Todd Bowles Gets Candid About Benjamin Morrison; GM Lauds Rookie
November 19th, 2025
Problems broken down by coach.
Rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison’s growing pains have been felt by Bucs fans, especially the past two weeks.
Joe’s not exaggerating.
Morrison has been roasted and toasted by the Patriots and Bills. Matthew Stafford and the high-flying Rams await.
Before Sunday’s kickoff in Buffalo, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said, via the Buccaneers Radio Network, his 2025 second-round draft pick “had a little bit of a welcome-to-the-NFL moment” against the Patriots. But Licht noted fans should be bullish on Morrison because he’s showing his promise on the field.
“Don’t sleep on Ben Morrison,” Licht said with conviction.
Joe heard that and smiled, and then Joe really perked up when starting cornerback Jamel Dean got hurt in the first quarter minutes later. Morrison was thrust into action. It didn’t go well.
Yesterday, Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network that Morrison had “two busts” in the game and is thinking too much.
“Ben knew the gameplan, obviously, he had two bad plays [in Buffalo]. Obviously he can’t have the two plays that he had,” Bowles said.
“He’s getting more experience and he’s coming into his own right now. But Dean just has more experience right now and has made more plays. So losing somebody like that — and you’re losing your playmaker — and having a guy that’s just coming into it and having to get more reps, you know, you lose a little bit mentally that way. But [Morrison] fought and he battled. Obviously he didn’t lose the game. He made some decent plays then he had two busts.”
Bowles went on to explain what’s dragging down Morrison’s game.
“Seeing things for the first time, I think it’s translating different in the pros than it does in college,” Bowles said. “And I think he’s very bright mentally and he’s trying to put two and two together and I think he’s doing a good job at handling all that. He just has to handle his spot and not try to see the entire game. That’s when he gets in trouble. When he doesn’t look at his side and he tries to see the entire game, then he starts thinking too much when he just goes out and plays his game, and uses his fundamentals and technique. He’s great.”
Simply stated: Morrison is a rookie and he’s no Jacob Parrish.
November 19th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Oh Brother. We are about to really lose 4 of 5 games wont we??
November 19th, 2025 at 11:54 am
The lack of accountability for this team continues! I’m not saying you’ve got to throw the guy under the bus (the loss is more on bowles than him), but the way they’re talking about him, you’d think he won NFC player of the week.
November 19th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Morrison is doing fine for a rookie. I’m more concerned how Mccolum is giving me JTS vibes
November 19th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Vildor is the better option right now but I haven’t lost faith in BM he’s just a rookie with no training camp and it shows
November 19th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
The level of talent takes an obvious nose-dive when Morrison comes in for Dean.
The latter has a track record when healthy, the former is a rookie who’s mettle will be tested until he can make whomever he’s guarding a low % option for opposing QBs. Until that happens, it’s flame on like Johnny Storm.
Here’s what’s weird to me, on defense a guy like B-Mo can see the field when the guy he’s playing behind is healthy/hurt.
Meanwhile on offense guys like Culp, Kam Johnson, & Payne Durham have a combined 8 targets for 4 catches while being healthy/avalaible all season. For all the “we dont have mike/chris/Jmac” then why the blue hell aren’t the other guys getting more action.
Cade Otton is unofficially WR2 right now.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Parrish is a dog. Morrison sips milk from a saucer.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
“Morrison is doing fine for a rookie. I’m more concerned how Mccolum is giving me JTS vibes”
Jacob Parrish is doing “fine” for a rookie, Morrison is getting slow cooked like a pork shoulder
November 19th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
It’s starting to seem like giving Dean a pay cut (nearly guaranteeing he signs elsewhere next year) was a huge mistake
November 19th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
“”“Don’t sleep on Ben Morrison,” Licht said with conviction””
Jason has lost a lot of credibility for his boasts about Chris Braswell, Diaby, Dennis and others before the season.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Ready or not there’s only one way to get NFL experience, this is not a SB caliber team with the players available to play.
Giving CG that massive sentimental contract was not a good decision, cold but still not a good decision.
Let’s move Garrett Green up to the 53 …. Soon !
Bucs pick @19
November 19th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
I’m still waiting for Licht’s premonition that Braswell is going to shock the world. Licht is overrated and thinks way too highly of his draft prowess and overall performance as GM, mainly because he drinks too much of the aas kissing kool aid from the local media. Instead of keeping receipts he should be paying his dues because this team has a lousy defense with minimal talent and he sat on his soft hands at the trade deadline, telling the world that this is not a superbowl caliber team.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:39 pm
He could be equivalent to Parrish but he’s missed a lot of time early on dealing with injuries….AND he’s a rookie. Ronde Barber was avg at best his rookie year and he developed into a HOF player. Let’s be honest, Bowles scheme is exceptionally difficult for veterans to master, Winfield has had some mental errors this year and he’s in yr 4? The scheme doesn’t do anyone any favors no matter how long they’ve been in it so that’s on the coach more than anything. The idea the scheme only can be functional if there’s perfect execution has proven to be ineffective. Yaya 30 yds down the field isn’t busted coverage, it’s a terrible scheme. Winfield attempting shed 300 lb blockers for an exotic pass rush isn’t a matter of poor execution, it’s a failed scheme. Our HC being a former secondary player has a flawed perspective that the game is won on the backside of the defense instead of upfront with your big men. At some point we have to start calling it for what it is, not what it was supposed to be.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
It appears more and more that Bud Licht is the problem. Personnel and coaching are ultimately his responsibility.
November 19th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
He is a rookie who missed the beginning of the season in a bad scheme what are we even doing here.
November 19th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
The real issue is that the defensive scheme is so complicated that losing any starter turns our D into a mess. I think we’d all be happy with a 4-3 defense that lets pass rushers rush the passer, that didn’t require a masters degree to run. It’s hard to swallow when the broadcasters talk about Bowles masterful defense that will confuse QBs, only to watch the defense give up 400-500 yards. This is getting old.
November 19th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Well said 74 Bucs fan! Not only is it hard to master, but there is SO much tape on it! I didn’t watch or care about his scheme when he was with the Jets, but I assume it was the same. So we’re going on what, year 10 of the same scheme?
November 19th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
Jacob Parrish is doing “fine” for a rookie, Morrison is getting slow cooked like a pork shoulder
😂😂😂😂😂
GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Overly complicated, sure, but we are 10 weeks into the season. Not to mention rookie training camp, team training camp, and preseason. Imo, this speaks to Todd as a poor teacher/coach. Talk about accountability, at what point does Todd say, “that’s on me, I have to get theses guys bettered prepared so they are ready when we need them.”
November 19th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Morrison got toasted vs the Patriots. He did not get toasted vs the Bills, he just, allegedly, didn’t play zone correctly. Huge difference.
Anywho, I remember Davis, Dean and SMB all getting toasted on a weekly basis when Bowles first got here, looking terrible and everyone saying they were all busts, clueless, not NFL talents, blah blah blah. Then, after about 8 games or so, it clicked and they dramatically improved at the end of 2019.
Morrison, coming off a major injury, didn’t have an offseason, didn’t have a preseason or a camp really, and hasn’t played full time. He’s a rookie playing like a rookie.
As for Parrish, he’s been great for a rookie, but he’s not playing the same position – he’s in the slot, a place where rookies tend to have done better in Todd’s defense, probably because it’s a lot more one-on-one coverage.
Anywho, not concerned about Morrison yet. He really does remind me of early Dean and Davis in this defense. Maybe he is a bust, but all the idiots saying that now are the same morons who would have yelled the loudest that Ronde was a bust his rookie year when he didn’t play, and they were the same morons yelling a couple of years ago that Cody was a bust, Cappa was a bust, everyone is a bust to these idiots that have no idea what they’re watching.
November 19th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Has JL ever “slept” on one of his picks. Im pretty sure he sings each and every one of them a lullaby in his head before falling asleep ever night. Dude lives on Brokeback Mt…I can’t quit you JTS, Braswell, Trask, McCullen……
November 19th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
I don’t have a problem with the players on this team. I’m all about giving each player time to develop until they prove that they aren’t going to develop, and even then i have to question whether or not they just weren’t a great fit for the “Bowles” scheme.
I have very little confidence in Bowles being able to build a defense that lends to the players skills, as opposed to forcing square pegs into round holes. I’ve seen way too many of these guys come in and play great as first year players being allowed to use natural instincts, only to see them neutered by the scheme and be ineffective place holders.
They still talk on TV broadcasts like Bowles is some kind of defensive innovator that has a play call for every situation. He dropped our only viable edge rusher into coverage on a 3rd and 3 that resulted in a 40 yard touchdown, then followed that up later with calling on our 6’7″-270 lb defensive end to cover James Cook 1v1 on a wheel route that resulted in a long TD pass. Bowles hasn’t come up with a single concept this year that keeps this defense from letting RBs catch balls and get major YAC on every catch.
Bowles has been around this league long enough that he isnt allowing Jason Licht to tell him who they’re going to draft and sign to play in Bowles defense. He’s self scouting this roster and telling management that this is who he wants on the field. Bowles is just a dude that doesn’t keep any mirrors around so he never has to self reflect on the failures. It’s always a window where he can assign blame everywhere else.
November 19th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
“Don’t sleep on Ben Morrison,” Licht said with conviction.“
Is this the same conviction he had with Chris Broswell over the summer? We see how that has turned out so far.
November 19th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Morrison is going to be a way above average CB in this league. Ronde’s nickname was Toast in his first season
November 19th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Rod, you saying Morrison reminds you of Dean early in his career gives me some hope. Because every time I watch him in a play I think he looks like a college player. Dean needs to heal up and if not, I hope we don’t pull Parrish out to corner. But Morrison needs to sit a bit. He’ll get us beat. Quick.
November 19th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Licht just loves to think he drafted right and tries to remind everyone, quotes from his lips to our ears. 2nd round Trask, no longer in the NFL (Trask almost beat out Mayfield) Chris Braswell 2nd Round (Going to have a breakout year) 1st Round Calijah Kancey (Going to be a top defensive player in the NFL this year)
JTS (silence after he was not signed)
Wonder if this guy ever listens to himself. He needs some accountability thrown at him. Yeah he has some hits, but Joe thinks he needs to be inducted to HOF ASAP. A good GM has to make adjustments and this GM refused to and now it is going to be a wasted year,
November 19th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Morrison is burnt toast with a history of injuries. Zyon has proven to be not that good at all and Winfield is regressing. Bucs have a lot of holes to fill on defense.
November 19th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
I remember hearing something similar about Chris Braswell. This means we will have Morrissson around for another If BA was 4 years so he doesn’t have to admit he’s a bust. If BA was here this nonsense wouldn’t be going on or don’t u remember when he had enough of Hargreaves ineptitude.
November 19th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
I’m giving Morrison a bit of a pass due to his limited pre-season from the injury. If he’s still making these mistakes next season, then you can add him to the bust pile.
November 19th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Morrison is going to shock the world.
November 19th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Bowles’ choice of words slay me: “He’s coming into his own.” That usually means someone is really improving and headed in the right direction. Yes, he’s a rookie who has missed TC. And this is the way to get him involved. He’s so roasted it’s pathetic. And, you’re going to start him against the Rams. Ok, that should be a real learning experience. Give the rest of the DB’s the night off.
November 19th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Barber, Sapp, Lynch all HOF talent were slow to take off in this league…not gonna dog the kid with his limited reps and tough scheme to master…but…but…he will get torched by Staford Sunday night, and with the now flu bug taking out a school bus of players and coaches, we are ripe for the classic Out West blow out game…This one feels like it won’t be close like the other loses
November 19th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
The is not about Morrison. If you need to rely on an inexperienced player, you cater to their strengths. Build their confidence as you induct them into your mensa prerequisite defense. Nope. Not todd….square pegs must fit into his round holes. Development be d@mned, coaching them up….why, JL always picks the perfect fit. A donkey and a mule are driving this cart and they don’t change directions for anyone
November 19th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
It’s too bad that Morrison missed training camp and some games. Realistically the guy has only played a few games and he is probably thinking too much. I think simplifying the defense would not only help Morrison but the rest of the defense. What can it hurt? Afraid we are going to give up 40 points? We have already done that with Bowles genius level defense.
November 19th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
November 19th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Rod, you saying Morrison reminds you of Dean early in his career gives me some hope.
———–
Morrison was a legit 1st round prospect before he got hurt, and was considered one of the smartest well rounded guys out there, with plenty of physical ability and good size. He wasn’t a marginal player or a risky pick – basically everyone said as long as he’s healthy, he’s going to be a very good player.
But playing outside in Bowles scheme is really hard on young guys, again Davis looked terrible, Dean looked terrible, SMB looked terrible (but he played more slot if memory serves me right) early on. But all improved pretty dramatically, even in that first year. But they also played a lot more downs than Morrison has played – and despite all the crybaby stuff from people, Davis and Dean looked just as bad. That early 2019 defense was on pace to be the worst passing defense in the history of the NFL – yet over the second half of the year, they improved to the point that Brady came here, in large part because the defense started to play really well.
Morrison, with reps, I think will improve quite a bit. But again, he lost most of the offseason, he didn’t play in the preseason, and he hasn’t played a ton of snaps during the season – he needs reps, and he’s getting them. But in the meantime he’s going to get beat and make dumb plays. I’d love if he improved faster, and maybe he is a bust, but it’s dramatically too early to make that call.
November 20th, 2025 at 3:36 am
Vildor should start if Dean can’t go. We’re in a division race, not rookie mini camp. Ben didn’t lose the game, he also didn’t help win it. Right now if you give him a man assignment he’s ok. If he’s in some sort of complex zone, he’s toast. If you’re going to play him, give him man coverage. Just bad coaching on Bowles part.
November 20th, 2025 at 7:43 am
Enough with the excuses. Missed training camp, pfft. People miss work all the time and when they return they are expected to perform. Do you think a bus driver out for a month receiving medical treatment gets to return to their job and start plowing over pedestrians? No. Morrison was injured, but able to sit in every mtg, watch film, pick the brains of coaches, and he has ALL WORLD AWJ back there to help him line up. He as coaches evaluating whether or not he is ready. He likely has been playing the game for 15 yrs. Rookie mistakes may include blowing a coverage for a large gain, missing a tackle, stupid penalties, but this guy is 15 yds off the play and giving up 50 yd tds week after week. But again, I don’t blame him. Sometimes teachers/coaches have to “stand and deliver” a prepared product and not just rely on there God given talent (see every productive edge rusher vs a drafted edge under TB & JL)