The Sting Of 2011 Might Be A Good Thing
June 20th, 2012
In Joe’s naive perfect world, all women would be akin to Rachel Watson or Jaime Hanna and Joe would have to fight through swarms of said women begging for his attention, just to get to Publix for a chicken tender sub (#FGU).
This somewhat juvenile mindset extends to football a little as well. After a gut-wrenching, grotesque 10-game losing streak last year to end the season, Joe so wanted a Bucs player to go completely postal, tear apart the locker room and threaten to rip off someone’s head for the schlap they called football last year.
But no, not all players are wired like that. Tanard Jackson had more important goals, such as left-handed cigarettes (allegedly). Kellen Winslow was more interested in having a good time at practice and spinning discs in Vegas to be bothered by wins.
But don’t include Donald Penn in that group. While many of the pen and mic club focused on Penn catching a punt to end a three-day mandatory minicamp last week — and it was a funny moment — Joe zeroed in on a few of Penn’s words buried in his audio recording of Penn’s post-practice comments that struck a chord.
Penn is downright bitter over how last season ended. He noted that new Bucs coach Greg Schiano told the team the sooner it buys in and learns the new ways, the quicker the team will win. That’s all Penn needed to hear, he said.
“Everybody is buying in, no one likes losing,” Penn said. “Last year was tough. Losing that many games in a row at the end was tough, real tough. Nobody wants that feeling again.
“At least I don’t.”
This reflection was music to Joe’s ears. That’s what irked Joe so much about Winslow’s tirade against Schiano and how Winslow quit on the Bucs — he admitted it in his own words last week.
In what fantasy world does Winslow live in that he expected no changes after such a horrible season? Joe’s glad there are guys like Penn on the Bucs roster who have some pride and dignity about themselves and are disturbed about by being saddled with losing.
June 20th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Penn is a good guy. I always enjoy hearing/reading his words. The guy loves football, wants to be the best he can be, and wants to win. Sounds like a Schiano man to me.
I hope Penn is here for years to come and at 29 years of age, it is a good possibility.
June 20th, 2012 at 11:34 am
he had to throw in the fine print……”at least I don’t” smh
June 20th, 2012 at 11:48 am
Great article . I’m with you on this one Joe. There didnt seem to be enough players pissed off from last years collapse. I’m glad Penn has at least come out to express his feelings towards last year. I wish more would show that emotion. Winslow, IMO lost the fans he had here. I was one of them and didn’t agree with the trade. But after hearing his ridiculous comments, good riddance. What a jack arse..
June 20th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Let’s see if he’s pissed off enough to lose that loose, jiggly, spare tire he’s been carrying around. When a DE makes a quick outside move, Penn’s feet have to react instantaneously but there’s still 60 LBS of blubber left behind.
Words are meaningless at this point, try mixing in a salad, once a day.
June 20th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Great little read here. Schiano is already weeding out the bad apples. Seems like he’s a man of his word, & his words are “Lets do this right, as accountable professionals – all of us together, and win”
I like it
June 20th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Of course its a good thing – now. Rahrah, THC Jax and Winslow – the 3 who best epitomize the RahRah and DomDom 17-31torturous 3 years are gone.
I say thanks every day that the RahRah and DomDom era is over.
I know that many of you predicted that RahRah and DomDom would lead us to greatness! LMAO
June 20th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
I believe Dom is still the GM of this club.
June 20th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
I know this…..the sting of 2011 was NOT A GOOD THING IN 2011!!!! LOL
It was awful. But fortunately I try to live in the present and presently I’m very pleased with the way 2012 is going from the hiring of Coach Schiano to today.
Sure there will be setbacks, like the Bowers injury, but so far, so good.
Can’t WAIT!!!