Filling The Hole At Cornerback
March 20th, 2026
Ready to start?
Joe has bad Bucs news and good Bucs news.
First the bad: The Bucs have a hole at cornerback they didn’t need to dig.
Now the good news: Folicly-challenged Billy Barnwell at BSPN believes the Bucs are one of 20 teams that can compete for a Super Bowl for the 2026 season, provided the Bucs fill this hole.
Don’t ya’ just feel all warm and fuzzy now?
What’s missing: Cornerback. Some cornerstone pieces won’t be back with the Bucs in 2026. Legendary wideout Mike Evans left for the 49ers in one of the highest-profile departures of the offseason. Linebacker Lavonte David saw his contract expire, and he remains available. And cornerback Jamel Dean signed a three-year, $36.8 million contract with the Steelers.
Dean’s absence might actually have the largest impact of those three, given that the Buccaneers are relatively stocked at wide receiver and ably replaced David with some much-needed coverage range from Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone. Dean allowed a 63.1 passer rating in coverage while missing just 2.1% of his tackles. He probably deserved to be in the Pro Bowl.
The Bucs have Zyon McCollum locked in at one starting cornerback role, and Jacob Parrish was solid in his rookie year operating out of the slot. Dean’s departure, though, will elevate 2025 second-round pick Benjamin Morrison to the starting lineup. And while plenty of cornerbacks have rough rookie seasons before maturing in subsequent years, Morrison had a very rough debut campaign. He allowed a 112.2 passer rating in coverage on 359 snaps, including a 72-yard touchdown to Patriots wideout Kyle Williams. Morrison also had two pass interference penalties and a holding call declined. The Panthers repeatedly went after the rookie in their home-and-home with Tampa Bay down the stretch, and I’d expect more of that if Morrison’s in the starting lineup.
Based on just the 2025 season alone, Benjamin Morrison is not an starter, that’s all there is to it. Not yet, anyway. He did come into OTAs last year as a rookie recovering from surgery so Joe is going to give the Notre Dame grad rope here.
Would Joe be shocked that Morrison, now healthy, dedicated himself to an offseason program and looks like a new player this summer when training camp starts? No.
And if that is the case, great. But just based on his play he is in no way ready to be an NFL starter. Frankly, based on his play last year, Joe wonders if Zyon McCollum is a starter.
But here we are with a hole on the roster where the Bucs’ best corner was. It didn’t have to be like this.
If Todd Bowles moves Jacob Parrish to full-time outside corner, that’s a smart move. Parrish was damn impressive last year and Joe would argue he was the Bucs’ most consistent rookie. Parrish sure never vanished in the second half of the season.
If Bowles wants to keep Parrish at nickel corner, then there’s a problem. You are then looking at McCollum and Morrison as your starting corners, possibly with no edge rush. That will be fun!
So unless Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafts or trades for a starting corner, this could be a very, very long season for the Bucs’ pass defense.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Morrison missed EVERYTHING prior to the season, no way he was gonna be effective
March 20th, 2026 at 9:10 am
One name… Rhonde Barber. Let give the guy some time to get settled.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:15 am
The front 7 has a direct impact on the back 4. How long did it take for the “grave diggers” to go to “sheet shovelers” when the front 7 were traded, signed elsewhere, got hurt, etc. Middle of the D is key from front to back, same as a baseball team. If you get to the QB and put him down and disrupt the timing that is huge for pass coverage. When we chipped at the Houston D last year and gave Baker just enough time he completed passes and scored points. Our D looked like they were an old electric football game on the field last year, especially the line and backers.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:17 am
And I think Morrison will be just fine now that he’s had an off-season to get healthy. If Zyon can’t get his act straight get him outta here, same for Winfield if he doesn’t return to form, but he did flash last year.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Why did Licht waste a high day 2 pick on a CB who already had a history of injuries in college? Dude only played about 6 games in his final year at Notre Dame. If this kid does not pan out, the pick will go down as another failed 2nd rounder along with Trask, Aguayo, Braswell, Noah Spence, Justin Evans, MJ Stewart and Logan Hall. In contrast Licht has hit on Goedeke, Mauch, Carlton Davis, Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet. Looks like Licht is batting under 0.500 with 2nd rounders and this Morrison pick does have Bowles’ prints all over it, Todd played with the kid’s dad!
March 20th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Surprised we didn’t pick up a vet corner in free agency. Always liked the idea of double dipping (FA + draft pick up) to account for a miss.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:25 am
I swear the Jamel Dean narrative over the last few years is amazing:
“He’s a bum!”
“Out again, cut him!”
Plays a whole year and leaves.
“We let our best player on defense leave. We suck!”
March 20th, 2026 at 9:29 am
It’s going to be a mistake if there’s no competition for either starting CB spot this offseason. Parrishs’ role at nickel back is the only one that should be safe, but we need to go out and get some talent that can come in to compete with Morrison at least and if they can push McCollum, then so be it.
That’s the one position I think we’re ignoring in terms of draft priority and this ’26 class has a good collection of talent at CB. With the loss of Dean, it’ll be interesting to see if we go after CBs of similar stature/athletic profile as Dean.
Guys like:
-Devin Moore
-Tacario Davis
-Ephesians Prysock
-Tony Grimes
-Daylen Everette
-Andre Fuller
-Thad Dixon & a few more.
I would be shocked if the draft starts and ends without our secondary getting a/some new addition(s)
March 20th, 2026 at 9:35 am
J.Gallo 84 … ‘Surprised we didn’t pick up a vet corner in free agency.’
Me too, big time. I always look at each position group asking the question ‘Who’s the Alpha dog in that group?’ It’s that Alpha dog who’s gonna provide the FIELD LEADERSHIP that’s critical to the team’s success.
Usually the Alpha is the veteran in any particular position group. He’s the guy who’s survived the initial 4-5 year period after being drafted & got a 2nd contract, oftentimes with a different team. Some survive long enough to get 3rd or even 4th contracts.
Looking at our CB group, McCollum is the veteran but I can’t see him as a FIELD LEADER. Would love to see us sign a veteran free agent CB who could push either of our outside corners for a starting gig. Might cost us $10-$12 mil a year for a good one, but that’s OK. It’d be money well-spent. Add a rookie CB to the position group and we’d have the 5 CBs we normally go into the season with.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:35 am
How did Morrison’s rookie year compare with Vernon Hargreaves? Seems like VH was even worse.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:36 am
I’d love to read an article on here saying they signed Rasul Douglas. There’s no way he’d be all that expensive and he’s a veteran which is what they need in that room.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:38 am
“A very long season for the Bucs pass defense.” Yet again! same old song every year with Bowles.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Nice rack.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:43 am
I was reading A to Z Sports 4 round mock draft last night
And they have the best mock draft for us that I’ve seen
1. OLB Cashius Howell -Texas A&M
2. CB D’Angelo Ponds – Indiana U
3. LB Kyle Louis – Pittsburgh
4. TE Oscar Delp- Georgia
Ponds is only 5’9 175 lbs, but he’s a solid Slot CB
One of the best I’ve ever seen play
He use to cover Jeremiah Smith when they teammates at Chaminade – McDonald in high school during practice. He has like 31 PD in college, including 3 against Miami in the championship game. And he had a pick six in the semi- finals.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:45 am
*** l meant Chaminade -Madonna
March 20th, 2026 at 10:02 am
“Would love to see us sign a veteran free agent CB who could push either of our outside corners for a starting gig.”
An interesting potential free agent imo would be Kyu Blu Kelly. Last year w/Las Vegas was his first real taste of starting action, having been passed from Seattle, to the Commanders, and then Packers in 2023.
Found his way to LV last season with Spytek, played his way into making 8 starts and played in more games in 2025, than he did in his first 2 years in the league. Wasn’t outstanding, but soild and at 24 he’s a young veteran looking for a long-terms spot on somebodys’ roster. Why not us?
March 20th, 2026 at 10:07 am
When feeling confident that were picking up a corner or safety in rounds 2-4.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Joe,, I don’t see how the Bucs can start these two corners?. They were both horrible last year. This reminds me of Bowles saying Dennis was going to be great and he liked the depth at LB. Morrison, like Dean can’t stay healthy. However , Dean when healthy was pretty good. Morrison, can’t stay healthy and when on the field he can’t play. McColumn, really, was their a worse corner in the NFL last year. This guy should have been put on the bench. Somehow Parrish needs to replace one of these two and they draft a corner who can start. Anyway, too many holes to fix on defense and the Bucs simply are not addressing them now. I guess they are rebuilding, it is the only thing that makes sense. Anyway, no way this team wins next year unless the offense scores boat loads of points. Maybe that is the plan.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:14 am
If you wonder why Evans left, well just look what they have done with the starting corners, and that is just the tip of the problem
March 20th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Tampering happens every year, wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers tampered with Evans. Licht probably just doesn’t want to open up that can of worms, it’s rare the NFL hands out punishments for tampering.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Deprh should be added. Morrison is a ? But he was injured and was drwfted high given his upside. Im more concerned about injury than performance, one of these guys go down, they are f@cked. Need to add another decent body.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:23 am
Sorry Joe’s! Commented on the wrong article!
March 20th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Well, the good news is that Jamel Dean is gone.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am
IF we add a CB early in this Draft. Just not before an Edge Rusher/ILB is taken in Round 1….
But I would be so down to move Parrish outside and let the two best men win of the 3 and Draft NCB Keionte Scott out of Miami. Dude plays old school and brings a physical presence to that D. He’s a dawg and brings the juice too. I’m an FSU guy, so it pains me to admit it, but I love the way he plays and his play style is one that sticks out.
If you wanna keep Parrish inside at NCB – although a bit undersized, Ponds out of Indiana is a DAWG too Love the way he plays and competes. I actually wouldn’t mind coming away with an Indiana OL this Draft either (the Notre Dame transfer Pat Coogan?)!
March 20th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Good, bad, or awful….Morrison will start. There is no way the Bowles doesn’t put his pet project in there. Just cross your fingers.
The next problem is that Bowles and crew can’t self scouting the roster properly, so they’ll think their backups are good enough to play, and the result will be soft off coverage whenever those guys are on the field, and the result of that will be no rush getting to the backfield because recievers are open all over the field.
The future is so easily predicted when it comes to Bowles and his skills.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:38 am
….and Gruden would love him some Keynote Scott, because when he comes to the practice field, he brings the juice and doesn’t have to FAKE IT!
March 20th, 2026 at 10:45 am
There’s no reason why Licht can’t get 4 impact players on defense from this draft
This draft is loaded with talent at ILB, CB, DT, Edge Rushers
I like Ponds at CB, he played outside at Chaminade and JMU and IU
He started every game in college, never missed a game
Had 169 tackles, 3.3 missed tackle rate, only had 2 missed tackles in 2026
Something like a 55.8 passing rate against him
He’s solid, a beast mode CB
I like Scott from Miami also
Terrell from Clemson
Hood from Tennessee
Moore from Florida
March 20th, 2026 at 10:52 am
Remember Bowles played with BM21’s daddy. Ben is being gifted this position not because he earned it on the field. My prediction is that Dean is and will always be the better outside corner between the two and Ben will be even more injury prone than Dean ever was. But that is just my opinion.
March 20th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Aright aready. SUPER BOWL RUN! Here we go again. Let the hype begin now. Oh yes Bucs are CONTENDERS!!!
March 20th, 2026 at 10:58 am
Tim Morrison and Bowles were best buds with Washington
When Licht called Benjamin Morrison during the pick
Licht handled the phone to Bowles
Bowles to Benji, tell your dad l said hello
March 20th, 2026 at 10:59 am
I meant Bowles told Benji….tell your dad I said hello
March 20th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Absurd. Dean is the key to the Super Bowl. Get a brain.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:01 am
But, Benjamin Morrison is a good CB
Last season he was rusty, hadn’t played in awhile
And he was never healthy, but he’s young ( only 22)
I think he’s going to be alright
March 20th, 2026 at 11:03 am
When Dean agreed to a paycut, he was never resigning with the Bucs. The Bucs were never in the equation because of his annual injury history.
Why pay a player a full time salary when he’s absent half the season continually. 🤔 That’s the definition of insanity.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:06 am
Our draft needs to be
Edge
CB
ILB
DT
OL
ILB
OL – we had 4 starters get hurt last year
Not sure we need a TE, depends on what Zac wants here. His 2 TE set in Atlanta had Pitts ( speed guy) and Woerner ( blocking guy) . Think we’ve got that covered with the 4 we have
March 20th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Great picture of Ben Morrison, he looks intimidating – watch out, he might just run up and kiss you…
March 20th, 2026 at 11:11 am
The entire back end of the defense is a question mark. Front 7 got a couple reinforcements, but the LBs and corners are anybody’s guess. We have two kids who were rookies last year and McCollum at corner. No experience and no depth and damn sure no cohesiveness back there. How this was not addressed in FA is malpractice. LB room is sad also. Anzalone just a 1 for 1 replacement for LVD and Dennis a ST backup at best. Totally depending on drafted rookies to shore up the middle of an already suspect defense is not a plan. It is a delusion. We are a rudderless ship with a drunken captain. JL for ROH, please!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:12 am
I guess we could sign Lattimore now. lol. Is Amari Cooper, Samuel Douglas, or Reed still available?
March 20th, 2026 at 11:14 am
“”This reminds me of Bowles saying Dennis was going to be great and he liked the depth at LB””
As did Jason Licht. The 2 nitwits struck again.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Lakeland … ‘Benjamin Morrison is a good CB’.
I agree with you, but his injury situation really hurt him last year. He’s got good length & speed (6’0″ & 190 lbs running a 4.39 sec 40-yd dash) & made his reputation based on press coverage in college. I love that and wish that Bowles would use more man-to-man (on 3rd down especially) and less zone.
Morrison’s stats from last season were a combination of very good and not so very good. He only got 359 def snaps in 10 games, but made pretty good use of those. His 58.5% Completion Percentage Allowed (41 targets – 24 completions) was quite good I thought, especially for a rookie, as were his 4 PDs.
On the other side of the coin though, he allowed 3 passing TDs in 10 games and had a Missed Tackle Rate of 18.8%. Numbers like that can get you a seat on the bench.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:24 am
FortMyersDave Says:
March 20th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Why did Licht waste a high day 2 pick on a CB who already had a history of injuries in college?
—————————————————————————
Morrison was widely viewed as a 1st-round talent, and the injury he dealt with in college has been resolved.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:25 am
The bad news is Zyon McCollum is a starter.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:27 am
BucU
Don’t forget that Braswell is going to shock you!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Defense Rules Says:
On the other side of the coin though, he allowed 3 passing TDs in 10 games and had a Missed Tackle Rate of 18.8%. Numbers like that can get you a seat on the bench.
———————————————————————————–
I believe that learning how to tackle properly will be a point of emphasis for the Bucs in training camp. It needs to be!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:30 am
This team is doomed. We make Swiss cheese look like the Berlin wall.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:37 am
So now we are getting somewhere in admitting it’s not Bowles or Bowles defense. It’s a lack of talent. No edge. No solid cb at any position either 1,2 and slot. Oh LB too.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:40 am
need dbs and lbs plural and the biggest need is edge. lets draft a te at 15
March 20th, 2026 at 11:41 am
Iv said it before and I’ll say it again. There is no faith in this head coach, this team and these players need a disciplinary coach that holds players accountable, and Todd Bowles is not that. 6-11 season coming.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Not a fan of missed tackle rates. Seen too many mistakes made with that. Making plays is what I heard this Morrison was all about. And I haven’t seen it yet. Close but no cigar. Guess we can call Morrison and McCollum M&M. Hopefully they won’t melt in our hands.
March 20th, 2026 at 11:48 am
M&Ms on the corners sounds ok to me. Gotta have faith Buc fans!
March 20th, 2026 at 11:50 am
A tackler with gap responsibility can be blocked 10 yards off the ball. A defender coming down the line gets a hand on him and slows him down to be tackled by the team and the defender who made the play gets charged with a missed tackle. Sometimes I think missed tackle rates show which defenders are making the plays. One of the worst stats to grade a defender on.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
I think Morrison will be a much better player this season with a full offseason to work on his skill set. I can definitely has to work ethic for it and the right attitude. He just has to stay healthy.
Harder to find an excuse for McCollum because he was fully healthy all season and off season prior. Kind of underwhelming considering his contract. He really has to turn this around.
Love Parish but we definitely need to draft a CB and maybe pick up another backup FA CB.
Is Josh Hayes still available? LOL
March 20th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
This guy was supposed to be a steal in the second round. Truth is the Bucs could’ve got him in the 4th. Bowles friend son pick. Licht is a joke. He built this defense that needs building. Go figure.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
If anyone thinks a draft pick is going to be an NFL starter, well I have some swamp property to sell that has $$$$ billions buried deep within it. The Bucs were lazy and now they will continue to pay the price. This falls squarely on Jason ‘Do-Little’ Licht. He is totally unworthy of praise for the mismanagement of this roster.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
The secondary needs improvement bad. Even if you try and compare their rank to other NFL secondaries, you have to account for the quarterbacks in the NFL South. Not the greatest the NFL has to offer.
Dean was injured a lot. Bowles was big on McCollum but he was burnt toast last year. Parrish showed promise but wouldn’t start on half NFL teams. Morrison was…bad. And Antoine had a rough year backing them up. Not sure how much has his fault. This is an area Bowles doesn’t seem to have answers for.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
You don’t throw away high draft picks based on injured rookie campaigns. We’ll have a good idea with Morrison over the offseason if we hear about him looking a lot more comfortable and is having a good camp.
As I always bring up, the low IQ dimwits in here would absolutely be claiming the Bucs wasted a pick on Ronde Barber based on his rookie year where he was only activated for one game, then in his second season only started 9 games. Not saying Morrison is Ronde by any means, but it should be something you keep in your mind before calling someone a bust after a rookie plays poorly in week 2 of the preseason.
With all that said, based on the Bucs injury history at corner, you need another corner who could start, so if there is a run on DE’s or LB’s, wouldn’t be in the worst thing in the world to grab a top corner if they slip.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Morrison is gonna be fine. Let him play man. He was injured a lot of last year. He’ll be good this year, provided he can stay on the field.
March 20th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Devin Moore would come in and challenge both Morrison and Zyon to be a starter IF bowles allowed him to and not gift players starting jobs
GO BUCS!!!!
March 20th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
No patience Joe is back. I clearly remember Ronde Barber having a WAY worse rookie season and people calling him a bust. He ended up with his bust in the HOF. So, maybe give Morrison a bit more time to at least develop into a solid starter. He definitely has the athletic ability.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
M&Ms on the corners sounds good to me. Gotta have faith Bucs fans.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Morrison was a rookie coming off injury with petty much no OTAs or training camp.
CB is one of the most difficult positions to master as a rookie. See Barber and Brian Kelly..both looked terrible as rookies, when in a defense that had a great front 7.
Morrison is super talented and with a full off-season, he should take a big leap.
I expect they will either draft another CB or sign a vet CB.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
I would never ever consider a 22 year old as a bust in the NFL
You don’t understand the mental aspects of the NFL until you’re 25+
A 22 year old with an NFL season under his belt is impressive
He’s only going to improve, as long as he stays healthy
March 20th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
the number one problem is the clown faking to know footballhe stinks
March 20th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
I thought Morrison had a pre planned hip surgery to correct a birth defect. I also remember the timing of the surgery was related to his body specifically his hip had to mature to a specific point for optimum surgical success. He was a terror for ND back there prior to surgery. I think last year was mostly a don’t get hurt and recover year. That is much different than being injury prone. Had he not needed that surgery he would have gone early round one. We still need a top notch vet and a mid round draft pick in our cb room.
March 20th, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Not saying I wanna necessarily Draft him and the one big knock on the guy is his size, but does Avieon Terrell remind anyone else of former Dolphin/Falcon/Buc, Brent Grimes a bit?
March 20th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Before last season Zyon was developing nicely. That’s why he got paid. Idk what happened this year but after the 2nd half of the season literally everyone on defense and offense just fell off the map. I’m not putting to much into it. Morrison will improve we will still see growing pains with him but he will improve. Let’s just hope he’s not the 2nd coming of Dean in the injury department. They should add competition tho. Competition always pushes people to be better.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Tom Petty – A grown man whining about being bullied… with words? LOL!
Here’s a little rhyme they used to teach us sweetheart, maybe it will help you.
“Sticks and stones my break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”
It’s literally true… if I call you a poo-head, it doesn’t have to affect you. Say to yourself, “sticks and stones my break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Continue to repeat it until you believe it, and sooner or later you’ll start to realize words don’t hurt.
But what does hurt is shoving your head in a lawnmower – and it would be a real shame if you did that because we’d all miss your incredible, super high IQ takes!
I’ll pray for you.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
OMG – a post about a current Buc player?
What happened?
Didn’t Mike Evans take a dump this morning?
Certainly we could talk about that instead…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
March 20th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
Reality,
Avieon Terrell has some Britt Grimes in him
And he plays like his brother, AJ Terrell of the Falcons
AJ been training him since high school
I think he’s one of the best man coverage CB in the draft
I wouldn’t hesitate to draft him
March 20th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
Jason shouldve listened to me last year….i was pushing Emmanwori first, then trade back into the 2nd for Schwesinger….both finalists for DROY….and Schwesinger won…bleh, its ok, I wanted a WR too, just not first, but Egbuka was a OROY finalist….
but here we are, 2nd rd friend and former teammate of Ben’s Dad, Todd, doing a solid….maybe he works out, maybe he dont, who TF knows. Im guessing another wasted 2nd rd pick because todd was involved!!!!
March 20th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
This site is filled with negative captain obvious’s… if that’s a word,the Bucs dont suck, its all the captains here sitting on their couches wishing they were todd bowles
March 20th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Thankfully, Dean is gone.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
Exactly what I said yesterday. CBs are the longest position to develop on defense. Jason Licht was smart drafting them first in the defense rebuild.
What we need is a veteran to hold down the position while they develop. Dean was that guy. Now we need a replacement.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
Aww Rod.
Doing the old look at this rabbit song and dance.
You ain’t bullying me bro but you do like to attack other people with genius put downs like low IQ. And when someone calls you on your actual knowledge you fold your argument and resort to cuteness and misdirection. Just like the other trolls 😬
So back to zone coverage vs man to man…. You are, and have been, stoopidly wrong and now you want to avoid the topic. I get it – I’ve known dozens of idiots like you. Here’s a chance to prove how your IQ stacks up – tell us again about how man to man is superior and how much better we were when we ran it predominately….or even when that supposedly happened.
Stick to the topic if you want to prove something – otherwise you’re just trying to run from a fight you started by repeatedly slamming Todd’s (trash soft) zone and claiming the answer is aggresive man to man……Even though you obviously don’t know it when you see it and claimed (incorrecly) we’ve EVER run it as a predominant coverage scheme, even in our SB winning years.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Bucsarg Says:
“I thought Morrison had a pre planned hip surgery to correct a birth defect. I also remember the timing of the surgery was related to his body specifically his hip had to mature to a specific point for optimum surgical success. He was a terror for ND back there prior to surgery. I think last year was mostly a don’t get hurt and recover year. That is much different than being injury prone.”
Nailed it!
March 20th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
^um, not true Bonzai….another I pushed for was Cooper Dejean that year he helped the eagles win the SB as a rook, he went before I wanted him, but he was on my list of importants….they dont all have to be vets….just saying.
March 20th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
I think Morrison is going to be OK… But I AM concerned about the CB position and depth there.
Zyon needs to get his act together. Hopefully our new CB coach can drill him on getting his head turned around when the balls in the air 🏈🙄
March 20th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
*** l meant Brent Grimes***
March 20th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Saying we need to fill a the holes at CB isn’t an indictment against Benjamin Morrison, BUT not replacing Dean with a prospect that’s got a similar ceiling nor upgrading Vildros’ vacated roster spot would not be an ideal way to start camp.
Again, I don’t care about the injury last year, though some fellow Buc fans were very sure he’d replace Dean before seasons’ end and it didn’t quite work out that way. Now, those same fans are calling Morrison a failed pick, which is not only short-sighted, but way too early to label someone who hasn’t been in the NFL a calendar year a “bust”.
Stop it, and get some help.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
I remember a guy name ronde barber. Had a horrible rookie year and turn out to be one of the best.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
The NFL is playing the annual “fool the fans” game. Works every year. All teams will win the Super Bowl.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
I tend to look at secondary play as a unit. When a team busts 4 long scoring plays like New England did to us last season we had a big problem. Antoine, Tykee, and Parrish. McCollum and Morrison. That’s our starting secondary. To keep those 5 guys on the proper edge, since none of them display real leadership skills, I think Jacob Rodriguez would play in a manner that will fire up the whole defense. Maybe even the whole team. I think the new longhaired Lions linebacker plays with some urgency. That new big Panther DTackle is got some nasty going. It’s more than just the secondary that needs to play like a unit, isn’t it? The defense needs to play like a unit. Whoops. Wrong again. The whole team has to play like a unit. Once we fix that we will get back to good form.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
Not sure how the Bucs will set their draft priorities this year, but we’ve got 3 CBs in the fold already, all capable of being starters. My guess is that CB will NOT be a Rnd 1 pick, and maybe not even a Rnd 2 pick this year.
Walter Football has 6 CBs listed as Rnd 1-2 picks. More than likely all will be gone by the time we pick in Rnd 2 (and one of those is Avieon Terrell). But Georgia’s Daylen Everette (6’1″ & 196 lbs with 4.48 speed in the 40) looks like a potential Rnd 3 pick. Probably not a rookie starter, but looks like he has excellent potential. San Diego State’s Chris Johnson (6’0″ & 193 lbs with 4.40 speed in the 40) intrigues me as a Rnd 3-5 pick. He had 4 INT, 1 FF, 8 PD & 48 tackles in 2025, to go with his 1 INT, 3 FF, 3 PD & 65 tackles in 2024. That’s pretty decent production over 2 years.
I’m also gonna guess that the Bucs will sign a free agent veteran CB before Training Camp. Right now there are still 41 CBs available (UFAs), 28 of those under 30 yrs old. We’re only looking for 1.
March 20th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Licht has done worse with 2nd round picks. See Kyle Trask. That said, we could’ve done better with that pick than Morrison. As a 2nd round pick his impact was more negative, then positive. Hope he rebounds, this season. Bucs are counting on it. Like they counted on Dennis last year.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
I love how all of a sudden so many guys remember Ronde Barber’s rookie year. But in the end, injuries or rookie status, if you’re in the game, you have to be able to produce, right? Isn’t next man up the mantra. I am cheering for Morrison. But we still need help in the secondary, draft or otherwise. Also, while I’ve been a Buc fan since 1983, I’m not going to sit here and say I “remember” Ronde’s rookie year. I remember seeing some guy post it hours ago after hearing that on sports radio.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Defense Rules Says:
I’m also gonna guess that the Bucs will sign a free agent veteran CB before Training Camp. Right now there are still 41 CBs available (UFAs), 28 of those under 30 yrs old. We’re only looking for 1.
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I strongly disagree on that – depth at corner is non-existent. Yeah, you have 3 starters, but I don’t consider any of the backups worthy of even have a roster spot. To me, you need 3 more corners as you’ll normally keep 6.
If there is a big run on DE’s and LB’s, as I said above, I’d have no issues with taking a corner high, and letting Morrison and them fight it out. Can never have too much depth – plus you might be able to cross-train someone at safety as well to give you depth there.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
LichtBowlesSecondary Says:
Isn’t next man up the mantra.
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Next man up is a generic, boring, dullard phrase repeated by the same people who find bumper stickers meaningful.
It’s right there with awful people who talk about how everything is a ‘journey’ – when the only ‘journey’ they should be on is to the middle east to have ISIS remove their head.
But that’s just my opinion, to each their own.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
CB might end up being the best player available at 15. If that happens and the Bucs walk away with their top rated CB in the draft at 15 that wouldn’t suck. Id rather them do that than reach for an edge or LBer who might be 3rd or 4th best at their position and not much different than ones that may be available in the 2nd round.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Rod, uh, that’s the point. Sorry I didn’t make it obvious enough. Our HC uses it all the time.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Add this problem to the reduction in red zone effectiveness that came from losing Evans and I do nit have us winning the nfc south this year. We might be last likely 3rd
March 20th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
LichtBowlesSecondary Says:
March 20th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Rod, uh, that’s the point. Sorry I didn’t make it obvious enough. Our HC uses it all the time.
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Oh, I know. I was mocking the people that say that for real – not you.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
OJT as a starting corner is kind of risky. McCollum trending toward bust doesn’t help either. You can’t fault the two rookies last year. GM needs to find some experienced help to allow the rooks to ease in a little. We need 3 this year. Same at ILB. They can’t all be rookies. Malpractice from TB and JL.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
No player in history, no matter how great or how bad, would make any difference in this secondary.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Tom Petty Says:
Zone Philosophy: The 2020 unit was recognized for playing heavy zone coverage, particularly in situations where they needed to limit big plays, with rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. playing a key role in those assignments.
Super Bowl LV Exception: While zone-heavy throughout the season, the Bucs shifted to a “no-blitz” zone approach for Super Bowl LV. They rushed only four defenders on most snaps (9.6% blitz rate) and relied on deep zone coverage to neutralize the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing attack.
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Oh this is what you were whining about – you need to actually put your stuff in the right threads so I have a clue what you’re talking about. Anywho, congrats on being able to copy and paste from Google AI – amazing, insightful stuff.
So lets look at the claims that the Bucs ran mostly ‘zone’ in 2020… what was that ‘zone’? It was a press-zone, where you come up, press the man off the line of scrimmage, then cover them in man before handing them off. In other words, what we call, ‘man-to-man’ defense. No one thinks of, or calls that ‘zone’ defense except for hipsters who want to be quoted by AI as experts.
If you think the defense we’re seeing now is just like 2020 – that we’re playing aggressive ‘press-zone’ defense, then you’re a very very low IQ individual.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
If someone told me two years ago Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum would be the Bucs starting corners for 2026 I would have been ecstatic but after what both showed last season, I’m just ok.
There is too much defensive talent at other positions available for Bowles to treat himself to another undersized toy for his secondary. I could live with Avieon Terrell or Chris Johnson in round 2-3 but I really like both Toledo CBs almost as much as Johnson, based on who the Bucs already have on the roster. Andre Fuller and Avery Smith both have ideal size and are both refined enough to start in a pinch and will be available on day 3.
Nothing against the 2026 CB crop but there are just too many valuable pieces available early in this draft to grab another CB after the Bucs already replaced Dean and Izien with two early picks last year. Even if we had retained both departed DBs I would still be targeting Fuller and/or Smith on Day 3.
March 20th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
I remember when fans were calling Rondae Barber a bust
The Bucs drafted him in the 3rd round
Then they drafted Al Harris in the 6th round
And fans were calling Al Harris a bust also
Tony Dungy cut Al Harris, then placed him on the Practice Squad
The next season in 1998, Dungy cut Al Harris again, and kept Barber
But Ray Rhoades claimed Al Harris of waivers for the Eagles
And Harris got his opportunity to play, and he shined
Al Harris went on to have a successful 14 year career, especially with Green Bay
Rondae went to have a Hall of Fame career with the Bucs
March 20th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
So, did the Falcons just improve their secondary? Asking for a friend.
March 20th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
“In other words, what we call, ‘man-to-man’ defense. No one thinks of, or calls that ‘zone’ defense except for hipsters who want to be quoted by AI as experts.“
CBs proximity to the LOS doesn’t change the fact it’s still a zone concept, it’s not press man if they’re handing anything that goes outside of their “zone” to the next level of the defense.
Also, you’ve used AI in these threads, don’t down play it because Skynet jr has turned against you lol
March 20th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
The Falcons improved their secondary last season
They lost Dee Alford, but he was Billy Bowman backup anyway
March 20th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
And the Sydney Brown trade was ok
He will be good for depth
March 20th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Rod Munch … ‘To me, you need 3 more corners as you’ll normally keep 6.’
On average it looks like the Bucs do normally keep 6 CBs on the roster Rod, but only dress an average of 5 CBs for each game. We also dress an average of 4 Safeties for each game it looks like.
So as long as we have 5 quality CBs who can start, rotate in or back up we should be OK. Well, until 1 gets hurt and has to go on IR for a stretch (or worst case for the rest of the season). But that’s usually when we add guys like Thunderclap during the season, or bring somebody up from the PS.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
Come on Joe. Super Bowl. Team is going to be sub .500.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
bowles will have the Bucs become the first sub-500 team to win a Super Bowl! Yay. It could happen.
A few plane crashes…..
March 20th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
Come on Sam. Super Bowl is the goal. Team is going to continue to pursue greatness this year!
We’ve got a potentially-deep-playoffs offense with a new OC that will be working with a now-healthy contingent.
We’ve secured a couple of improvements on defense without breaking the bank (which is low on funds).
We’ve got the combination of time for strategic trades and a currently-full selection of draft picks pending.
Let’s see what the organization can do before we start digging graves.
Glass half full!
March 20th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
I get Dean getting away. They shortshirted him, so he wasn’t going to stick around. Imo, the fail was letting Izien walk. With Izien, you can put him in the slot, start Parrish on the outside, and flip for your poison between Morrisonson and McC on the other side. Now you g9tta waist yet another top 4 pick on a rookie CB. Licht shines like gutted candle. No vision, no pre-emptive thoughts, he’s just happy to play the cards he’s deal and hope his opponent score less than his team. Passive
March 20th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Hey Joe(s): Thank you for your filtering out my post from a few minutes ago. It was a positive response to Sam Says: above. Your algorithms are apparently designed to allow Rod Munch insults while eliminating non-insults.
The insults evidently draw more revenue than positive posts!
March 20th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Between the front 7 and our Db’s??
I see why 13 left
Did we really pay Zyon 48 million?
Wow
March 20th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Ps we need to fire Licht
He just doesn’t get it
March 20th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Lol @ Rod.
So now it’s an aggressive zone we need to revert to because what you’ve been calling man to man isn’t really man to man but then again it really is man to man that only hipsters who want to be quoted call zone ? SMH 🙄
Nobody compared the 2 defenses (2020 & 2025) except for you – to give me an example of when we played predominately man to man except that was pretty much ignorant yapping on your part.
You’ve been beating this horse (man to man is the answer) for a long time and it’s always been uninformed and incorrect. Maybe you should have tried a quick AI or Google search before setting yourself up to be a blow hard idiot ? Ignorance is curable, stupidity is not.
Aggressive zone (pressing @ LOS etc) is still zone.
You ARE WRONG, period.
Maybe the Bucs secondary was more aggressive in 2020 but they were running predominately cover 2 and cover 3 ZONE COVERAGE. You can’t just change the meaning of the terms and expect us all to play alone.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Bowles claimed Zyon said he gets bored on the field. Did he? Maybe Zyon said it was boring playing 10 yards off the receiver.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
Rod Munch blames Baker Mayfield for Morrison being hurt all of the time. Because, of course he does.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Tom Petty Says:
Nobody compared the 2 defenses (2020 & 2025) except for you
————
Your takes are incredibly bad. Literally everyone compares defenses – that’s how you come up with rankings, and interesting chatter.
Also, ‘press-zone’ as it’s called is just man-to-man. All it means is you’re handing off guys down the field – and 80% of all plays are over before that hand off occurs.
Again, stop copy and pasting from Google AI, or at least go deeper and actually look into what is being called zone – it’s not what real people call zone.
As for zone, if you’re watching that super soft stand around doing nothing nonsense last year and think it’s the same as the 2002 Bucs defense, which also ran zone, you’re insane.
Oh wait, did I say the 2002 Bucs defense ran zone? Well, they also did run some man – so wow, I’m debunked. Time to hang it up.
March 20th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
Petty and Munch! Grab the popcorn. Who needs basketball!? (Actually, I need both)
March 20th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
March 20th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
“In other words, what we call, ‘man-to-man’ defense. No one thinks of, or calls that ‘zone’ defense except for hipsters who want to be quoted by AI as experts.“
CBs proximity to the LOS doesn’t change the fact it’s still a zone concept, it’s not press man if they’re handing anything that goes outside of their “zone” to the next level of the defense.
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Nobody watching a corner jamming/pressing at the line, then covering man-to-man for 3 seconds before handing a guy off thinks that is zone – and that’s what the hipsters are claiming is zone. No one calls it that other than smug football nerds doing YouTube videos.
If you want to call that zone, fine – then run THAT zone – not the super soft trash Bowles has been running the last few years where guys are lined up 15 yards off the LOS and literally stand flat footed waiting for something to happen. The 2020 team, down the stretch when they got hot, were aggressive and jamming guys at the line, not just stand around. Last year, when the Bucs did play up, being aggressive in coverage, that’s often when the defense looked like a legit defense. If people think the answer for the defense is more soft serve, that’s just insane.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Awe, Munch swinging at everybody. Stick with you and Petty.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:08 pm
Defense Rules – I don’t know if the Bucs can have 5 starters at corner, but if we can get one more guy that can start, and then at least 2 decent backups, that would seem like win. Right now the top reserve is who, Josh Hayes? He’s not been good, but as corner #6, or more of as a special teams guy I’d be OK with him, but hopefully they improve the depth since backups tend to start at least a few games a year for the Bucs.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
LichtBowlesSecondary Says:
March 20th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Awe, Munch swinging at everybody. Stick with you and Petty.
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I take on all comers, a one man Army.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
I’m sure Bowles will mold the CBs into champions.
His 1-3 record in the playoffs confirms it.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
“If you want to call that zone, fine – then run THAT zone – not the super soft trash Bowles has been running the last few years where guys are lined up 15 yards off the LOS and literally stand flat footed waiting for something to happen.“
So you want tighter, more intimate zone concepts with heavy petting at the LOS.
Shall I suggest the roast CB, with a side of big play and maybe an old fashion for drinks?
March 20th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Rod Munch: You frequently insult other posters with assessments of their I.Q.s
Joint assessment might conclude that you’re not scoring highly tonight.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:25 pm
MadMax Says:
“^um, not true Bonzai….another I pushed for was Cooper Dejean that year he helped the eagles win the SB as a rook, he went before I wanted him, but he was on my list of importants….they dont all have to be vets….just saying.”
I didn’t suggest all vets…I suggested one vet. 😉
March 20th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
You all do not need to examine this with electron microscopes. The Bucs will not make the SuperBowl. Bet the ranch. Bowzo is a 50/50 plan. Close but no cigar.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Fortunately Todd Bowles remains to coach up the defense, while coaching up the offense and coaching up the special teams, as a head coach does. Except Todd is also full time on the defense too. Any defensive player will challenge for rookie of the year, as they all have.
Bucs fired all the problems. Bucs are set.
Super Bowle.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
ExBrowns02, don’t forget “moron,” and “dimwit,” Munch calls us those regularly too.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Of the Bucs were serious about improving the secondary they could. Rasul Douglas seems like an ideal fit for Bowles defense. Avonte Maddox is a very good player who can play multiple positions and was actually rated higher than Winfield last season at safety. If we brought in both of them the secondary would be filled and no longer a need. They could still draft a CB but they could wait until a later round to draft one.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:51 pm
So this Barnwell character gives 20 of 32 teams a chance to make the Super Bowl? That’s 62.5% of the league!
What kind of shocking revelation is that? And this guy gets paid to make these kind of earth shattering prognostications?
“Hello, ESPN, this is JA. No, not that JA, the one with the brains. About that Talking Head opening? Yes, I’ll send a resume, but I’ll go ahead and provide you with an earth shattering prediction now. Ready? Tomorrow will be Saturday! How’s that? You’ll get back to me? Ok, great!”
March 20th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
LichtBowlesSecondary Says:
March 20th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
ExBrowns02, don’t forget “moron,” and “dimwit,” Munch calls us those regularly too.
__________________
As much as I’d like to give him credit for his input, he just diminishes himself too much with his juvenile statements.
He terms it his “opinion”. It appears more to me like a label (____________)
March 20th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Mr. Brilliant doesn’t think that when you’re defending — and “handing off” coverage to another defender, is zone coverage.
What do we call that Mr. Brilliant? Please teach us as we are willing to learn from the master.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
Rod Munch says:
“Nobody watching a corner jamming/pressing at the line, then covering man-to-man for 3 seconds before handing a guy off thinks that is zone – and that’s what the hipsters are claiming is zone. No one calls it that other than smug football nerds doing YouTube videos.”
You mean nobody but you. Literally EVERYBODY calls that zone except for you. Maybe you could benefit from some youtube videos by smug football nerds. They obviously know something(s) you don’t about basic football stuff.
You should stick to your Baker trolling and stop pretending you’re something your not (intelligent and knowledgeable about defense) for awhile…. Most of us no longer engage in the Baker bickering so there will be less people to call you out for your dumb a$$ takes.
March 21st, 2026 at 1:58 am
The jury is definitely still out on Morrison. Three years. Every rookie should get three years. That said, they better draft another CB on day two
March 21st, 2026 at 3:13 am
The hole that needs to be filled the most is the head coaching D/C one. Till then it honestly doesn’t matter much.
Everyone saying we will win the division. Oh boy! Even if that somehow happens we lose the first playoff game anyway.Other than a small stretch with Brady we wasted many years of many good players careers on our team doing nothing with them.
March 21st, 2026 at 8:51 am
Tomlin coming!!!