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Tough stretch for Dominik

Posted Jun 23, 2010 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Jun 23, 2010 at 11:54 AM

By IRA KAUFMAN

TAMPA—Mark Dominik’s offseason was proceeding smoothly until mid-June rolled around.

That’s when Tampa Bay’s second-year GM experienced a dodgy week that tested his resolve.

Things started unraveling when Dominik gathered the media at the team facility and said restricted free agent LT Donald Penn, who hadn’t signed his tender, would be subject to be fined if he missed mandatory mini-camp or training camp. A few days later, the Bucs said Dominik’s comments were inaccurate, acknowledging Penn is not technically under contract and cannot be fined for skipping camp until he signs the tender.

While Tampa Bay fans pondered whether Dominik was ignorant of some basic CBA rules, the Bucs claim Dominik deliberately misled reporters in an effort to put pressure on Penn and his agent.

Either way, it was an embarrassing episode for an organization straining for credibility.

Later in the week, Dominik informed a group of fans during a question and answer session that Penn had gained a lot of weight toward the end of the 2009 season, negatively impacting his play in the final few games.

Those comments quickly became public when an audio tape of Dominik’s remarks hit the internet.

Even though Penn’s weight gain was documented by the team, Dominik felt he needed to apologize to the man assigned to protect the blind side of franchise quarterback Josh Freeman. Penn and Dominik met before the club’s annual Fan Fest in an effort to clear the air.

Then the Bucs announced they were parting ways with outside linebacker Angelo Crowell, who never played a down for Tampa Bay after signing as a free agent from Buffalo 15 months ago. Crowell missed the 2008 season with the Bills due to a knee injury and then suffered a torn biceps in the Bucs 2009 preseason, ending his year.

Dominik envisioned Crowell competing at strong-side linebacker, but he is now back on the open market and the Bucs are once again looking for someone to challenge Quincy Black.

In the five weeks before the start of training camp, Dominik will focus on signing the remainder of a promising draft class the Bucs feel will contribute immediately. If top picks Gerald McCoy and Brian Price report to camp on time and Penn decides to sign his tender, Dominik’s difficult June stretch will fade into a distant memory.