It wasn’t perfect for Bucs cornerback Benjamin Morrison today against the Bengals, but it sure was damn encouraging.
Joe has to acknowledge the young man.
Pressed into duty early in the first half after fellow second-year cornerback Jacob Parrish left the game with a back injury, Morrison jumped in to replace him and did a solid job.
Stud Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for only 5 catches and 71 yards receiving. If you told Joe a month ago (or seven hours ago) that would be their output facing a weak Buccaneers pass rush and cornerbacks Morrison and Zyon McCollum, Joe would have laughed out loud.
Morrison finished the game with a pass defensed, a tackle for loss and four total tackles. The 29-yard pass he allowed to Higgins late in the game was an All-Pro level catch. Not much Morrison could have done there.
Morrison, 22, missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury after missing a lot of game action last season. He played in half of the final preseason game two weeks ago and the Bucs proclaimed him to be healthy. And that he was.
Joe hopes Morrison can build on this performance. And it seems there’s a good chance he’ll be starting for Parrish on Sunday against the Browns.
The Bucs might have quality cornerbacks depth after all. Maybe.