TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

OT Penn Steps Into Spotlight

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

Updated: 10/06/2007 01:11 am

TAMPA - The scene around Tampa Bay left tackle Donald Penn's locker had been serene since training camp broke in late August.

Penn spent most of his down time alone, or joking with left guard Anthony Davis, a big brother-type who loves to constantly pick on his friend. Reporters rarely spoke to Penn. Essentially, he was unknown.

That all changed for Penn after Tampa Bay was forced to place starting left tackle Luke Petitgout on injured reserve after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in last Sunday's 20-7 win against Carolina.

This week, the space around Penn's locker was crowded with reporters, who wanted to talk about his first professional start on Sunday against Indianapolis.

On Monday, a member of Tampa Bay's public relations staff stood near Penn, listening intently to his first major interview. After several minutes, the staffer gave reporters two more questions before ending Penn's interview session, a courtesy normally reserved for the Bucs' star players.

'I watched that Tiki Barber commercial where he's driving the Escalade and talking about his opportunity,' Penn said. 'Every time I saw that commercial, I'm saying, 'I'm just waiting on mine. I'm going to get mine.' You only get one.'

Penn's opportunity comes a year after he was not selected in the 2006 draft. The former Utah State standout was released by Minnesota before last season, and he spent a month on its practice squad. Penn, 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, signed with Tampa Bay on Oct. 4, 2006, but he was inactive for the final 13 games.

This season was supposed to be Penn's opportunity to learn behind Petitgout, but that knee injury has pushed him into the starting lineup.

'He went against some good defensive linemen last week in Carolina,' Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia said. 'I felt that he stepped in and took advantage of that opportunity. He stepped up and did a solid job of blocking for the run. We didn't pass the ball a whole lot while he was in the game.

'But as far as his blocking technique, his attitude, his intensity, it was all there, and I like to see that and I want that to just continue to grow within him.'

Garcia needs Penn to grow into a standout offensive lineman - and fast.

Penn will play alongside rookie guard Arron Sears, putting the onus on two inexperienced linemen to protect Garcia's blind side. In addition, Penn has to face Colts Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.

'You can call any of the Pro Bowl left tackles who have seen Freeney in the last five years and they will all tell you this guy's a beast,' Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. 'Penn has to hunker down. He has got to be prepared for some incredible speed around the corner, great counter moves, tremendous power and unbelievable stamina.

'Freeney's the best, in my opinion, and Penn has got to compete with him, know what to do, and he's got to keep battling because there isn't going to be one play off for him.'

Penn is just happy to play, regardless of who it is against, or how much attention he now receives at his locker.

'The NFL is all about opportunities. I've been waiting on my opportunity,' Penn said. 'They gave me my opportunity, and I went in there last Sunday and tried to grab my opportunity. I have to keep working.

'You've got to do your job. That's what we get paid for. I was ready for my opportunity. I've been waiting on it. I'm happy I got it. Now I have to keep it up. I have my work cut out for me this week.'

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT