Donald Penn will start zone-blocking school with all his 2008 linemates soon

Apparently the Bucs won’t be shopping for a starting left tackle when free agency starts this week.

Today rags-to-riches story Donald Penn was given what some call a maximum tender offer for a restricted free agent, reports the St. Pete Times.

Penn will earn roughly $2.8-million if he ends up playing for the tendered offer. He stood to make more on the open market. The way things stand, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2010.

For another team to acquire Penn this year, it would have to give the Bucs a first and third round draft pick, and beat the $2.8 million salary. The Bucs could always match the deal and keep him.

Joe is all in favor of keeping the Bucs young offensive line together. Now they just need a beast of a running back to team with Earnest Graham. Joe is mourning the reports on NFL.com that Brandon Jacobs has re-signed with the Giants.