ALAMEDA – Donald Penn carried some anxiety into Sunday’s game at Tennessee. That’s uncharacteristic for someone of his quality and experience level. This wasn’t an ordinary season opener.
A contract holdout abbreviated Penn’s preseason, leaving a handful of practices and 19 snaps of game action to get ready.
Penn returned to the Raiders Aug. 23 in great shape thanks to an intense private workout regimen with personal trainers, former players and a position-specific drills.
There’s a difference between cardiovascular shape and football shape. Penn knows that, planned ahead.
“I’m not going to lie to you.