Earlier today, the folks at JoeBucsFan.com passed along to us a link to an eye-opening item in which G.M. Mark Dominik explained the team’s basis for not signing left tackle Donald Penn to a long-term deal.
Basically, Dominik said that Penn likes to eat too much.
We’re now advised that new Bucs spokesman Jonathan Grella has contacted JoeBucsFan.com to explain that Dominik’s comments -- from an open Q&A session with season-ticket holders -- were off the record.
Seriously.
Again, we’re not chapter-and-verse conversant in the finer points of textbook journalism. But we didn’t know that the rules of “off the record” commentary applied when a person is speaking publicly before a group of non-reporters.
JoeBucsFan.com has removed the story containing Dominik’s quotes at the request of the Buccaneers. We’ve received no similar request.
Meanwhile, we’re left to wonder whether there’s anyone at One Buc Place who isn’t hopelessly in over his or her head.