Report: Bucs Considering Penn’s Replacement
February 25th, 2014
Donald Penn is an average-to-above-average starting NFL left tackle, who is earning average starter’s money at his position. But a new report from Yahoo! Sports claims Tampa Bay is in pursuit of more bang for its bucks.
The Bucs are sniffing Chiefs LT Branden Albert, per Yahoo. Albert is approaching unrestricted free agency on March 11. Per writer Eric Edholm, Albert is a familiar face to Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Licht was in the Arizona front office last season when the talk of making a run at Albert was entertained before he was shackled by the franchise tag in 2013. The Bucs now have Donald Penn at left tackle, but he grades as a lower-end player at his position, and the team is believed to be looking to upgrade the offensive line at a few spots. The Buccaneers have more than $15 million in cap space and could clear more if they cut expensive and ineffective guard Davin Joseph, and possibly Penn with if a new left tackle made his way on the roster.
Albert turns 30 this season and made his first Pro Bowl a handful of weeks ago. He was Kansas City’s first-round pick in 2008.
Loyal JoeBucsFan.com readers know Joe is a supporter of Penn. The Bucs’ ironman was not great last year, but he was not “the problem” with the Bucs’ offensive line. And Joe sees Penn’s durability as an asset, versus the medical woes of Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph. Joe gets the desire to upgrade, but Joe’s not sure he would start with Penn.
A signing of Albert would mean Penn’s days as a Buccaneer are finished. It’s not a situation, like with Josh McCown and Mike Glennon, where Albert would represent competition.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
“Donald Penn is an average-to-above-average starting NFL left tackle, ”
Maybe 3 years ago. Now he’s just average.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
What? No competition? Egads!
February 25th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
I would have to agree in that Penn is not where I would start looking for a replacement, especially when we’re talking about one that’s 30 years old. The guard position is much more shaky!
February 25th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Was it me or did it seem like a lot of the sacks that Penn gave up was due to the pocket presence of Glennon?
February 25th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Penn sucks.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
I wouldn’t say Penn sucks but I dont agree that he is above average either. The whole line is below average.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
@Buc1987 no Joseph sucks
February 25th, 2014 at 1:16 pm
What I been saying he was terrible last year he was not much better then Dalvin and he had a serious knee injury I’m not surprised the bucs want to upgrade the line they were that bad last year!
February 25th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I like seeing the QB scrabbling backwards and taking the sack because Penn got blown up. Glad to see these issues addressed. The old regime would have Penn signed to an extension.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
You Go Joe…Davin has an excuse, he was coming off injury, but yah they both suck.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
If you think Penn is so awful, then you don’t watch a lot of NFL games that aren’t the Bucs. Joe is right. Penn is ok, and his durability kicks him up a notch.
I’d like to see the Bucs draft their next left tackle and stick him at right tackle this season, just like the Chiefs did last year.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Dennis watch the Carolina and rams game he simply got his ass handed to him and Glennon had nothing to do with it
February 25th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
When a 6’9 former basketball players grades out as your best Offensive lineman, your whole line sucks
February 25th, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Eric Says:
“Dennis watch the Carolina and rams game he simply got his ass handed to him and Glennon had nothing to do with it.”
Yep..was it the Rams game that they kept showing Penn just standing there and not even laying a finger on the defender? That was pathetic. They kept showing it over and over again. Then we have people come in here and say, yah he’s above average. Clearly they did not see that game.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Well, I thought Joe said Penn was “not the problem” with our crappy oline play last season? yea, so much so that they are looking to replace him lol.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Penn isn’t the problem, cut Joseph, pay Nicks his injury settlement and draft or sign two guards, allow Dotson one more season of experience and see if he can become Penn’s replacement, if not draft one next season.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
I agree that Penn is not really “exceptional” at left tackle anymore, but I don’t think he’s that bad either. Nothing wrong with thinking about the future…but this is a win now league! It’s a pretty deep draft this year…probably because of all the underclassmen coming out…so there should be some quality OT’s available in the later rounds.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
It’s not that Penn isnt the problem, thats a load of bull. It’s that Penn is part of the problem.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Andrew…your right. So maybe all these fans and Joe are right about Penn and Licht is wrong for looking for a new LT.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Then say goodbye to Penn. He didn’t help his cause last year. Plus, his below average play directly affected this offenses ability to sustain drives. He’s the 4th best tackle in the division.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Is he the biggest part of the problem? no. But its enough for the bucs to look into wanting to replace him.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Rebuild the line!
February 25th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Penn is not the problem – his salary is the problem.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:51 pm
The problem we are seeing with our roster:
We are not as talented as some of our player salaries would state. Our former GM OVERPAID for Free Agents, and missed at drafting (prior to Schiano), so there you go.
The Licht is on at One Buc Place, we should become a lot better.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
“Loyal JoeBucsFan.com readers know Joe is a supporter of Penn. The Bucs’ ironman was not great last year, but he was not “the problem” with the Bucs’ offensive line.”
@Joe
I respect that fact that you don’t hang your homeboys out to dry (Stand Up guy mentality) But Penn can no longer do his job affectively for 17 weeks. He starts off ok, but as the season progresses, he regresses.
These younger guys are putting a whipping on ’em something serious (11 sacks 2013)-(45 sacks for his 6yr Career)
To put that in Prospective Jonathan Ogden (11yr career) only gave up 23 sacks. Walter Jones (12 yr career) only gave up 24. Sure these guys HIGH 1st round draft picks/with countless All-PRO selections/Hall of Famers (THE GOLD STANDARD)
And Sure Donald Penn was a UDFA. And his (6yr) career highlights consist of:
Being Named named to the 2011 Pro Bowl as an (ALTERNATE). Only because Green Bay LT Chad Clifton, team advanced to Super Bowl XLV
*Ranked #97 in the Top 100 Players of 2012
*Donald Penn has the 2nd most consecutive starts by a Left Tackle in Team History
(2007-2013) *(Games played-112/Games started-108)
Note: On player with more is former *(1988) 1st round *(4th pick overall), 2× All-Pro selection 1991, 1992)…2012 Ring of Honor inductee Paul Gruber 1988-1999 *(Games played- 183/ Games started- 183)
Donald Penn (By the Numbers)
• 2008-*(8 sacks allowed)*(8 QB Hits)*(21 Hurries)*(6 penalties)
• 2009-*(5 sacks allowed)*(9 QB Hits)*(32 Hurries)*(11 penalties)
• 2010-*(6 sacks allowed)*(8 QB Hits)*(37 Hurries)*(4 penalties)
• 2011-*(9 sacks allowed)*(7 QB Hits)*(26 Hurries)*(7 penalties)
• 2012-*(5 sacks allowed)*(8 QB Hits)*(34 Hurries)*(5 penalties)
• 2013-*(11 sacks allowed)*(6 QB Hits)*(28 Hurries)*(5 penalties)
(45 Sacks in 6yrs)
As you can clearly see-Donald Penn has given up 25 sacks since he signed a 6-year, $48-million contract. Definitely haven’t lived to all the hype. Anyone who believes differently; clearly have low standards for the position.
(And let the Chorus Play)
Women Lie, Men Lie
Women Lie, Men Lie
Women Lie, Men Lie
******The numbers don’t lie********
February 25th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
I hope they save some money for Jason Allen, Bennett or someone who is a “proven pass rusher”
February 25th, 2014 at 2:04 pm
@ Architek
If thats the case, then why not just restructure his contract? That also poses the question that if you have to restructure his contract, then hes not worthy of top tackle money and maybe you could find someone better. Look we can maybe get away with playing Penn for 1 more season, but it doesn’t hurt to look into your options. I would miss his leadership though.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Lol, he gave up 9 sacks in 2007, make that 54 sacks in 7yrs.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
I’ve also been a Penn supporter, and I’ve seen him shut down some great pass rushers. He’s a very competitive guy and a great team guy as well. I wouldn’t be aposed to an upgrade, but how much of an upgrade is 30 year old Albert?
February 25th, 2014 at 2:18 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
Exactly. Premium tackles are found high in the draft. When the old GM thought you could just mine them out of the end of the draft or as free agents, this is the result.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
hey joe……what about all this upside you preach when selling any qb not name Glennon.
penn has nothing but downside, is already a liability and is expensive.
at least MG and 1/2 dozen other players have upside, are cheaper at their position and were at least abov average under horrible coaching.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
He will not replace Penn, he will compete with Penn and Dotson. I don’t think he will Albert will cost that much money.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
This is a giant motivational brushfire built under Penn’s massive rear-end. Branden Albert is just a year younger than Penn, will cost a third more in FA , and is brittle – can’t stay off of IR.
Penn can play and some of the best DEs in the league will attest to that. Ask Jared Allen if he can play? This move, although serious, is meant to slap that piece of pie out of Penn’s mouth and have him take his job seriously again. Remember when Dominik refused to give Penn the long-term contract, Penn went to California, trained hard, took off the weight, and came to play. This is what I expect to see this time. Penn is reading this and knows what time it is. Penn is vocal – notice that we haven’t heard a tweet from him! He’s been loafing and he knows it!
The Bucs will not get into a bidding war with Miami and Arizona and overpay for Albert. Those days are over. They need to draft an OT and start to develop Penn’s replacement over the next two years. By the way, I’m not holding any player’s performance against them from last year, Bowers included. I’ll walk away when this new coaching staff walks away.
Now Nicks and Joseph are different stories altogether, but I’ll wait on their prognosis too!
February 25th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
@ Macabee
That would be a brilliant idea if it works. I don’t know if that’s necessarily what they are trying to accomplish, but we will see.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
I have to agree with LUV. Having been an o-line coach, i was very disappointed with this line this year. Footwork and hand placement was horrible and didn’t get any better through the year.
I thought that the O-Line coach did a great job year before last, when they never made the same mistake twice. But last year the players seem to make the same mistakes time and time again. Miss Assignments and Penn and Joseph were 2 of the worst at it. Also the bigger Penn gets throughout the year the slower and worse he gets. If he doesn’t care enough to keep his weight down to a good playing level with being paid for it, then he needs to go.
I’m kind of iffy on Glennon as I can’t blame him for a lot of his sacks as this line let to many things come free and not getting their responsibilities done.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Andrew 1,
Oh, I’m not saying the Bucs are bluffing. As I said in my post, they are serious. What I’m saying is that Penn is still got something left in the tank. I think given all the needs to be addressed in FA, they would much rather see him get in shape and come to play than to have to replace him with a more expensive marginally better player, but one who has had problems staying on the field.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Penn would and will be fine if our QB could move out of the way sometimes. Draft me Johnny Football and this debate will be over
February 25th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Penn got owned last year – anyone who thinks he’s serviceable wasn’t watching games last year.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Bucs better not bring in Albert he isn’t worth the money and is 30 years old already. If they want a replacement LT we need to draft Robinson, Matthews, or Lewan. I say draft a LT in the first round and bring Penn back at a reduced salary.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
would gladly take Donald @ 2.5 Million
February 25th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I still Greg Robinson & Taylor Lewan are the best in the DRAFT
But If your going to spend money on a LT. Why not go after LT Eugene Monroe(26 yrs old), in Baltimore right now, working out at the Under Armour Performance Center on a daily basis.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
I could see the Bucs trading with the Panthers possibly. With Jordan Gross calling it quits Carolina could move up to 7 for a new LT. It would command a high price with several picks which the Bucs could use for depth of quality players. Lovie fired Ron but supposedly there is still a strong relationship there. Carolina is close to where they want to be and if they got a strong LT they would likely be as strong as last season. Just a thought.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
Nobody was good last year, this we know. The problem is that you simply cannot afford to go out and replace the whole damn line. Start with the real issues up the middle. You have one guy who hasn’t played a worthwhile down since arriving, never mind the toe, and another coming off of major surgery. Couple that with average center play. Gee, I wonder why we couldn’t run the football?!
Don’t get me wrong, they need to look at Penn’s eventual replacement, I just don’t think a 30 year old Albert is the answer and clearly, there are bigger issues.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:34 pm
@Bucsfanman
Da Bears did it, worked fine for them
February 25th, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Why would they get rid of a 30 yr old tackle, just to acquire another 30 yr old tackle? Doesn’t make any sense to me. Shouldn’t they look to the draft for Penn’s replacement, but then again I am not a GM.
February 25th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Guard is more broken than tackle right now. I’d restructure Penn then send him to the buffet.
February 25th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
I don’t understand why this is news to everyone. Did’t Glennon lead all QBs in sacks taken or something Godawful like that? Of course they are looking to upgrade the entire line.
February 25th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
per reports, Bucs also considering trading Revis
February 25th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Zuttah and Datson are the only ones i would keep, Due to price age and performance, the rest of the line I would put up for sale, trade them for any draft pick before releasing them.
February 25th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Penn is an above average LT. I know some here don’t agree. That’s because you are clueless.
But I’ve said for quite a while. I think the Bucs will trade Penn. He is one of the the few Bucs with Trade value. This. Roster is horribly lacking in talent, and the new regime needs draft picks to replace some of the lousy players they inherited. Plus- Penn might like to play for a contender! Which won’t be us for a while.
I know some of you will argue about what great talent this 4-12 stinker has.
Again, it’s because you are clueless.
Albert wouldn’t be an upgrade. He would be a stop gap-until we draft a Ypung LT to grow with our Young QB. Penn will be retired when the QB hits his stride.
Albert could “hold the fort”, until next year- when we draft a LT in the first round.
Who, if we are lucky, will become as good as Pennsimeday
February 25th, 2014 at 7:02 pm
” Penn some day”
February 25th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
the hole team played bad,take care of c an g first,penn is fine.
February 25th, 2014 at 7:55 pm
I’m not sure which allowed more pressure on Glennon…
Penn at LT (especially inside where he needed Nicks to pick up the slack)
Nicks toe
Davin’s knee
or the Ghosts of pressure Glennon kept seeing forcing him to roll out into a sack.
Maybe Penn was only partially responsible for the 40 sacks in 13 games, as was Nicks, Joseph, Zuttah, Meredith, Dotson, and yes, even Glennon himself.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:22 pm
Can Penn play guard on a restructured deal? Draft and bring in a free agent at LT.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:05 pm
I don’t buy into this rumor. Sorry, but Albert would probaby cost more than Penn.
Penn was in better shape last year. The reason his game suffered was related to the backups playing on the rest of the line.
Which reminds me…with an injury-plagued line, how can people claim our starters were bad?
Nicks and Joseph were injured. We had a 2nd string RT. The only original starters were Penn and Zuttah, and they received more attention from defenses because of it.
I’ve been saying since last year that we need to get replacements and ease them into the lineup. The smart thing is restructure Penn.
RT, RG and LG are the most important spots this year. And LG might be able to wait a year if Joseph gets healthy. You cannot replace them all this year, so you have to target the higherpriorities.
February 26th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I would suggest Penn take a pay cut & move to RT. Draft Jake Matthews if available if not try & trade down & get Lewan.