Greg Cosell Believes Benjamin Morrison Likely Becomes A Starter Before His Rookie Season Ends
July 3rd, 2025
Greg Cosell of NFL Films.
There are few people who break down the game Joe respects more than Greg Cosell of NFL Films.
Cosell said when NFL Films first hired him, he hounded Bill Walsh so much that he broke down the football wizard and Walsh agreed to give Cosell private lessons on how to dissect film.
Name a better teacher to learn the game from!
In a recent edition of the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” maybe the best series of football-specific podcasts out there, Cosell was talking about Bucs rookie corner Benjamin Morrison.
While many Bucs fans want Jamel Dean run out of town, Cosell has a hunch if Morrison was going to unseat any corner, it may instead be Zyon McCollum.
It sounded like Cosell gave Dean job security since he’s a veteran starter who also started for a Super Bowl winner.
Then, Cosell had the following to say about Morrison.
“You know, I think the main issue for [the Bucs’ defense] is going to be how they feel about the corner opposite Jamel Dean,” Cosell said. “You know, Zyon McCollum played predominantly [as a starting corner] a year ago. Do they feel good about that?
“They did draft Benjamin Morrison out of Notre Dame with their second pick. When you draft a corner with a second pick, I would assume you believe he’s going to be a starter, ideally, sooner than later.”
This is where Joe thinks it is not McCollum who needs to sweat, it’s Dean.
Unlike many, Joe is not down on Dean’s play (apparently, neither is Cosell). Where Joe is fed up with Dean is his inability to stay on the field. It’s hard to win when your best corner misses so much time.
Joe is pretty convinced that when Dean goes down — it’s not if, but when — that is when Morrison takes over. Morrison then will sink or swim based on his play.
Cosell is high on Jacob Parrish and predicted Parrish will be the Bucs’ new starting slot corner.
“I love this kid’s tape,” Cosell said. “I think he’s going to be a good one.”
Heck, Joe wouldn’t be shocked — though Joe doesn’t expect it — if Parrish took over for Dean when Dean gets hurt. Joe would still lay cash on Morrison taking over.
July 3rd, 2025 at 7:06 am
It’s simple really. Parrish is the slot, and Morrison replaces the first outside corner that is injured/isn’t playing well. Or maybe he just wins the job outright. We’ll see in training camp.
July 3rd, 2025 at 7:19 am
If these 2 corners are as good as advertised, and Reddick recaptures his Philly form, Bucs Defense should top 10 if not top 5.
July 3rd, 2025 at 7:29 am
Morrison starts six games this year due to Dean’s annual ‘boo-boo’s”. What’s the old saying? “There are three things in life that are guaranteed: Death, taxes and Jamel Dean missing games due to injury.”
July 3rd, 2025 at 7:36 am
Dean will get hurt, likely stubbing his toe on the sideline paint.
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:16 am
Morrison will beat out Dean who will be traded.
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:22 am
Jose, I agree that someone will Wally Pipp Dean. It’s only a matter of time. I hope Morrison can become the next 10 year guy on our defense.
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:39 am
would still love for licht to go all in and get Trey Hendrickson…
great locker room player and he’ll provide production, depth and leadership to the defense!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:49 am
Let’s be honest, it will be nice just to have options no matter who is on the field. Best guys play
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:54 am
Great all we need are two rookies playing in the most difficult defensive scheme. What could go wrong
July 3rd, 2025 at 8:58 am
I wrote this the other day. From a talent perspective Dean’s the better CB. McCollum has been a CB2, CB3 tweener, we just haven’t had anyone else. He’d still be CB3 if Davis was on the roster.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:13 am
Got to see him in contact and making plays before I anoint him. Love Morrisons’ tape as well, but I’m also aware he’s had hip surgery since.
I’m more eager to see if or how much rust he’ll need to knock off once the team is back for training camp and how long it takes to get back into football shape.
Would like to add that Bryce Hall is in the picture still and we barely know how well he can play in this system or how he fits in the pecking order with the talent we’ve brought in.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:18 am
The good news is that Cosell looks at the film and likes both those DB picks.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:18 am
Dean plays best when he has competition. Hopefully Morrison will be able to get on the field and get some experience, then take over as a starter late in the year or next season.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:19 am
On Emeka Egbuka, Cosell said before the draft. Think of the LA Rams or Lions with Puka or St Brown. You put him in the same role, he probably can do that.
He can be a volume receiver lining up all over the formation. This kid knows how to play receiver. He understands route running, he understands pace and tempo, hes got great balance and control, he knows how to separate.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:20 am
Are any of you guys REALLY bucs fans. Most of you sound like Negative Nancy’s from out of state. We saw how brittle Jamel Dean was over the years, but guy’s we are bucs fans, have some faith, be grateful are team is doing well lately after all this time of being algae eaters. It’s alright to criticize, but wait for the season to start. Have hope and pray he doesn’t get injured and balls out, and that makes this team much more better. I’m a BUCS FAN, and whoever they have I’m going to root for everybody on the team and hope they stay healthy and help the team win games. We knew AB was a diva but if it wasn’t for hm would we have won that Super Bowl, maybe, maybe not, but I was glad he was on the team helping us win games. O’ye of little faith, trust and believe.
July 3rd, 2025 at 9:53 am
This is what happens in the offseason = Lots of talk amd speculation. Nothing really matters until they put the pads on.
July 3rd, 2025 at 11:17 am
Prime Deion Sanders would have trouble playing 15 yards deep in the bleachers on 3rd and 4.
Coaching matters.
July 3rd, 2025 at 12:04 pm
I was listening to a national show breakdown the Bucs yesterday and they had the same mistaken take. Zion isn’t going anywhere. Dean is the CB they’re looking to upgrade. I’m not sure why the national guys are getting this wrong. If Dean stays healthy and can catch a few interceptions then things can change. That’s really the best case scenario having 3 or 4 (Parish) legit starting outside corners would be a great problem to have.
*Why is BeMo not signed yet? Should we be concerned?
July 3rd, 2025 at 12:15 pm
It seems all the 2nd round picks are wanting their contract money guaranteed. The top two picks were successful so now the bottom 30 are holding out. Benjamin Morrison (BeMo) included.
July 3rd, 2025 at 4:05 pm
McCollum has improved each year. He isn’t the problem. I like Dean, but I also noticed he got beat in coverage more often last year. More D line pressure should help the whole secondary this year.