The Lone Buc To Pancake Derrick Brooks
October 30th, 2013
Joe will enjoy celebrating Donald Penn this week, as No. 70 will start his 100th consecutive game for the Buccaneers on Sunday in Seattle.
It’s been quite a rise for Penn, from undrafted free agent to big contracts, the Pro Bowl and being named by his peers to the NFL Network’s Top-100 list.
Joe’s going to share a lot about Penn in the coming days. This evening, Joe spent time with Derrick Brooks to talk about Penn, his former teammate, and Brooks had plenty to say. Here’s one fun nugget from Penn’s early days.
“He was one of those young players that at a point in my career challenged me every day to make sure I stayed sharp,” Brooks said of Penn. “I didn’t want him to build his reputation on me every day in practice. But I can most humbly admit, in terms of practice, that he is the only guy that ever pancaked me. And he never lets me forget it.
“It was a screen play that I had beat him thousands of times on. This one particular day [in 2007], they decided in their offensive meeting room, Jon Gruden had designed this particular play against me, and I took my eye off him for maybe half a second and he got in on my pads and he put me flat on my back. He was the only guy that every pancaked me in practice. It comes up every three or four conversations we have. He brings it up. He’ll definitely tell you the time, date, play count, if you ask him.
“That’s important for me to mention because that helps show how proud of him I am. That’s the one word that I use, especially these past few years, of how he’s come to work every single day despite the team’s troubles, him stepping up, being a leader, playing through it, never complain, punch that clock every day. He’s one of the guys that, you know, I really live through playing this game. He leans on me and I want to always keep encouraging him.”
October 30th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
I’m a big fan of Donald Penn. It’s too bad this is a wasted season, because we have such talented players who like Penn don’t have that many years left.
Now it seems everybody is just waiting for Schiano to get fired. Hopefully next year will be different.
October 30th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
cool nugget there Joe. oh and btw I would read that book.
October 30th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
I like Penn a lot, but don’t ya think he’s underperformed this year? Its a shame not too long ago this was one of the best O-lines in the NFL with the likes of Penn, Joseph, Zuttah, Jeff Faine, and even Jeremy Trueblood was part of that gang.
October 30th, 2013 at 10:46 pm
Designed a play in practice?
What a concept!
October 30th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
A refreshingly positive story – nice Joe.
Fire Schiano.
October 30th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
I’ve been drinking so forgive me, but what if we win out, qualifying for the playoffs, and win the super bowl? Lol….I’ve been drinking.
October 30th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Jesus christ Joe, the first story in a long time which did not make me angry. Did someone else write this.
how about more stories like this instead of trying to drive “the agenda”. I know that takes more work, effort and commitment than throwing rocks.
but what do you say?
There is no “agenda.” It’s really laughable to Joe, always has been, that so many think Joe sits around crafting plans and agendas about what to do around here. This isn’t a sitcom or a political organization.–Joe
October 31st, 2013 at 12:26 am
Glazers this guy NEEDS to be the next GM>> We have are Ozzie Newsome in DB
October 31st, 2013 at 12:27 am
Donald Penn used to throw pancakes.. now he’s too busy eating them
October 31st, 2013 at 1:06 am
lol
October 31st, 2013 at 1:48 am
John, I’ve had the same thought. Brooks as GM? I’d love it!
October 31st, 2013 at 4:08 am
Penn has been a tremendous left tackle for us. Gotta be the most underrated player on this team. He shuts down the leagues best pass rushers with such regularity, that he is taken for granted here most will not appreciate how good he is, until he retires. Then, we will draft a LT in the first round, pay him twice as much- and he won’t do half the job.
Penn is the ONLY linemen to play well this year. It’s to bad we have never managed to put a line around him. Zuttah/Larsen have been bad at LG/center. Nicks hasn’t played. Joseph has been terrible. Dotson is a lil above average at RT.
We haven’t lined anybody good next to Penn since Sears left.
That’s a looong time, not to be able to find a guard.
Despite that. Penn has still been a dominant left tackle. It’s an amazing display of longevity.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:46 am
Great story. Wish i heard more of this stuff. JBo$$ that was hilarious.
Still think Penn needs to be replaced Joe or is does this Matthews talk involve moving Penn somewhere else. From what I have seen this year I would think Penn would get beat out at LT by a top 5 pick.