Todd Bowles Talks Importance Of Rookies Jacob Parrish And Benjamin Morrison
April 28th, 2025
Rookie Bucs cornerback Benjamin Morrison.
Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator/head coach Todd Bowles weighed publicly today on his newly drafted cornerbacks.
Those are Benjamin Morrison out of Notre Dame (Round 2) and third-round pick Jacob Parrish out of Kansas State. Each just turned 21 years old and is known for athleticism and ballhawk ways.
Morrison is also known for his injury history, which likely kept him from being a first-round draft pick.
“It was important for us to get some corners,” Bowles said of the draft on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “We had a lot of injuries the last two years at that position. We were banged up and we needed more production, ball production that way. And we think we found two corners that can come in and play and help us right away with [Jacob] Parrish and with [Benjamin] Morrison. So that speaks a lot because we didn’t have a lot of depth to begin with.”
Bowles added that he’s fired up for competition across his defense. Joe is, too.
It would be something special if Morrison can outshine a healthy Jamel Dean, who has a habit of looking very good and healthy through August. Dean has answered the bell for Week 1 in all of his six Bucs seasons.
April 28th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Davis & Dean were 2nd & 3rd round picks and turned out pretty well….I actually think this duo is better….
April 28th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Davis and Dean both missed 25 % of games over their careers.
Not stellar.
April 28th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Heard there are two players that will be playing both ways in the NFL this season: Travis Hunter WR/CB and Baker Mayfield QB/ILB
April 28th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
“It was important for us to get some corners,” Bowles said of the draft
If it was that important to them, they would’ve taken Barron in round 1.
Instead they chose to go WR and neglect the weakest area of the defense.
Now we’re stuck with an often injured CB and a smaller CB.
Remember this when the pass defense fritters away games in 2025.
Insanity is doing the same thing while expecting different results.
April 28th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Man i swear it feels so good to a Bucs fan! Jason Licht and staff are among the best in the league, it’s not really much more we can ask for outside of another superbowl and some new threads. It’s the GOLDEN years for the team Glazers, let’s see us in some new swag please lol
April 28th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Joe: Have they said whether or not Morrison will be ready by OTA?
April 28th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Todd Bowles … ‘“It was important for us to get some corners. And we think we found two corners that can come in and play and help us right away with [Jacob] Parrish and with [Benjamin] Morrison. So that speaks a lot because we didn’t have a lot of depth to begin with.”
Todd’s right there. Look at our def snaps from last season:
o McCollum – 1056 def snaps (17 games)
o Dean – 697 def snaps (12 games)
o Hayes – 265 def snaps (15 games)
o Funderburk – 162 def snaps (13 games)
o Thomas – 45 def snaps (17 games)
o Bryce Hall – 17 def snaps (1 game)
o Izien (Nickel & Safety) – 697 def snaps (14 games)
o Tykee Smith (Nickel & Safety) – 612 def snaps (13 games)
o Hill, Isaac & Flowers (all CBs) got zero def snaps each, but did each get some S/Ts snaps last season.
Looking at the Bucs’ team roster as of right now, Thomas, Hill, Isaac & Flowers are no longer with us, but Funderburk & Hayes still are (for now). So yes, Bucs added some much-needed depth by drafting Morrison & Parrish (and the 2 of them certainly improve on the 4 we’re no longer carrying).
We now have Dean, McCollum, Bryce Hall, Morrison & Funderburk to play outside, plus Izien & Parrish to focus on Nickel (assuming Tykee Smith gets moved to Safety). Got a hunch TB will carry 6 of those 7 on the final roster, plus 3 or 4 Safeties (Winfield, Tykee Smith, Merriweather, maybe 1 more). If we have mega-injuries again, wouldn’t be surprised to see Hayes & Funderburk back on the roster. It’ll also be interesting to see if Shilo Sanders has was it takes to make the Final-53.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Well SwissCheeseD, way to bring optimism to the preseason! Why don’t we just let training camp unfold and see what we actually have. If it doesn’t pan out then bring your gloom and doom analysis back.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
Swiss cheese, I wouldn’t call having corrective surgery on a birth defect in his hips being hurt offen. He missed 1 game in 23. Dean misses how many games a season? Buccaneers didn’t neglect the defense as 5 out of the 6 picks were defense. They chose a WR as it was the best player available at that pick and we did have a need at that position. Morrison was considered first round talent and a excellent value pick. Parrish is also a great pick that we needed.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
I am with DR.
The defensive backs (if no injuries) are mostly decided.
McCollum, Dean, Morrison, and Hall as 4 primary outside to start training camp.
Izien starting Nickle with Parish there. 2 DBs.
Then
Winfield and Smith as starting safeties. 2 there.
Total 8 guys as primary.
I tend to think we will keep 9 or 10 and that Merriweather has the inside track over anyone else.
Obviously depending on camp reps and understanding guys may get moved around a little. We also know that Izien plays safety so not locking him into nickle and nothing else.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
How can anyone justify going offense in the first round when clearly the defense has held this team back for three years in a row?
And the exact type of defensive back needed was right there for the taking.
If you were really serious about upgrading at CB, you take Barron at 19 and trade up in round two a few spots and grab Will Johnson as well.
Then if you need a WR in round 3 go for it. Even though it still isn’t the biggest need.
You really should have gone defense in the first four then go WR in round five, or wait till 7th and get the guy you picked anyway.
Reality is not gloom and doom or negativity. It’s the real world facts in front of your face.
But some of you just prefer your soothing comfortable lies over reality.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
SwissCheeseDefense Says:
April 28th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Insanity is doing the same thing while expecting different results.
^^^^^^^
Like you complaining all of the time when the Bucs have made the playoffs how many years in a row? That kind of insanity? Complaining about something you have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA how it will turn out, that’s insanity, or just being a weak minded sissy. Either way, not good.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
If Evan’s (who is in a contract year) retires next February after the boat parade, fans would be screaming at Licht if he hadn’t drafted a replacement this season.
Yes, we have needs on defense, but ignoring potential needs in the future on the offense can come back and bite you in a big way.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
SwissCheeseDefense Says:
April 28th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
How can anyone justify going offense in the first round when clearly the defense has held this team back for three years in a row?
^^^^^^^^
You probably wouldn’t have taken Mike Evans or Chris Godwin in the draft either, but those guys worked out. Think about the leadership Mike Evans has brought to the Bucs. That’s what the Bucs think Egbuka will bring, also (while also being a Cooper Kupp-type).
April 28th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
@Robertg We drafted 2 WRs, 2 CBs, 1 edge, and 1 DL.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Nice snap breakdown posted.. Good corners should be able to step right in and contribute I think. Excited to see Tykee play safety if that happens. Parrish played 470 snaps out wide and 90 in the slot this year.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:23 pm
As for the “smaller CB” comment, I remember some Bucs “fans” questioning the draft pick of Antoine Winfield Jr. because he’s “a shrimp”. More recently, I remember people questioning the Bucky Irving pick because he’s too small and too slow, supposedly. There are hundreds of examples of NFL CB’s being 5′-10″ or shorter that balled out.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Joe in Michigan
I’m not saying EE isn’t talented, nor am I saying WR wasn’t a need.
Defense wins championships and we missed a golden opportunity to try and fix it.
Yeah we go to the playoffs three years but mostly just lose. Except against a severely hurt and floundering Eagles team.
Winning the NFC South is the Superbowl, when TB zero is the HC.
28-27
April 28th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Defense Rules:
The only thing I’ll add—I’m not convinced Parrish *can’t* play on the outside yet. And clearly, the team thinks he can, based on the corners they left on the board. Just my opinion, or I think they would have drafted someone else.
Short *Successful* Corners
You don’t need to be 6’2″ to lock down NFL receivers. Some of the best cornerbacks in league history stood under 6 feet and still dominated:
– **Ronde Barber (5’10”)** – Hall of Famer, Bucs legend, 47 INTs
– **Darrell Green (5’9″)** – Speed icon, 7× Pro Bowler
– **Chris Harris Jr. (5’10”)** – Super Bowl champ, All-Decade team
– **Asante Samuel (5’10”)** – 51 INTs, 2× Super Bowl winner
– **Trent McDuffie (5’11”)** – All-Pro, cornerstone of the Chiefs’ defense
– **Tyrann Mathieu (5’9″)** – Hybrid DB, 3× All-Pro, Super Bowl champ
– **Cortland Finnegan (5’10”)** – Pro Bowler, physical and aggressive playstyle
– **Brent Grimes (5’10”)** – 4× Pro Bowler, 33 INTs, incredible leaping ability and ball skills
Height isn’t everything. With the right traits—instincts, footwork, and competitiveness—undersized corners can still dominate.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Josh … I don’t disagree with you at all that some shorter CBs can play outside. At Safety too, where they have to be able to deal with matchups like with monster TEs or tall WRs like ME13. biut my bet would be that Todd Bowles will give preference to taller CBs IF everything else be even.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
SwissCheese.
How a defense plays at during the playoffs matter. Not as much their statistical rankings during the season.
FYI —
in 2023 bucs offense was 20th ranked points and the defense was 7th ranked.
in 2022 bucs offense was 25th ranked points and the defense was 13th ranked.
But again playoffs matter more. Lets remember the Bucs defense in the 2020 playoffs. They did its job against Brees, Rodgers, and Mahomes.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:38 pm
I wonder if Bryce Hall is looking healthy enough to compete for a chance to contribute this season as well.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
SwissCheeseDefense … ‘Defense wins championships and we missed a golden opportunity to try and fix it.’
I was admittedly very disappointed that the Bucs didn’t grab a monster DT/NT in Rnd 1 or 2 because I happen to believe that lack of a CONSISTENT pass rush in the interior DLine is our biggest weakness on defense (our other problems IMO stem from that). But I’ll be the first to admit that we picked up a heck of a player in Emeka Egbuka who’ll benefit us for years into the future. That’s what JL gets paid the big bucks for, not us.
April 28th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Josh…
I bet that height isn’t even accurate for Grimes. That dude might be 5′ 10″ if he’s standing in combat boots or Prince/Kiss style platforms. 😜
He played here when he was on the older side of prime and was a really solid corner. That dude could hop!!
April 28th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Also, teams rarely have two primary receivers up over 6′ 2″.
As long as you have a mix of height and some good athleticism in your secondary, you can always matchup is needed needed. Dean, McCollum and now Morrison have proven track records of matching up well against taller receivers.
April 28th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
You guys keep changing names but you can’t avoid saying the same shlt.
@swisscheese, let me guess…. You think Mike McCarthy should be our coach. Lol
April 28th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
If healthy may be steal of the draft.
April 28th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
SwissCheeseDefense Says:
April 28th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
“It was important for us to get some corners,” Bowles said of the draft
If it was that important to them, they would’ve taken Barron in round 1.
—————————-
Been there done that! No more Barrons at safety in the first round!!
April 28th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
I’ve been banging the Morrison drum for months. If he’s anything like 2022 and 2023, he is a much better football player than Dean and he WILL be starting. I understand this is SEC and Gator country and all but this isn’t early 2000’s Notre Dame anymore, they get some real dudes now. Everyone was a little pissed about the Antoine Winfield pick too because he isn’t big, dealt with some injuries – and it took all of a game for people to love the guy. Same thing will happen with Morrison
April 28th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
Everyone is knocking Morrison for being injury prone like Dean, but also saying he won’t see the field with Dean starting. These are contradictory complaints. If he’s not on the field much, he won’t get injured. Seems to me he is there to start a few games while Dean is inevitably injured at some point.
April 28th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Offense sputtered most of the playoff game versus Washington back in January. It’ll be different next January with a healthy wr arsenal
April 28th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Didn’t hear. He may. It’s underwear football.
April 28th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
Cheezehead, there are lots of holes in your theory and judgement! You sound like a 20 or 30 something that thinks they know it all, Like Mel K. (who is retarded). I’ve followed the Bucs from day 1! I have seen it all. Remember Why-Not-Minot? The Bucs did a fabulous job of drafting this year. Get over yourself like Kiper needs to do! GO BUCS!!!
April 28th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
just a thought… dean is a pretty big corner and a solid tackler. could we move him inside to slot? that way he won’t be playing 100% of the snaps. and he’d be better suited for the matchup if he ends up on a tight end. he’s a few inches taller and weighs more than parrish or morrison.
morrison could be cb2 and parrish could be depth inside or out. I know bowles likes tall guys outside but parrish is fast so in man coverage, cover 3, or cover 4, he can keep up on deep balls.
April 28th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
GoneGator Says:
“@swisscheese, let me guess…. You think Mike McCarthy should be our coach. Lol”
Yes, I do in fact think he would be better. He did more with lesser talent in a vastly better division than Bowles ever could.
We need an actual HC. Not an imposter that was forced on us.
April 28th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
BassCrazy Says:
“The Bucs did a fabulous job of drafting this year. Get over yourself like Kiper needs to do! GO BUCS!!!”
You have no idea how they drafted, if I also have no idea.
All I’m saying is they should have focused on the issue at hand.
Which is by far the freaking defense.
I’m sure the next HC will love the pick of EE after Bowles is shown the door.
28-27
April 28th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
Swiss just changed his name. He has never been happy with anything the team does. By the way. Licht has to justify nothing to anyone but the owners. Any of our opinions or b!itching mean nothing.