Bucs “Toying With” Rotating Outside Cornerbacks
July 31st, 2025
Jamel Dean (right) and rookie corner Benjamin Morrison.
So how will the Buccaneers’ fierce competition at cornerback play out?
Todd Bowles threw a wrinkle into the consideration today after practice at One Buc Palace.
In past years, Bowles has avoided rotating outside cornerbacks or even substituting them. He likes those corners and his safeties to go the distance in games.
That might change this season. Bowles said he’s “toying with” the concept of rotating, which would have a lot of considerations week-to-week, including matchups.
Most fans and media have focused on the Jamel Dean battle with rookie Benjamin Morrison, pictured above. Dean is the long Super Bowl veteran and an elite athlete when healthy. Morrison is a smaler ballhawk with a different body type. Bowles added that rookie Jacob Parrish is firmly in that mix, though he’s been getting a load of reps at nickel cornerback.
Bowles has a special personal relationship with Dean and said today that he’s had a strong training camp.
“It’s the healthiest he’s been in a long time,” Bowles said of Dean. “We like the way he’s moving out there right now and he’s playing well. So we got to try to keep him healthy going forward.”
Huge preseason ahead for those three corners.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:18 am
It seems like Bryce Hall is healthy too and making lots of plays. I don’t remember what side Hall usually plays on – the left? I like Zyon, but he still misses lots of tackles and has given up too many TDs. I’m wondering if Hall is better than Zyon?
July 31st, 2025 at 11:19 am
other positions on the defense have rotations so i dont see the harm…
but this is a welcoming sight to see…..Bowles willing to adjust his defense…
thats very important!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 31st, 2025 at 11:21 am
What is that old adage, “Jack of all trades, master of none”?
July 31st, 2025 at 11:30 am
Please don’t ascribe business motives to Joe, espcially when they’re inaccurate. Joe hopes that doesn’t happen to you in your world. Bowles saying something in a general fashion a month ago and saying it publicly after 7 days of training camp, and after he’s had many discussions with players and coaches over the past week, are far different animals.–Joe
Parrish is a great fit at nicklel but it doesnt mean hes not an excellent outside corner as well. Bowles made it sound like the arrangement of our secondary may be very opponent dependent, very interesting. Love how Bowles is never set in his ways and will evolve himself.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:55 am
Anything to keep the opposing office off balance sounds good to me.
July 31st, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Bowles realizes he needs to rotate the CB’s if he has any chance of keeping Dean healthy for the playoff stretch, and it would also give the rookies time to gain experience, in case they are needed if Dean does go down again with an injury.
July 31st, 2025 at 12:15 pm
It only makes sense to match up body types somewhat. There are some smaller shiftier outside WRs that would be a nightmare to cover as a big body outside CB.
July 31st, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Seems like a no-brainer!
July 31st, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Real hot take, we can play McCollum at Nickel in some cases and push Parrish to dime back w/Dean & Morrison on the outside. That’s alot of speed and a variety of size at CB right there.
Also loved hearing how much Parrish likes blitzing. Like dude, you run a 4.3 and are hiccup quick, you just might have to be that 5th man in a pressure package. Get home, and make the play when we need ya.
July 31st, 2025 at 12:52 pm
is Dean pregnant?
July 31st, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Mike Says:
July 31st, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Bowles realizes he needs to rotate the CB’s if he has any chance of keeping Dean healthy for the playoff stretch, and it would also give the rookies time to gain experience, in case they are needed if Dean does go down again with an injury.
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BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 31st, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Let’s hope there’s no more major injuries during training camp and preseason.
July 31st, 2025 at 2:58 pm
And Vildor has been looking good too apparently 👍🏼
July 31st, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Christian Izien, Bryce Hall, Kindle Vildor and Josh Hayes all have interceptions so far this training camp.
Seems like the emphasis coach Bowles has placed on takeaways is working so far!
July 31st, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Just rotate them closer to the line of scrimmage. Let them jam and mess up timing. Soft zone is gone!!!!
July 31st, 2025 at 6:29 pm
I’ve been saying.
The Tampa 7!
Rush 4. Drop 7 DBs!
Zero linebackers!
July 31st, 2025 at 7:53 pm
We’re loaded, if the Bucs stay healthy good things coming for 50th Anniversary season.
August 1st, 2025 at 1:43 am
Ya ok. It’s amazing and fortunate the Bucs have a super hero double coach who can warp time so that he has 480 hours a week to devote to two jobs (nevermind the math) . His best skill is masturminding in his office. He knows what he’s doing. Sadly no one else does.
August 1st, 2025 at 5:50 am
Huge preseason ahead for those three corners.
Yup! Hope they all shine!
Go Bucs!
August 2nd, 2025 at 12:23 am
I’m a Notre Dame fan. I’ve watched Benjamin Morrison dominate everyone he’s covered since he was a freshman. He’ll do the same in the NFL.