Todd Bowles Once Again Said Jacob Parrish Could Play Outside
June 10th, 2025
Outside, said Todd Bowles.
A lot of Bucs fans — including Joe — seem to have rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish penciled in as the starting nickel corner.
Bowles once again took to his forum to warn people that Parrish playing nickel may not be the case.
In this morning’s practice, Parrish was playing nickel corner. Don’t get used to it, Bowles warned the local pen and mic club. Parrish play in the slot today, Bowles said, because the Bucs were down bodies.
“He plays outside,” said of Parrish. Not that Bowles did not qualify his statement. “It’s just the lack of nickels we have with ‘Izzy’ (Christian Izien) down right now in order for him to get all of his reps in.”
Bowles seems reluctant to train Parrish to be both an outside and a slot corner as a rookie.
“If we put him outside and inside, it would be taxing him twice as much as everybody else,” Bowles said. “We try to limit it this camp, or definitely today.”
So could Parrish actually start over Jamel Dean or Zyon McCollum? Joe wouldn’t bet on it, but it does seem that Bowles told his defense, best two corners start no matter if they have a ring or are rookies.
Parrish nearly had a pick today, which easily could have been a pick-six when he jumped a route and nearly stole the ball from Emeka Egbuka on a pass from Baker Mayfield to the left sideline.
“He’ll probably hear about that,” Bowles predicted with his very dry humor.
June 10th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
He was drafted as a CB. It’s only the media projecting him as a NB. He could play both, but he was drafted as a CB. Reality vs. media narratives. Know the difference.
June 10th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Wasn’t he working on the jugs with double E? Better put in some more time there dude. We need more interceptions this year!
June 10th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
I think by the end of training camp Morrison and Parrish will be the starting outside CBs and Zyon will be the starter at slot CB.
June 10th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
It’s about time our CB’s are finally getting past step 1 – their head turned around looking at the QB and ball. They’re in step 2 getting their hands on the ball, but they need to get the step 3 and catch the ball. Maybe there’s a step 4, pick six?
June 10th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Bowles need to done with Dean cause he plays too passive n stiff n hasn’t done nothing to help the team. Now this JParrish guy is hungry, plays aggressive, has a nose for the ball,and is consistent. I can say the same about Morrison n McCullom , n BHall, something JDean lacks. I believe we should trade JDean n get whatever we can for him n go with Parrish, Morrison, BHall, n McCollum, whom all play loose n aggressive. I rest my case.
June 10th, 2025 at 5:45 pm
If we pick up J. Alexander, will Dean be the odd man out?
June 10th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Joe … ‘it does seem that Bowles told his defense, best two corners start no matter if they have a ring or are rookies.’
Interesting tidbit Joe. Wouldn’t it be logical to assume that Todd feels that way about other defensive positions also? Kinda makes it sound like Todd also believes in COMPETITION for defensive starting positions.
Nah, that’s not Todd. His mind’s already made up about who’ll start on defense for Game 1. Check the JBF archives. LOTS of JBFers’ comments about who the Game 1 starters will be already. (Any hints BTW how I can turn off this sarcasm key Joe before Pickgrin skewers me again?).
June 10th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
If the rookies earn the start during training camp, then let them start. If Dean is unable the see himself as a non starter. Then start making plans for a trade before end of Training camp. There are quite a few takers out there right now. If that decision on the starters is made early in training camp. Then, I am all for the rookies and a trade of Dean. Even though I like Dean, I am a Bucs fan first. Go Bucs.
June 10th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Our coach loves the cross training. Have every player play at every position. That way they know a little about a lot of things, and are excellent at none.
Expect Vita Vea to play some strong safety and Sir Vocea Dennis to play nose tackle. Brilliant.
June 10th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Parish will be the starting slot corner opening day.
June 10th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
If the rookies have a shot to start Dean could get traded to the Bengals in a trade for Hendrickson
June 10th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Badbucs Says:
June 10th, 2025 at 5:45 pm
And why would they do that?
June 10th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Usfbucs Says:
June 10th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
NOT. GONNA. HAPPEN. Keep dreaming.
June 10th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Not unusual at all to cross train defensive backs. Either nickel/safety or CB/nickel depending on the players skill set. I imagine it’s utilized by most, if not all NFL teams.
It’s really not rocket science – there are only so many assignments depending on the defensive call (cover 1, 2, 3 etc).
It would definitely be coaching malpractice NOT to have Parrish cross train at nickel and corner.
It’s not complicating the defense – the players aren’t morons.
June 10th, 2025 at 9:25 pm
@FilthyAnimal
Basically because right now anybody would be an upgrade over Dean. Alexander has been a much better CB in his career than Dean has & it wouldn’t surprise me if they might consider Pratt. They could use another LB.
June 10th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
@FilthyAnimal
Especially with the WRs in that division now (London & McMillan) they need somebody more consistent at CB. Plus alot of the WRs are tall, too!
June 10th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Maybe look at it this way: if you were a starting quarterback and your team just drafted two “starting-level” quarterbacks in the last draft. Automatically, you’d and everyone else would be thinking that your sub-par, quarterback-starting job has come to an abrupt end.
But, in this case, just insert “Dean” and “cornerback.”
June 10th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
GoneGator= Agree.
June 10th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Dean almost picks off lots of passes. Best I have seen at that!
June 10th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
Badbucs Alexander has missed 20 games the last 2 years and you want him. He ain’t getting no younger. The GM of the packers said they gotten so use to him not playing they won’t miss him.
June 10th, 2025 at 11:28 pm
Have we flipped our defensive secondary from being a liability to being a potential strength?
Dean, Zion, Morrison, Parrish, Hayes, Vildor….AWJ, Tykee, Izien, Merriweather
+ Some interesting UDFA’s
Seems like a pretty solid group to me. Much improved talent/depth compared to last year.
June 11th, 2025 at 12:01 am
GoneGator, Bryce Hall was our 3 corner last year and dislocated his ankle and broke his leg opening day. He’s back to full strength and had an interception today. I think he may be pretty good.
June 11th, 2025 at 1:48 am
@Kenton
Forgot to add him too 👍🏼
June 11th, 2025 at 2:49 am
Players play. They rarely know their zone assignments. That is a coaching flaw. Until we see some Buccaneer zone defense, it’s on the coaches more than the players for not ensuring they know their assignments. Especially the half time DC, whose other half time job is to be head coach.
June 11th, 2025 at 9:14 am
What’s this we hear? Vita Vea playing some strong safety? Limited range, but boy would we pay to see him lay a receiver out!
Remember the time in Dallas when the zebras flagged Scott Brantley for hitting a Cowboy too hard.