“I Feel Like The Ball Is Mine”
April 25th, 2025
New Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison.
When cornerback Benjamin Morrison is on the field, he is the definition of a ballhawk.
But that is the catch. Morrison, dating back to high school in 2021, has had two hip surgeries (one on each hip) and shoulder surgery.
His latest hip surgery came this past season, his junior season at Notre Dame. Morrison played in six games before going down.
As a freshman, Morrison led the nation with six picks. He made such a name for himself that in his sophomore season, quarterbacks were gun-shy throwing to Morrison’s side of the field. He had three picks his sophomore season.
Despite the three surgeries in the past four football seasons, Morrison, in a Zoom call with the local pen and mic club this evening, declared the only obstacle keeping him off the Bucs practice fields this offseason would be the Bucs’ medical staff.
Morrison had a “showcase” for NFL teams recently to demonstrate he’s back from surgery. He said the Bucs did not attend that showcase. [Correction: VP of Bucs Personnel Mike Biehl said that in fact the Bucs had a national scout at Morrison’s showcase.]
As for his ability to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, Morrison said:
“I feel like the ball is mine as much as the receivers,'” Morrison said of his picks. “That’s the way I always saw it. This past year was tough. I wasn’t targeted as much so I couldn’t showcase” his ballhawk skills.
“I think it is in my DNA. I think it is what I do.”
The key with Morrison will be his health. It’s the only reason Morrison was on the board at No. 53. Had Morrison been healthy last year, he very likely would have gone in the first round, perhaps early.
The surgeries are frightening on paper. Throw in a quad injury and that’s not just injury-prone, that’s brittle.
If all four of these injuries happen to be just flukes, drafting Morrison very well may be highway robbery by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. He may be worth the roll of the dice.
Benjamin Morrison has been a baller.
Ballhawk at Notre Dame. Will be a ballhawk in Tampa Bay. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/W9LHPMuVps
— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) April 26, 2025
April 25th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Shavon Revel still on the board. Could we double down on CB? I hope not…
April 25th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
I won’t be shocked if we draft another cb in the 3rd
April 25th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
definitely a ball hawk bowles knew who he was getting months ago
April 25th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Bassa, Bowman, Watts, Kennard…
April 25th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
The most impressive thing I saw about him was his career 44.1 NFL QB rating allowed – that’s insane. The 2002 Bucs defense allowed like a 48 NFL QB rating, and that’s literally the best passing defense in NFL history. Obviously Morrison was doing that in college, but that number means he is as shutdown of a corner as you can get.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
Thanks. appreciate the explanation. Joe normally ignores quarterback ratings.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Get safety Xavier Watts, Kevin Winston Jr, or MLB Chris Paul Jr, Jeffery Bassa or Barrett Carter
April 25th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
“Despite the three surgeries in the past four football seasons.”
—–
And they were able to look beyond that, huh?
April 25th, 2025 at 10:25 pm
whoa…dean in deep doo…back to back corners…whaaaow
April 25th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
i’m shocked we didn’t go edge or ilb in the first 3 rounds…
yowzers!
April 25th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
i had a feeling… i love it
April 25th, 2025 at 10:27 pm
they must really think yaya is gonna make a jump, and reddick will be good
April 25th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Boyd, and braswell. They have been talking them up. Hopefully if for a good reason.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
they’re proving that they believe it, i think… I almost wouldn’t be shocked to see a dt next
April 25th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
Another CB. Jacob Parish out of K-State. DB was the most important position.
Licht has learned his lesson.
April 25th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Bucs truly believe in the Guys Yaya Reddick Braswell Nelly Rameriz Watts an still got 3 More picks to go 4th 5th an 7th round could still end up with a guy Love this Draft so Far WR an CB The 2 positions that hurt us the most last year when Evans an Chris went down Bucs went 0-4 an we got demolished at CB now we got Dean Zyon Hall Vildor Morrison Parrish LFG this team is Coming together
April 26th, 2025 at 12:10 am
Todd understands. This guy will be dropped so deep he will be the Bucs quality control check on the refs to see if the extra point is good or not.
April 26th, 2025 at 2:54 am
I wonder if that thought once crossed Dean’s mind lol
April 26th, 2025 at 7:12 am
“The ball is mine”
I played no organized football beyond high school. I’m far from an expert. However when I did play I was either an RB or DB. As DB I always thought I was expected to prevent the receiver from catching the ball, break up the pass.
That was a poor immature attitude, that perhaps should have been coached out of me. That’s the minimum. This guy gets it. Why play DEFENSE. You’re just as entitled to the ball when it’s up in the air as the receiver. Why not make the receiver play defense against YOU!
I like this guy already!
April 26th, 2025 at 7:44 am
I watched his phone call….man, there is zero doubt about his commitment to playing hard for us. This was a great pick. GJ Jason and company. If it werent for the injury (he will heal, he’s young), he would’ve went a lot higher.
Welcome aboard Ben! (Same first name as my Grandfather, Brother and Nephew)