Benjamin Morrison Explains His Hard Rookie Lessons
August 21st, 2026
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison reflects on what he has learned.
Joe always appreciates when an NFL player bares his soul, comes clean and is upfront and honest.
And Joe believes that’s what second-year corner Benjamin Morrison did yesterday when he spoke to the local pen and mic club.
There is no pretty way to describe it. Morrison had a poor rookie season. It was to the point more than a few Bucs fans wrote him off.
Irresponsible if not rash? Sure, but understandable.
To hear Morrison talk about his rookie season after training camp practice, it sounds like he entered the NFL last year a little cocky or a little bit arrogant — and quickly had a reality check.
But Morrison used a different word than cocky or arrogant.
“I was young, I was naïve,” Morrison said of last season. “Coming out of college [the NFL is] more physical.
“[In college], it’s mainly, I line up across from a dude and I’m physically better than you, you know what I’m saying? Now, it’s like everyone in the league is good.
“So, it’s like, how can I, even though I’m not on the field, but how can I still gain these reps off the field? That’s why I feel the biggest jump for me was this year coming to camp.
“Like I said, still getting to where I want to be, but I feel like I’ve been able to keep up just off of the mental side of the game. Now, my mind is there and I’m getting the body back.”
Well, it’s good that Morrison learned receivers are just as athletic and strong as he is, if not more so. You would have thought his dad, a former NFL player himself, would have told him that. But maybe Morrison, as many college-age men do, thought he already had it figured out when, in reality, he hadn’t figured out anything.
Morrison’s mental approach is solid. Now,he has to work on that brittle body of his to stay out of the tub and on the field — and help a thinner-than-thin Bucs cornerback room.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:14 am
Like a lot of things in life (not just football), you may think you know. But until you live it, you just don’t know.
Now, cue all the keyboard commandos to call him soft, say he sucks, JL is a stupid at drafting, and we should cut bait now. Did I miss anything?
August 21st, 2026 at 7:17 am
I really don’t care what this kid says until he can stay healthy enough to help us win games…
This china doll hasn’t been full go since his Soph season at ND.
What a joke.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:18 am
SOFT – SOFT – SOFT – SOFT!!!!!!
Hi Mr. Drunk.
Good morning buddy…
August 21st, 2026 at 7:29 am
“Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to got through life, son.”
— Dean Wormer
August 21st, 2026 at 7:34 am
“Now, cue all the keyboard commandos to call him soft, say he sucks, JL is a stupid at drafting, and we should cut bait now. Did I miss anything?”
The empty headed nepotism comments because Morrisons’ dad played a single year with Todd Bowles during the1st Clinton admin, that that make Bowles his Godfather and the insinuation say that’s the only reason we drafted Morrison.
I’m not the biggest fan of the kids’ injury history, but he has skill it’s just that we’ve only gotten a small sample of what he can do as a rookie. Now it’s yr 2 and he’s been out, though I will say if the precaution means we get him later for preserving him now, I’m fine with that.
Can’t forget, you’ll get the “we need to sign a veteran” comments when you can easily go look at available CBs and see that there’s nobody out there worth bringing in. Rumors of Joey Porter jr “holding in” while the Steelers are open to dealing him, but apart of the rumor is the Steelers may want a 1st as compensation while Porter wants a new deal. Kind of makes sense why they courted and signed Dean for a discount.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:35 am
“SOFT, always injured and in the hot tub is no way to go through a football season…”
– Dean Marine
August 21st, 2026 at 7:44 am
We’ll, let’s see what ya got young man.
August 21st, 2026 at 7:57 am
I’m actually okay with Morrison. True – he has been hurt alot. Nobody wants to be hurt. He got burned a couple of times but in the NFL, who doesn’t, especially over confident rookies. I did see a few flashes of good closing speed and better than average tackling. Here’s to hoping the young man can stay healthy and add to the paper thin cornerback room.
August 21st, 2026 at 8:02 am
Bye bye !
I’m so tired of this nothing Buccaneer !
It’s like a bad reoccurring dream
August 21st, 2026 at 8:19 am
@ Lt. Dan
Even when healthy last season Ben-Mo had a PFF score of 47.
Ranking him #110 out of #114 eligible CBs.
That is DEPLORABLE and I would rather him stay injured rather than steal any more playing time from legit DBs.
Prove me wrong Ben-Mo!
I BEG you!
August 21st, 2026 at 8:21 am
Joe … ‘Joe always appreciates when an NFL player bares his soul, comes clean and is upfront and honest.’
And just about every time a player does ‘come clean’ Joe, he gets skewered in the media for admitting what was actually going through his head.
Example? Morrison’s response in learning that NFL receivers are just as athletic & strong as he is …
“You would have thought his dad, a former NFL player himself, would have told him that.”
Or …
“But maybe Morrison, as many college-age men do, thought he already had it figured out when, in reality, he hadn’t figured out anything.”
Yup, let’s go with ‘Honesty is always the best policy’. Well, unless you’re an NFL player talking to the media who’s gone through some tough times. It’s only his 2nd year & he was injured much of his 1st year. Folks need to cut him a little slack & let’s see what we’ve really got in Ben Morrison.
August 21st, 2026 at 8:25 am
@Marine,
Good morning to you, my friend. We are so close to being able to comment on things that actually matter
All this to say. I wouldn’t object to a nice deal for the young man in Pittsburgh. Just because I don’t think B Mo is a lost cause like some people doesn’t mean we shouldn’t improve the shakiest position on defense.
August 21st, 2026 at 8:29 am
@ DR
“Folks need to cut him a little slack”
NOPE!
This is an elite NFL team…
Not a pre-school for bad DBs.
If he repeats his last year’s performance he HAS to go and go quickly.
I don’t care about hurt feelings (obviously).
August 21st, 2026 at 8:32 am
@ Drunk
I understand.
Honestly – I just don’t like this kid…
And I am frustrated that because he was our GMs little beloved 2nd round pick (who is also Todd Bowles buddies son) this franchise did nothing to address the weakest unit on this team except a 4th round pick and a n UDFA.
That is NOT a way to build a SB roster IMO.
August 21st, 2026 at 8:50 am
maturity is the issue….i’d take him having to grow up a bit vs Zyon being bored lol…im willing to give him some slack mainly because of his health….Zyon doesnt get that benefit…he’s a vet with a huge contract….
regardless, currently we have 1 NFL quality outside CB on the roster….thats cause for concern…
GO BUCS!!!!
August 21st, 2026 at 8:51 am
If this kid can make a couple of game changing plays perhaps he can redeem himself. Of course he has to get on the field first!
August 21st, 2026 at 8:57 am
Getting his body back? From where? He had had all off-season. If he can’t survive the summer how’s is going to survive the season? Hope hope hope. Go Bucs?
August 21st, 2026 at 9:10 am
Rhone Barber had a terrible rookie year. It’s way too early to give up on this kid.
August 21st, 2026 at 9:27 am
He’s a 22 year old kid who discovered he wasn’t better than everyone else around him. That’s a great moment of self-realization that a lot of athletes NEVER allow themselves to accept – and they don’t last long because of it.
If he’s willing to admit he’s got room to improve that’s a good sign he’s more likely to put in the work to do it. Hard to rag on a guy for being honest enough to say he needs to be better.
August 21st, 2026 at 9:37 am
@ Louis
“Hard to rag on a guy for being honest enough to say he needs to be better.”
Is this the real reason we are “ragging” on this “guy”?
Can we be for reals up in here?
We are raging on this guy for being a china doll NFL player who has been injured since his Soph year at ND.
We are raging on this guy for only playing 7 games last season.
We are raging on this guy for being one of the worst CBs in the NFL when he DID FINALLY play.
We are raging on this guy because his daddy is close friends with our crappy head coach and he probably talked our GM into this stupid decision.
We are raging on this guy because he is now preventing our mediocre NFL team from upgrading the weakest unit on this team…
Do you now have a more proper perspective of our reasons for “ragging” on this NFL player?
It’s not personal…
But this might go down as our GM’s worst 2nd round pick since that worthless kicker who’s name I will NOT mention.
August 21st, 2026 at 9:59 am
Now that he talked the talk, let’s see if he walks the walk. Not impressed so far.
August 21st, 2026 at 10:05 am
I feel a Marine Buc injury coming soon.
August 21st, 2026 at 10:39 am
Marine Buc Says:
August 21st, 2026 at 9:37 am
@ Louis
“Hard to rag on a guy for being honest enough to say he needs to be better.”
Is this the real reason we are “ragging” on this “guy”?
********************
The kid was playing with a congenital birth defect to his hips until his sophmore year in college. The pain got to a point where he either had to have surgery or quit playing the game. The Bucs knew that going into the draft and that his recovery was going to be extended because bone growth caused by the surgery needed time to set in. This is the aftermath.
But sure, anyone who goes through that just to play football must be very soft. Right?
August 21st, 2026 at 11:04 am
There is sooooo many pundits on here that would have cut SAPP, BARBER, AND LYNCH after their first or second year…All hall of famers i might add! You could throw in McCoy as well who was hurt first 3 seasons…Thank God u all live in your mom’s basement and don’t run the team
August 21st, 2026 at 11:38 am
Where are these drunk references coming from? Has he been known to have a drinking problem.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:01 pm
The only thing that matters is if Ayden Garnes is better than BMo, does Todd have the courage to play Garnes over BMo? I doubt it.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:20 pm
LOL
August 21st, 2026 at 12:38 pm
God son energy with a blank check of excuses. Todd Bowles approved.
Joe Burrow can’t wait to meet BM.
56-10 Bengals
August 21st, 2026 at 12:56 pm
“honestly, I just don’t like this kid”. Um, sounds personal to me. He may turn out to be a complete bust. After an injured rookie season, it’s too soon to call. Trending in the wrong direction, but as has been mentioned, other great couple players have started their careers poorly. The afore mentioned ronde, GMC tore both biceps his first two years (I’m sure you never liked him because: ” soft”), but he was still a productive player, just never the killer we wanted him to be. Anyway, there are plenty of examples. Hopefully he turns it around. If not, we turn the Page.
August 21st, 2026 at 1:04 pm
He does suck. The guy can’t get though a practice without getting hurt. Whether you are drunk or sober, anyone can see that. Unless you are one of those Notre Dame fans who wants to look the other way from it while you are busy believing you are going to win a national championship this year. heard that alot too. Haha! Keep drinking. Cheers! Cut bait and move on, he’s a bust.
August 21st, 2026 at 1:29 pm
@ Marine
There’s an opperation you can have to cut the cord that goes from your eye balls to your A hole and get rid of that SH**ty outlok you have on life.
FYI If he’s Bolwes God son, then he is probably harder on him than anyone else on the team. Just ask anyone who has ever worked for their father.
Not sure what happened in your life today, but I sure hope it gets better.
August 21st, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Why was he even on the field??!!
Dean was a top 5 CB last year?
Why did Bowles want to “get his feet wet” as he said about Morrsion?
Every time Morrison was on the field, he gave up a TD or he missed a tackle!
Why was he rotating series with Dean?
Bowles is not a bad coach. But I will never understand why Morrsion saw the field last year!
Let Morrison get reps in practice. Not during games!
Dean never should have rotated with Morrison.
He looked like one of the worst corners in the NFL while Dean was playing at an elite level!
And why did we prioritize Otton with his 30 million dollar deal when we could have kept Dean for the next 3 years!
Otton is an average TE. Dean is an elite CB. Tight ends are easy to find in the 2nd and 3rs round of the draft!
I’m sure we will regret letting Dean leave this year.
Morrison grew up rich and SOFT.
He even runs like a fruity boy!
Fudge!
I miss Dean already.
August 21st, 2026 at 1:34 pm
I am so glad you are chair GM’s are just that, arm chair GM’s
August 21st, 2026 at 1:51 pm
You people and your Todd Bowles friends son bull crap. This kid was the top three corner by every pre ranking sight some had him number one and he was 2nd on more this than 3rd. He was a preseason all American and a legit top tier draft prospect. The second round was thought to be a steal for his upside. Let the man play some games and actually practice before we judge him. If it’s year 4 and he is still injured and getting roasted then yes complain all you want. The guy has played 10 games and practiced even less. Let him get some constant playing time and this kid will be above average. And you will all be saying what a great pick. Damn if we would have cut ronde barber after his horrible first year and not so good second. He is a hall of famer me and my buddies use to call him burnde barber. Give the kid a chance to develop. Go watch the tape on the eagles game last year. This kid has pro bowl potential
August 21st, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Self-aware people have the most potential to improve.
August 21st, 2026 at 2:13 pm
Jeff, stop trying to lead with logic. That won’t get you too far with this crowd. I too saw that all of the pre-draft Intel had him as one of the, if not the most accomplished corners with potential in the NFL. It’s almost a shame that the pseudo-nepotism charge came out because that now becomes a default charge as soon as anything negative happens with the kid.
August 21st, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Damn – stand down Marine…….
Sounds like you were working towards an a.m. stroke over a 2nd year CB…..
A lot of Bucs fans felt the same way about Goedeke coming into year 2 as you apparently feel about Morrison.
B’Mo has all the tools and talent needed to be a good CB in this league – but it usually takes a bit of adjustment time for College players coming into the NFL. Especially at that particular position. Parrish was an exception last year that you don’t usually see…..
Morrison is not a starter as of now – so give the kid some room to develop please….. He missed all of last offseason and too much time this year as well – so he’s got some catching up to do. I think he’s going to be fine eventually… perhaps better than fine……
August 21st, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Yeah, I don’t recall anyone complaining about his mental approach to the game. How could they when there has been so little physical presence to evaluate?
August 21st, 2026 at 3:01 pm
The depth of stupidity and bigotry(?) around here never ceases to amaze me.
Jeffbuc, Steven007 is correct – some of our commenters are immune to logic.
August 21st, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Man wtf did he think the nfl was going to be lol
#21 got potential though to be future lockdown im rooting for him
August 21st, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Dayum the guy’s ONLY in his 2nd season….and peeps calling him a bust. smh
August 21st, 2026 at 4:37 pm
@marine buc years of offing babies and farmers for the Bilderbergs and Rothchilds got you off your rocker huh?
August 21st, 2026 at 4:55 pm
I’m holding on to hope for this guy. If he can make the year two leap and JP can get even better we could suddenly have a very dangerous, young defense. Corner is our biggest weakness even though we’ve invested a lot in it via draft. We need this one to pan out badly.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Son you have to prove and show you an do the position and not get hurt every time the ball or players come your way. Reality check
August 21st, 2026 at 7:32 pm
Bucs have the deepest secondary in the league and the best defensive coach.