“Internal Data” On Penn
December 15th, 2012
And Scott Smith did just that in an analysis of Donald Penn’s greatness yesterday. Smith dove into Penn’s 2012 season and the performance of the offensive line.
However, according to internal data, Penn has been personally responsible for allowing only 3.5 sacks this season. That’s a fine number made all the more impressive by the fact that he has faced a killer lineup of pass-rushing ends and 3-4 linebackers this season, from Jared Allen to John Abraham to DeMarcus Ware to Greg Hardy to Von Miller. Those pass-rushers haven’t come off the left edge on every single snap, but Penn was certainly played a big part in the overall effort to slow them down.
And he’s a big part in the team’s ability to allow just 19 sacks all season while propelling rookie RB Doug Martin to instant superstar status. The Bucs have not allowed fewer than 30 sacks in a season since 2003, and Martin has already broken the team’s rookie rushing records with 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Penn also was quoted explaining how offensive line coach Bob Bostand is a technique freak and what that’s meant to the versatility of the offensive line. Definitely click through above to read more.
It hasn’t been Penn’s finest season, but it’s been another strong one for sure. And Penn hasn’t missed a start since the middle of 2007. Joe thinks Bucs fans should take pause this morning and appreciate how lucky the team is to have Penn. Through all the past years of fat bashing, Penn consistently has been an exceptional, durable player.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Penn has basically been the glue of the O-Line holding it together. He, and the whole O-Line, have been fantastic.
Technique and paying attention to details!
Being accountable.
I really cannot wait to see what this team does next year with a little more pass rush and some new CBs
December 15th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Penn had to ball this season after destroying Davin Joseph’s career & our playoff hopes
December 15th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Penn certainly played pretty well last week.
I remember when “internal stats” said Mason Foster had something like 150 tackles last year lol I’ll pass on the internal statistics.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:42 am
Penn is alright, the only thing that keeps him off the field are those dreaded and unnecessary 110X16 gauntlets.
Maybe after screwing up the 2012 season, the Little General will reduce them down to his hero Belicheat’s 60X10 sprints.
It would sure make the Rockstar’s job easier to sign players off the street and have them actually be able to practice and play on Sunday.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Stay classy Ian.
December 15th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Penn is 29 will be 30 in April, 2013. Will be a FA in 2016. Barring any significant injuries, good to go for next 2 years or more. Bucs should draft LOT in round 1 2014 as heir apparent. Learn behind Penn for 1 year then compete for start in 2015. Dotson is not that guy!
December 15th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
And one of those 3.5 sacks was after his and Jared Allen’s squabble. Everyone knew it was coming. It barely counts.
December 15th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
There sure are some stupid arse people on this site.
December 15th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I’m still bitter about the dever game…would be nice if they inish the season riding a 3 game winnng streak!!
December 15th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I’ll take Penn/Nicks on the left side for as long as we can keep them together. It’s the rest of the line I’m not so sure about.
December 15th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Penn has been great ever since he replaced yet another over the hill Bruce Allen signing….forget the former Giants name. Anywho….Penn was a great “rip” from the Vikings ps. Dominik, like Freeman, is the best and worst all wrapped into one. Finds guys like Penn snd Michael Bennett yet whiffs on premium draft picks way too often.
*Luke Petigout was the guy Penn replaced.
December 15th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Thanks Joe! Its about time we recognize Penn’s body of work. IMO Josh would have been injured many times if it wasn’t for the blindside blocking of DP. This is not the first season he has faced those pass rusher. Since he has started he’s been blocking those dudes with the exception of Von Miller. I don’t see Will Smith, Peppers, Dumervil, etc. In my first comments look back, I wrote this article already when you fans said Penn was overweight/slow/trade him get Kalil if tried to plead a case for for.
Go back and look at his tape Joe.
Buccaneers.com Roster has listed his weight at like 315 for the last 3 years. I heard Lynch say while broadcasting a buc game ” Penn hasn’t been 315 since his early days.”
My point: To be overweight he had shut down most of speed rusher in the league today and yesterday! He deserves more credit then fans give him. Penn is doing better then 1 round pick Jake Long!
Praise to Bob for bringing some real O-line coaching to the Bucs. We needed him 20 yrs ago! I like what we have done with the interchangeable OL pieces.
Zuttah-LG/RG/C
Larsen-LG/RG/C
Meredith-he’s quoted as saying” I can play any spot on the line but center.”Hardman has said something similar.
Penn-RT/LT
Doston-LT/RT
With our 2 probowl Guards woooo! Get them all healthy and injure can’t stop the ship!
December 15th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
I’m starting to question that finest test of schiano. I always see post by fans that hate them.
Question to anybody?
Did we lose players because of the incompletion of the gaunlets?
Did all the players that we brought in after training camp have to do them to make the team?
I like what schiano has done but I will start calling him lLeperchan from the hood with all that dictatorshhh.
My rhyme and reason is I want to WIN A SUPERBOWL NOW! Well Next f-ing year!
December 15th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Bob Bostad has done a FANTASTIC job with our oline. We’re very fortunate to have him, and IMO, he’s the one I’d worry more about movin on to a better situation than Sullivan.
December 15th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Joe, you like to cite the PFF folks’ stuff. Well, they think Penn has pretty much stunk lately in pass-pro–as is his norm as he porks out annually.
I do appreciate the fact that Donald shows up to play every game, for sure. No one can fault his effort.
December 15th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
That is a good report about Penn. I have to agree that Penn is a stud LT.
December 16th, 2012 at 1:01 am
@Mike J. – Joe cites the PFF stuff because it’s interesting and it’s used by some NFL teams. Joe does not treat PFF as gospel by any stretch of the imagination.
December 16th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Amen!! Donald Penn is and has been a probowl calibre LT for years. He has been called only once as a replacement if not mistaken. Would love to see what our o line could have been at full strength at the end of this year. Curious what the grade is on our RT Dotson and if we will look to replace him next year?
December 16th, 2012 at 9:50 am
Penn is an All pro caliber tackle. Has been for years. Best left tackle in Buc history-ahead of the also great Paul Gruber. Anyone who doesn’t recognize Penn’s talent, should refrain from commenting on football.
Dotson has been a pleasant surprise at RT! He should develop in to a dominant RT, and has the feet to play LT someday.Oline should be incredible for years to come
December 16th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I was hoping the Bucs could draft Kalil not to replace Penn but to play RT or switch tackle positions with DP. I think he has been one of the shining stars of the draft and will be a starter for a dozen years.
My only critique of Penn is that he will play with 80 LBs of blubber that swings from side to side, knocking himself off balance. That can’t be good.