’s playing well, he’s elite.
Joe expects another Pro Bowl season from Penn in 2012. Clearly his peers do as well.
April 28th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
amazing how good he got since we plucked him from the vikings practice squad. that said he really gets fat and looks bad sometimes.
April 28th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Joe,
Top 13 left tackles don’t make the pro bowl. Top 5 or 6 do.
Do you think any other Bucs appear in the top 100? Maybe DJ.
Anyone else? I doubt it. Doesnt sound like a rock star resume to me.
April 28th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Then Tim Tebow showed up on the list shortly afterwards and everyone realized the list was a joke.
April 28th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
So happy we did NOT draft Claibourne or Kalil.
One can’t tackle, the other potentially lacks strength.
Glad we got a COMPLETE player @ #7.
April 28th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Any word on UDFAs? The only one I have heard we have signed so far is USF G/C Chaz Hine
April 28th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Bucs signed USF G/C Chaz Hine as an undrafted free agent, according to agent Glen Lansky
April 28th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Bucs should have another top 100 player, Carl Nicks
April 28th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
I bet many will be shocked at the difference a real Coach will make in Tampa.
This is truly a new day in Tampa, because Coach Schiano will not take any chit or excuses.
I think Don Penn will respond in a positive way to the changes, and our line and running game will be one of the best in the NFL this year.
Our O line really missed Aaron Sears. Now, with Nicks here, I think Don Penn is going to be into being a part of something special.
April 28th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
[Drew: That’s not a credible site. Joe would rather not offer up possible misinformation. — Joe]
April 28th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
carl nicks, davin joseph, and vincent jackson might make the list
April 28th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Blount
April 28th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
I can proudly say i watched NONE of ESPN’s draft coverage. Never left the NFL Network. It was wonderful.
April 29th, 2012 at 2:38 am
Joe- we do not always agree but on this point we do. Penn is a dominant left tackle when focused and we are lucky to have him.
Feeling that new regime will bring focus to all of our starters.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:23 am
Yep, you hit the nail on the head with this article Joe. Penn is a beast.
April 29th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Carl Nicks will be in it. If Penn is in, Michael Bennett should be as well(though I know he won’t because of lacking sack(overrated these days) stats. Not like this is a legitimate list anyways. If Davin Joseph makes it in it only serves to prove that having the name in the media is what matters. Even to players.
April 29th, 2012 at 9:22 am
Loved watching the video on Penn- so many monster pancake blocks.
Penn is a great Left tackle. The best left Tackle in Buc history.
Nice to see him getting the recognition from his peers, that he doesn’t get from the ” fans” here.
April 29th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Michael Bennett? What the fu%# has Bennett done? He started last year, and was the least impressive of our DEs.
God- what happened to the well informed, intelligent posters here?
Hey SteveK- real happy with that draft are you ? LOL
Yaaa Trent lOl
April 29th, 2012 at 9:38 am
@ Capt. Tim No love for Paul Gruber???
April 29th, 2012 at 9:43 am
@Capt Tim If you believe that Bennett was the least impressive, there is no reason for us to begin a conversation on this topic…..
But of course, Bennett was not the focus of your comment was it? No, your focus lay in the truly original and comprehensive argument of “Your’re stupid and I’m smart”.
Well, Capt Tim, you sure succeeded in ending any chance of “intelligent” debate. Congratulations.
April 29th, 2012 at 10:50 am
We got one guy in top 100?
Dynasty baby!
Capt Tim when TR goes to Canton u will understand.
April 29th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Some people (so called fans) are never happy,always bitchn about some player.
April 29th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Nuthin but love for Paul Gruber!! Best OT in Buc history!!
Til Donald Penn
April 29th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Have a nice day- why would you bring up a second string De, on a post about our best player! I know you’re a woman- but that is a strange leap of logic
By the way- way to jump in the gutter, and start calling names, Doc!
My post was a positive affirmation of Penn- you drag in some vench warmer- somehow saying that if our best player is recognized by his peers, so should some second stringer!
Ya, intelligent!
Riiiight!
April 29th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Eric- Hawaiian was saying the same thing about Ingram last year
Richardson started one year at Alabama.
He needed Knee surgery
The Pros are a lot harder to run thru
Let’s let him play a season, before we sit his bust next to the legends
Like Ingram
April 29th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Capt Tim, Here we go again.
Bennett is our starter. He started all year until he was injured. Look at the depth chart from last year. He was second in total snaps among Buc DEs. No Buc had more snaps at LDE then Bennett.
When did I ever call anyone anything? Nice try at projection. You question my intelligence, then say I’m the name caller? What a piece of work.
April 29th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Have a – the post was about Our all Pro left tackle.
You said ” if Penn is, Michael Bennett should be as well”
Again- Whaaat?
If Bennett is considered anything other than a hard working Journeyman(which isn’t bad- I like the guy-he isn’t elite, and is keeping Bowers seat warm), then it’s your little secret! It was insulting to Penn to say that.
Penn is a great left tackle. You are a confused fan
Let’s leave it at that
April 29th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Penn is a pretty good in pass-pro until the middle of the season, when he starts REALLY porking out; then his play declines (must be a Nate Newton-level glutton). By the end of the 2011 season, he was waddling around like a hippo out there. He has never been in Gruber’s class as a pass-protector, and is way over-rated as a run-blocker.
Having said that, I wouldn’t kick Donald to the curb; he just needs to improve his conditioning and watch his diet. Maybe Schiano will light a fire under him.
April 29th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Bennett had a far better year than Penn this season respectively. Bennett led all Bucs defensive linemen in tackles and was second in pressures/hits/hurries.
Penn is a good left tackle, but allowing 9 sacks is not what great tackles do.
Neither Penn nor Bennett should be in it.
April 29th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Bennett was the least impressive of our DE’s?? I thought Bennett played very well until the entire D fell apart and then noone played well.