Rookie Wall Hammering Bucs And Panthers
December 18th, 2025
Rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish is not alone.
Joe expects more from the Buccaneers rookies.
First, after 14 games, they’re no longer rookies. Second, the Bucs will play Sunday on 10 days rest, which should pump new physical life into the young guns like Jacob Parrish, Emeka Egbuka, Elijah Roberts and others.
Cases of “rookie wall” syndrome certainly made their way through One Buc Palace.
It’s typical. Rookies are accustomed to a short college season and then follow that up by burning themselves out training for the NFL Scouting Combine and pre-draft workouts, and being locked in during professional spring practices.
The great news for the Bucs is that the rookie wall is a thing for the Panthers, too, the Bucs’ opponent on Sunday.
Carolina has very limited offensive weapons and their No. 1 guy is rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The No. 8 overall pick in the draft nas nosedived in the past three games, totaling only five catches in those games. That contrasts McMillan average five catches per game in his previous 11 games.
McMillan bottomed out Sunday against the slimy Saints with just 2 catches for 25 yards, his worst game of the season.
Cynical Bucs fans are certain McMillan is about to snap out of his funk against a Todd Bowles defense, but Joe isn’t sure. The rookie wall is real.
Sunday could determine the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, as McMillan has 59 catches for 851 yards and 6 touchdowns. Egubka, the No. 19 overall pick, has nearly identical numbers: 58 catches for 870 yards and 6 TDs.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Let’s hope Egubka goes off on Sunday. Five catches, 2 tuddies.
December 18th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Not sure either one of them deserve it unless they finish strong.
My vote is TreVeyon Henderson.
Dude also plays for a Team with a record that makes me wanna cry in a Head Coach’s first year.
Look at the 2 Teams with 1st year HCs who have awesome records!!!!!
Jags and Bears.
Look at Seattle after year 2.
And we have a 4 year run of winning the worst division in football, JUST BARELY.
NE is going to have a better season than Tampa has EVER HAD in 50 years.
Let that sink in!!!!
December 18th, 2025 at 8:00 am
What wall is this entire defense hitting it’s not a rookie wall would you call it a Todd wall whatever it is this is a bad defense.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:04 am
He’s… just a kid.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Get over it!
BS excuses for losers!
Weakness!
December 18th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Time for # 56
Part 2 !
December 18th, 2025 at 8:20 am
“NE is going to have a better season than Tampa has EVER HAD in 50 years.”
They’ll have to go undefeated rest of the way but it’s possible.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:23 am
Emeka Egbuka played 16 games last year at OSU, including 4 playoff games.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:34 am
After last week’s game I hit the fan wall.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Morrison should hit the wall because he hasn’t played.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:50 am
“”After last week’s game I hit the fan wall.””
Ain’t that the truth!
December 18th, 2025 at 8:51 am
@Hodad
I felt that. Been bleak the last couple weeks.
But the all-knowing and widely respected 4-letter conglomerate ran a computer sim and have the Bucs going all the way to the NFC Championship game.
Now I have to question myself, am I back in with Bowles? Do we just have to trust him some more? If we make it that far, is he secured for another couple years, and does that actually set us back?
A lot of questions for me as a fan and I think I’m back on the belief train. It’s been so negative for a while both on the field for the team and players and outside noise from us but if we finish 3-0, end 10-7, only really 1.5 games back from what I and many many other thought was going to be the case., what are the vibes?
This optimism could very well end on Sunday though, we’ll see.
I want Todd and Grizz to show me something. Light a fire under this talented roster. Mike and Lavonte deserve it.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Rookie CB Jacob Parrish intrigues me. I really thought that he was gonna be biggest find of this last draft once I saw him play in the first few games. He’s not vey big, but he’s got excellent speed (4.35 sec), hits hard, and seemed to have great awareness.
Over his first 7 games Parrish allowed 24 completions in being targeted 35 times … 68.6% completions allowed. Bucs went 5-2 in those 7 games, and Jacob played a key role at Nickel I thought. Defense allowed 25.0 PPG average in those 7 games.
But then over these last 7 games Parrish allowed 20 completions in being targeted 25 times … 80.0% completions allowed. Bucs went 2-5 in those 7 games, and Jacob played Nickel as well as some outside CB. Defense allowed 25.6 PPG average in these last 7 games, not that much more than they did in the first 7 games.
Just as an aside, in those first 7 games our offense scored 174 points … 24.9 PPG average. In our last 7 games, our offense has scored 153 points … 21.9 PPG average. When your offense is scoring 21.9 PPG but your defense is surrendering 25.6 PPG, you kinda deserve a 2-5 record in that stretch.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:57 am
TBBF … ‘Morrison should hit the wall because he hasn’t played.’
Actually I think the wall fell on Morrison back in Training Camp and he’s still trying to get out from under it.
December 18th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Hodad … ‘After last week’s game I hit the fan wall.’
The wall wasn’t the only thing to hit the fans in the last few weeks Hodad.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Morrison is a big disappointment at least so far. that pick should have been used for another spot. there’s plenty of other needs.
December 18th, 2025 at 9:15 am
So that’s what it had come to. No longer that the Bucs are soaring but let’s hope the key rookie players on the opposing side has hit the rookie wall so they can win.
That is a sad reality. And I’m with ya, Joe. Whatever means are necessary. It’s like a golf shot for me. I don’t care if it’s pretty as long as it stope where I want it to. A win by any means at this point is still a win.
These guys were hot at 6-1. So it’s clear they can do it. They beat Seattle and SF. Then they got cold. They lost to polar opposites at home, NO and Atlanta. So it’s clear they can fall apart.
The question is can they get it back? Injuries explain the Offense’s deterioration. What is the explanation for the Defense? Injuries?
December 18th, 2025 at 10:30 am
If New England wins the Super Bowl, they may have had a better year than any Bucs team. The Jags and Bears have not been playing first-place schedules. People here have the blind assumption that the NFC South is —and by far– the weakest division. Try the AFC South, where a grandfather is quarterbacking a contender. Or the AFC North, where the Steelers are sucking air on their reputation, the Bengals are erratic, and the Ravens succeed by beating them and sweeping the hapless Browns. Have the Chiefs fallen because their opponents have become super teams?
December 18th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Yeah DR, I agree concerning Parrish. I didn’t check any stats. I let’s my eyes do the walking and commented many times in last week’s game, just how bad Parrish was.
I thought perhaps I missed something. So many were tooting his horn. I just didn’t see what they saw. I saw a guy BLOWING IT again and again but I kept it to myself.
And as usual, DR pulls out some stats for someone that caught his eye as well. And after reading what he found, it’s even Worse than I imagined.
The reason Parrish “looks good” to most (I believe) is because he IS showing signs of a little something that it turns out MOST ARE NOT showing signs of around this team of broken hearters. And that little thing is called “EFFORT”!
Parrish IS giving it All he’s got! Too bad he’s not very good at his job but boy at least HE WANTS THE JOB!
So what do we do? The rest of them (that can be elite) aren’t doing their jobs and the guy who wants the job so bad he can taste it and plays hard, can’t quite do the job. Who do you keep?
The ULTIMATE answer is “well he can be trained to do the job properly”. And the ULTIMATE TRUTH is there doesn’t seem to be a coach around talented enough to help to train the little spit fire realize his potential. But boy he’s trying. Tons of heart. Not so much talent. Not yet at least..
You know, I was thinking… It “could be” he NEEDS a “DEDICATED” defensive coach that can train him, THAT DOESN’T WADDLE! Just a silly little idea from the cheap seats..
December 18th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Billy Buco, The NE pats are NOTHING without Tom Brady, The QB just shriveled up in the biggest game of the year, good luck NOTHING without Brady Pat’s!
December 18th, 2025 at 11:18 am
@DR @Obvious
This interested me a lot as well, so I had a look through PFF. His worst performances were against Detroit and Seattle (mostly covering Amon-Ra and Cooper Kupp/JSN respectively) so I’m not too surprised about that, although they were MUCH lower graded performances than the rest.
Two of his best games came right next to those games, against the Eagles and against the 49ers. He split between slot and wide against the niners and matched up against wide receivers that are of a lower tier, and played well. He played mostly slot vs AJ Brown and played well, albeit with a subpar Eagles offense.
Here’s what I find most interesting about this deep dive though, and I don’t really know what to think of it. His 2 best performances, we were missing either Zyon or Dean. Why when one of the outside corners are out, does he seemingly play better, is this an anomaly? What would cause this?
Oddly enough too, one of his best (still below average for him) games after the bye was also when Dean was out.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:22 am
@Myself
I’m definitely overthinking the problem. His next best 2 performances were playing alongside both starters. Maybe he just plays good against bad offenses (shocker).
One thing I know for certain though, he is elite at shutting down a screen.
I guess I fell into the same trap as you Obvious One. I really really want him to be good, and thought he did look good. Now I’m second guessing.
Now I’m not saying we give up and rebuild the whole room, but it is interesting to see that my eyes (according to PFF) are deceiving me.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:32 am
I am fully anticipating we see Morrison flailing his arms and stumbling like a 4 year old trying to do a cartwheel for the first time while McMillan goes for 157 and 2 TD’s.
December 18th, 2025 at 11:58 am
@Baker Bowl
You know what they say.
There’s no such thing as coincidences. (And being cute) Especially held to be true if it is “repetitive”
December 18th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
I’ll be listening on iHeart
December 18th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Obvious One … ‘I let’s my eyes do the walking and commented many times in last week’s game, just how bad Parrish was.’
From what I’ve seen, Parrish has been inconsistent (he’s not the only Bucs’ defender in that category for sure). No way for us to know for sure, but my gut feel is that our coaching staff has been making some significant changes in the scheme and our defensive players haven’t been able to adjust. Part of it is that IMO our defense doesn’t have awesome talent, and so it’s hard for most of them to adjust to significant changes in the scheme. Hard to ‘gel’ and develop ‘chemistry’ when things are always changing, whether it be the players or the scheme that’s being changed.
December 18th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
The Bozo Wall. It makes it hard to get excited about this team. Like watching the same movie over and over.
December 18th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
@DR
What you’re saying makes perfect sense. It seems that there were a couple of “hail mary’s” in the draft and certainly Morrison was one of those. I don’t mean to undermine his achievements in college but his physicality concerning physically breaking is a bit to close for comfort. Adding in his actual size (likely the reason he’s had as much damage to his body that he’s had), had me thinking we gambled on him. I’d rather we didn’t do that with such a high draft pick. However….. his collegiate accomplishments were said to be worthy of a “first round” pick…. I still have hopes for him.
Concerning the quality “in general” of our defensive picks of late,…. I believe you’ve got it sorted out. Likely due to “past success” and because of that success, Not So Great draft positions.
Now, with That said, I’m going to expand a bit. . There is something we’re NOT doing verses other successful teams in our same situation as far as a lousy “draft position” and the ability to draft Quality, High End players.. It “feels like” it’s something Jason Licht has figured out yet since he quite honestly hasn’t achieved the level of success he has until fairly recently. And That special “thing” he needs to graps and take far more seriously IS he needs to learn to MAKE MOVES …. Meaning in “draft position” in order to aquire better draft alignment to get Quality players. He simply WON’T BUDGE and make a meaningful trade into draft position to even be a contender to aquire the Talent we Desperately NEED. Nor will he trade a pick to aquire “Established” talent.
This “surely” seems to me to be falling at Licht’s feet on the quality.
I have no doubt that Bowles is picking players he likes, BUT he’s not had the opportunity to aquire the talent HE REALLY LIKES! They just aren’t there when it’s our turn.
What happened to All the other contenders and why So Many are now, Not contending? It’s the same situation. They aren’t able to trade picks they don’t have or are now in the same boat as Licht and are either arrogant enough to think they are a drafting genius and can find what they need at the proverbial “thirft store” (which isn’t working out as planned) OR they are Terrified that they’ll screw up because they’ve Already and Barely slip their necks from the hangman’s noose and almost gotten fired or watched a friend get fired for taking Big Chances and getting Burned with a bad trade.
So I get it (if it’s fear) with Licht, HOWEVER… He HAS TO make a move to aquire superior talent! The lack of Quality IS rearing it’s head and the results are Not Good..
Licht HAS TO play that game of chess. All Gm’s (if they last longer than a couple of years) HAVE TO “Push THAT Envelope” and MAKE THE WISEST MOVES HE’S EVER MADE. He’s AT that point Right Now. He Has To roll those “rare aired” dice on a move for quality that will Truly elevate his team! The walls are coming down, he has to make a move.. Playing it safe doesn’t look like an option for him any longer. He’s rode his Super Bowl cred to the “end of the road”. It’s Time he shows what he’s (Licht) got…
December 18th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Obvious One … I agree that Morrison was a ‘Hail Mary’ but I’m not sure anyone could’ve predicted what’s been going on with him since becoming a Buc. He obviously has talent, but he sure doesn’t seem to have ‘endurance’. He’s only made it into 7 games for a total of 199 def snaps.
And yet, he’s been fairly impressive when he’s out there. Been targeted 23 times but only allowed 14 completions (60.9%) which for a rookie is very good IMO. Unfortunately included in there is allowing 2 TDs, as well as sporting a Missed Tackle Rate of 13.3%. So ya, good & bad.
As far as JL goes, I really like some of his moves, but I’m really turned off by some others. In particular he seems to be really hesitant to bring in quality free agents (especially ones who cost more than $1.25), and that’s hurt us, big time. Bringing in top-quality players like Suh, JPP, Shaq and several others allowed us to quickly build a defense that won us a Super Bowl. Since Todd Bowles has taken oveer in 2022 though, none of that has transpired. That’s on Licht.
December 18th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
@DR @Obvious
I hear you guys and I don’t necessarily disagree, but I also have some thoughts.
I agree that JL needs to be more risky. Just like in finance, the higher the risk, the higher opportunity for reward. The problem is the amount of holes we have to take those risks. Had we spent big on a splash player in free agency, and then continued to have the abundance of injuries that we had, who’s to say we wouldn’t still be getting upset that the FO didn’t spend that money evenly with multiple low-money deals to cover the depth.
With that being said, I think what he’s trying to do (with varying levels of success) is try to recreate the core of studs that we already had. He’s trying to get high character guys that, if they reach the potential our scouts see, can fill the leadership roles that will be left behind by Lavonte, Mike, etc.
I don’t think this is necessarily wrong, but I do think he needs to blend the 2 tactics together. If a guy is sitting there in a draftable position and he doesn’t meet the character conditions, but blows the scouts away, he needs to say screw my plan, let’s get this guy in the building. If it works it works, and if it doesn’t then he gets to puff out his chest and say he was right. Either way, we’re not sitting here asking ‘What if?’
@DR – you mentioned Morrison’s missed tackle rate and I found it interesting so I went back to the trusty stat book and found some other interesting bits of info. There are only 3 players that play meaningful snaps that have a higher missed tackle rate. One was Jacob Parrish. Although Morrison has a fraction of the snaps as Parrish, he has a much much better completion percentage against him (59% vs 84% – pretty stark). But as you mentioned, 2 touchdowns vs Parrish 3 and allows 7 more yards per completion (17.7 Morrison vs 10.6 Parrish)
I have been harping about how the defensive front can get back there, but not complete sacks – guess who the other 2 below him are, Yaya Diaby and Haason Reddick.
I didn’t think it was that bad up front but it almost makes me believe that the rookie corners are suffering because of this. As Dean and McCollum typically play on the higher end receivers, the missed sacks, I think, are leading to more time for QBs to make the throw to their 3rd or 4th read.
It also gets worse, the two players above that group are Vita Vea and Logan Hall. Now I think these guys are here because of missed arm tackles while the RB is bursting through the hole but still, not a good look.
Regardless of the strategy he takes to get them, JL MUST address that pass rush situation. It’s horrendous.
December 18th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
1st 4 draft picks I’d go DT-LB-DT-LB. Or start with LB depending on value. We have to win more at the LOS and just behind it and close the middle with high speed great tackling LBers.