Donald Penn Close To A Deal. Or Not.
February 12, 2009 at 09:34am by Scott • 3 Comments »
I love it when this kind of thing happens to competing newspapers. Regarding Donald Penn:
No Progress In Talks Between Bucs, Lineman Penn
Just talked to Donald Penn and he is ready to strike a deal.
Whoever turns out to be wrong should have to buy the other one a muffin basket. Nothing says “You were right and I’m a tool” like a muffin basket. Plus I just like to say “muffin basket” because it sounds kind of dirty.
My gut feeling is that Penn will take a deal and avoid free agency. Mark Dominik seems like he’s not shy about re-signing players and is more inclined to give in to various player demands than Bruce Allen ever was. And that’s fine for the immediate future, but may have salary cap implications down the line. Of course, if there’s no salary cap anymore, Dominik will look brilliant for locking these players up at reasonable rates.
If Penn does sign, that pretty much eliminates the possibility of the Bucs going after Jordan Gross. And then the team will have to add some depth to both tackle positions; they have a lot of flexibility at guard and center, but tackle looks kind of thin.
Various people are also reporting that Antonio Bryant is in deep conversations with the Bucs and by all accounts, talks are going well toward a long-term extension. Everyone is speculating that if a deal isn’t reached that the Bucs will put the franchise tag on Bryant, and I agree with that. But the Bucs haven’t said that publicly, so keep that in mind. I can’t imagine them letting him get to free agency, though. Sign Bryant.
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3 Comments to “Donald Penn Close To A Deal. Or Not.”
Slow Joe (February 12, 2009 at 01:41pm) :
Penn seems decent in pass protection, but I don’t think he’ll ever be a decent run blocker. I think they should sign him, of course, but not to some huge contract. And, for Christ’s sake, draft a fucking left tackle high for the first time in like 78 years! When was the last one we drafted high? Charles McRae?
Matt Price (February 12, 2009 at 07:34pm) :
I say let’s see what these guys have under new coaching (ex-Muir) before we go drafting more linemen. I think, with competent coaching, the group we have (including Penn) should be able to do a pretty decent job.
Mark S (February 13, 2009 at 08:01am) :
The scenario I liked most in the position analysis was keeping both Penn and Trueblood, but drafting or signing a significant upgrade. Gross was a possibility until Peppers said he wants out. Now with no need to try and sign both, Carolina can put the price on Gross out of reach.
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