Bucs worried about Donald Penn’s conditioning?

Why haven’t the Bucs signed Donald Penn to a long-term deal? This will give Freeman stability on his weak side. It’s been a relevant question for a long time, and there still isn’t an easy answer. There are probably a couple of reasons. For one, the Bucs are within their rights to tender the restricted free agent offer of $3.1 million Penn was given. He is hardly the only RFA to be affected by the league’s labor mess, one that has delayed unrestricted free agency for more than 200 players. The Bucs are leery about setting a precedent here. Also, general manager Mark Dominik is right to wonder whether Penn will continue to show his current dedication to keeping himself in shape rather than gain more than 40 pounds like last season. Still, the Bucs are putting themselves in a tough position when you consider that arguably their best offensive lineman is 3,000 miles away in California and showing no intention of showing up any time soon. — St. Petersburg Times