How secure?
Some interesting insight here from a guy Joe is going to bet had long talks last week with both Bucs coach Todd Bowles and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Good guy Brian Baldinger from the NFL Network was at a closed Bucs OTA last week. When you are a good dude and a former NFL player who works for the league, doors open that are normally closed to others.
One of the things Baldinger mentioned was the following:
“A lot of good young players again, with a chance to be … ,” and strangely Baldinger’s voice dropped off. Fair to say Baldinger was talking about playing time and snaps. You know, a chance to be impact players.
“Emeka Egbuka, Benjamin Morrison, some of the guys [the Bucs] are going to be counting on this year, you know, [Jacob] Parrish.”
Joe knows it is way, way, way too early to start penciling in starters but man, everything Joe sees and hears, it sounds like Jacob Parrish has the starting slot gig for himself as long as he doesn’t get hurt or start practicing lousy football.
As for Emeka Egbuka, we know he’s going to start. At worst, he’s going to get targets every game he’s on the field.
Benjamin Morrison is the wild card here. Joe is going to guess, at worst, he will be Jamel Dean’s backup. We all know Dean is going to get hurt. Death, taxes and Dean missing games with injuries are life’s guarantees.
So when — not if — Dean gets hurt, Morrison will get on the field, Joe’s willing to bet. The interesting thing is, does Dean get Wally Pipp’ed by Morrison?
(For those not hip with widely-used baseball historical references, click here.)
.@Buccaneers good afternoon of OTA's. Good opportunity to look at the rookie class and a few new faces and coaches. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/JOO9qOyWXB
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) June 5, 2025