Enough With Donald Penn’s Weight
August 21st, 2012
Joe’s really had enough of his media comrades’ obsession with Donald Penn’s blubber.
There was rubber shirt mania last month, and yesterday Greg Schiano was hit with questions about Penn’s weight. And everyone seems to be trying to figure out the impact of Penn’s secret scale records.
This Weight Watchers chatter might interest Joe, except Penn was a fat guy when he was playing at a Pro Bowl level. He was a fat guy last year when his peers voted him as the 97th best player in the NFL, and he was a fat guy when rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Team Glazer dropped a gargantuan contract on him. Penn’s also a fat guy that has played in 76 consecutive games.
This is not a new position for Joe. Joe recalls Jeff Faine making fun of Penn’s weight during a 2009 radio interview, dropping one-liners about how the white pants of the throwback uniforms were downright cruel to a man of Penn’s girth. Everyone knows that Penn’s been battling the pounds for years.
Yeah, Penn played a few clunkers last season during the heinous 10-game losing streak. But it’s as if fans and media are trying to hang his peformance on his belt size. Sure, extra fat likely doesn’t help Penn, but there’s plenty of evidence that it doesn’t hurt him, either.
Penn was back at practice yesterday and he’s as lean as Joe has ever seen him. Penn was a fixture through training camp doing all kinds of cardio work while rehabilitating his calf strain. Also, fans paying attention saw him riding a stationary bike at the Bucs’ night practice earlier this month.
Joe’s sure Penn will be just fine and is the least of the Bucs’ worries — even if he piles on a pound a week from now until the end of the season.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:16 am
Joe, lets not pretend Penns weight did not affect his play. The media SHOULD talk about it. Clearly Penn needs rhe extra push. Money didn’t drive him to control it.
I actually feel bad for Penn…he is ging to suffer greatly in his later years of life if he doesn’t start controlling this.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:23 am
logically, Pete, it’s a worthless debate without knowing what Penn weighed and when, and I think you prove Joe’s point with your comments. Penn’s as fit as he’s ever been and everyone is still obsessed with his weight.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:25 am
Funny this article is right after an article about all you can eat! Hopefully Penn didnt read it.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:33 am
Any chance we will bring Merriman in for a look
August 21st, 2012 at 10:41 am
Penn is a force. He is really one of the guys I am least worried about. Yeah he struggled towards the back end of the last season (see JAX game). But that was the whole team.
Sapp has singled him out on numerous occasions as a tremendous LT and Warren is not one to throw around compliments for offensive lineman.
I cant wait until we bury Carolina in Week 1. I have visions of the 1997 opener. Nobody sees the Bucs winning. It will be a coming out party. All will be forgotten about 2011.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:43 am
Can’t we leave grimus alone, I mean Donald Penn.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:48 am
Army:
Good Lord, why? So the Bucs can get a quote from him on a new paint job for the locker room?
Dude’s career is toast.
August 21st, 2012 at 11:23 am
Penn could drop a few lb’s. But Penn’s weight is the least of the Bucs offensive problems. The receivers not getting any separation is an issue. That why Shipley was picked up.
August 21st, 2012 at 2:15 pm
The problem is that his game gets worse toward the end of each season BECAUSE of the weight he gains throughout the season. And people would not mention it if it wasn’t making an impact.
MTM, the receivers are not getting separation for two reasons:
1. New offense and they are still getting the knack for it
2. The Bucs are not going to show their best plays in the preseason
Mind you, I’m not going to say that when the season starts the Bucs offense will suddenly get good. It will take a little time for them to jive. Less time than the defense, but time.
Also, Sullivan may need time to settle into his role.