McCoy, Penn agree to contracts with Buccaneers


General manager Mark Dominik announced the developments Saturday during the club's first practice. Penn joined the workout about 15 minutes later, and there was a chance McCoy would join the team at One Buc Place by the end of the day.

"We're finishing up some language and paperwork," Dominik said of McCoy, the third overall pick in this year's draft out of Oklahoma. The Bucs are counting on the 6-foot-4, 295-pound tackle to fill a hole on the defensive line that's existed since Warren Sapp departed Tampa Bay after the 2003 season.

"It's a great day for the Bucs," the general manager added, "in terms of securing two players to long-term deals that can be really important to this organization."

Penn is a sixth-year pro who's appeared in 48 career games, including 44 straight as the Bucs' starting left tackle. He declined a $3.168 million tender offer and stayed away from the team's voluntary offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp while seeking a long-term contract that's worth about $43 million.



"I said: Let's get it done. Let's make some sacrifices if we need to. ... It wasn't about financial security. I wanted longevity, a commitment," Penn said. "That's what I got."


"I understand the business of this game. ... That's just what it was," the coach said. "It was a business deal."


"He understands how important he is. He understands his role, especially when you're talking about the third pick of the draft," Morris said.

"You're not talking about a guy who feels like he got hosed. You're not talking about a guy that feels like he doesn't belong or is not wanted. You're talking about a cornerstone to our defense. There's no secret behind it. I knew it was just a matter of time" before a deal was done.

The Associated Press


