Benjamin Morrison Explains His Hard Rookie Lessons
August 21st, 2026
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison reflects on what he has learned.
Joe always appreciates when an NFL player bares his soul, comes clean and is upfront and honest.
And Joe believes that’s what second-year corner Benjamin Morrison did yesterday when he spoke to the local pen and mic club.
There is no pretty way to describe it. Morrison had a poor rookie season. It was to the point more than a few Bucs fans wrote him off.
Irresponsible if not rash? Sure, but understandable.
To hear Morrison talk about his rookie season after training camp practice, it sounds like he entered the NFL last year a little cocky or a little bit arrogant — and quickly had a reality check.
But Morrison used a different word than cocky or arrogant.
“I was young, I was naïve,” Morrison said of last season. “Coming out of college [the NFL is] more physical.
“[In college], it’s mainly, I line up across from a dude and I’m physically better than you, you know what I’m saying? Now, it’s like everyone in the league is good.
“So, it’s like, how can I, even though I’m not on the field, but how can I still gain these reps off the field? That’s why I feel the biggest jump for me was this year coming to camp.
“Like I said, still getting to where I want to be, but I feel like I’ve been able to keep up just off of the mental side of the game. Now, my mind is there and I’m getting the body back.”
Well, it’s good that Morrison learned receivers are just as athletic and strong as he is, if not more so. You would have thought his dad, a former NFL player himself, would have told him that. But maybe Morrison, as many college-age men do, thought he already had it figured out when, in reality, he hadn’t figured out anything.
Morrison’s mental approach is solid. Now,he has to work on that brittle body of his to stay out of the tub and on the field — and help a thinner-than-thin Bucs cornerback room.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:14 am
Like a lot of things in life (not just football), you may think you know. But until you live it, you just don’t know.
Now, cue all the keyboard commandos to call him soft, say he sucks, JL is a stupid at drafting, and we should cut bait now. Did I miss anything?
August 21st, 2026 at 7:17 am
I really don’t care what this kid says until he can stay healthy enough to help us win games…
This china doll hasn’t been full go since his Soph season at ND.
What a joke.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:18 am
SOFT – SOFT – SOFT – SOFT!!!!!!
Hi Mr. Drunk.
Good morning buddy…
August 21st, 2026 at 7:29 am
“Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to got through life, son.”
— Dean Wormer
August 21st, 2026 at 7:34 am
“Now, cue all the keyboard commandos to call him soft, say he sucks, JL is a stupid at drafting, and we should cut bait now. Did I miss anything?”
The empty headed nepotism comments because Morrisons’ dad played a single year with Todd Bowles during the1st Clinton admin, that that make Bowles his Godfather and the insinuation say that’s the only reason we drafted Morrison.
I’m not the biggest fan of the kids’ injury history, but he has skill it’s just that we’ve only gotten a small sample of what he can do as a rookie. Now it’s yr 2 and he’s been out, though I will say if the precaution means we get him later for preserving him now, I’m fine with that.
Can’t forget, you’ll get the “we need to sign a veteran” comments when you can easily go look at available CBs and see that there’s nobody out there worth bringing in. Rumors of Joey Porter jr “holding in” while the Steelers are open to dealing him, but apart of the rumor is the Steelers may want a 1st as compensation while Porter wants a new deal. Kind of makes sense why they courted and signed Dean for a discount.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:35 am
“SOFT, always injured and in the hot tub is no way to go through a football season…”
– Dean Marine
August 21st, 2026 at 7:44 am
We’ll, let’s see what ya got young man.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:57 am
I’m actually okay with Morrison. True – he has been hurt alot. Nobody wants to be hurt. He got burned a couple of times but in the NFL, who doesn’t, especially over confident rookies. I did see a few flashes of good closing speed and better than average tackling. Here’s to hoping the young man can stay healthy and add to the paper thin cornerback room.
August 21st, 2026 at 8:02 am
Bye bye !
I’m so tired of this nothing Buccaneer !
It’s like a bad reoccurring dream
August 21st, 2026 at 8:19 am
@ Lt. Dan
Even when healthy last season Ben-Mo had a PFF score of 47.
Ranking him #110 out of #114 eligible CBs.
That is DEPLORABLE and I would rather him stay injured rather than steal any more playing time from legit DBs.
Prove me wrong Ben-Mo!
I BEG you!
August 21st, 2026 at 8:21 am
Joe … ‘Joe always appreciates when an NFL player bares his soul, comes clean and is upfront and honest.’
And just about every time a player does ‘come clean’ Joe, he gets skewered in the media for admitting what was actually going through his head.
Example? Morrison’s response in learning that NFL receivers are just as athletic & strong as he is …
“You would have thought his dad, a former NFL player himself, would have told him that.”
Or …
“But maybe Morrison, as many college-age men do, thought he already had it figured out when, in reality, he hadn’t figured out anything.”
Yup, let’s go with ‘Honesty is always the best policy’. Well, unless you’re an NFL player talking to the media who’s gone through some tough times. It’s only his 2nd year & he was injured much of his 1st year. Folks need to cut him a little slack & let’s see what we’ve really got in Ben Morrison.