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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4-12, 2-4 NFC South (4th)
Team RankingOverallRushingPassing
Offense21st91.1 (30th)228.1 (16th)
Defense29th156.1 (32nd)238.4 (21st)
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Buccaneers report: Notes, quotes

 
Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant
 

--A "significant amount," of the $20 million in guarantees is tied to left tackle Donald Penn keeping his weight under control.

Penn signed a six-year, $48 million contract Saturday and reported to training camp. But a key component of the negotiation centered on Penn agreeing to tie a good chunk of payouts to keeping his weight down.

Penn will be weighed six times a year and must keep the scales between 330 and 335 pounds. General manager Mark Dominik said Penn gained 40 pounds during the 2009 season.

Penn says he has lost about 30 pounds but planned to do it regardless of the Bucs' directive.

"In January I hired a nutritionist and a trainer," Penn said. "I had that set up before negotiations were set up, before I got tendered, because I wanted to better me as a person and better my health.

"It's not healthy to be this size and be out there in that heat. So I did it for me, because when I get older I want to be able to go out there and run and play basketball with my son (Donald Penn III)."

--The Bucs had several other RFAs besides Penn who weren't granted contract extensions, a list that includes running back Cadillac Williams, tackle Jeremy Trueblood and wide receiver Maurice Stovall.

But the guy who could have a beef with the organization is linebacker Barrett Ruud.

Ruud has led the team in tackles three years in a row and for more than a year, been seeking a long-term contract extension, only to be rebuffed again. He did not hold out, as Penn did, but Ruud certainly would be among those who would have a reaction to Penn's extension.

Knowing that, coach Raheem Morris went to Ruud preemptively and informed him ahead of Penn's signing. Morris also attempted to give Ruud a little perspective.

"I went straight to Barrett," Morris said. "I said, 'Here's Penn's deal. He's going to be here. Want to know what you gotta do? Let's get focused, let's go out here and be the best Buc you can be.' So, his mindset is there where, (he says), 'Hey, we're not cheap as they say. So let me go out there and be the best Buccaneer I can be and then I'll get rewarded when it's my turn.'"

Ruud is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season and it's very possible he will go to the open market and try to determine his value.

--Coming off a 3-13 season, coach Raheem Morris knows that people outside of One Buc Place don't have very high expectations for his team in 2010.

But after players reported to training camp Friday, Morris talked to his team about posting a double-digit win season that he believes might get them into the playoffs.

"Last year doesn't matter right now, we're 0-0," Morris said. "And by the same token, '02 doesn't matter right now. You can't go back and dig up a championship just like you can't go out and dig up a bad season. That's over with.

"The message I give to these guys is it's a race to 10 (wins). It's a race to 10 ... once you get there, you give yourself a chance to get into postseason play. And once you get into postseason play? Start flipping coins.

"It's bold statement. I know national guys probably don't look at it that way. I know you guys probably don't look at it that way. But our mentality? That's what it is."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think I'll sleep a lot better." -- QB Josh Freeman, after LT Donald Penn signed a six-year, $48 million contract that included nearly $20 million guaranteed.

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