Benjamin Morrison Highlights Defense’s Dominant Day

The Bucs returned to the AdventHealth Training Center Tuesday morning for the fourth of their nine OTA practices. In sweltering temperatures (despite the partly cloudy skies), Tampa Bay continued to put in the work as it works its way toward mandatory mini-camp, which will be held from June 16-18.

For now, though, this phase of the offseason program remains voluntary. It’s hard to tell that such is the case with the Bucs right now, as Tuesday’s practice – which is the only one open to the media this week – featured strong attendance once again. The non-injury related absences included Al-Quadin Muhammad, Christian Rozeboom and Vita Vea, but aside from that trio, it appeared that everyone else was out there.

There were several injured Bucs who were present for practice but understandably not participating. Among that group was JJ Roberts, DeMonte Capehart, Haggai Ndubuisi, Miles Killebrew, Dennis Houston, Eric Rivers Jr. and Bucky Irving. And while Antoine Winfield Jr. was initially holding a helmet early on in practice, he wound up watching from the side throughout.

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Bailey Adams and Kat Beutel were all on hand at One Buc Place for Tuesday’s practice. Here are their observations and takeaways from the day.

Benjamin Morrison And The Bucs Defense Rule The Day

After the Bucs offense got the better of the Bucs defense during last Tuesday’s practice, it was the defense’s turn to flip the script this time around. That side of the ball set the tone early in 11-on-11 action, with Rakeem Nunez-Roches blowing up the first play and getting to Baer Mayfield for would-be sack before Calijah Kancey and a host of defensive linemen were in on a tackle for loss one play later.

Then, on the third play of the period, it was takeaway time. Second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison played perfect coverage on Chris Godwin Jr., jumped Baker Mayfield’s pass and picked it off, leading to a whole lot of screaming and jumping around from Tampa Bay’s newly energized defense.

That three-play stretch, highlighted by Morrison’s interception, got things in motion for the Buccaneer defense. On the one hand, fifth-year corner Zyon McCollum said after practice that Morrison’s big play showed them that the work they’re putting in is, well, working.

“It just tells us that the work is working,” McCollum said. “Me, him and Jacob (Parrish), we have a little bet going every week with interceptions and takeaways, so he’s one-up on us right now. Things like that and challenging each other to make those plays, that’s what’s going to raise the bar.”

For Godwin, who took the blame for that Mayfield interception after practice, it was another display of just how much Morrison has grown in confidence from last year to this year.

“When you’re a rookie, everything is flying around so fast. You go from being one of the guys at your college, then you step up and now you have to figure out how to be one of the guys, also learn a complicated scheme and then feel confident to make your plays. I think he was coming off an injury, too. There was a lot of things coming at B-Mo.

“He made a great play. That was on me. I told him after the fact, that was a phenomenal play, like you broke with confidence and caught the ball in stride. That’s a pick-six because of the play that you made. On the other side, I’ve got to be better at that. And for us to be great as, we’ve got to have that kind of competition.”

The defense only continued to dominate the day from there. In 7-on-7 work, cornerback Kemon Hall tipped a Jalon Daniels pass to set up an interception by undrafted rookie inside linebacker Caden Fordham.

Then, to finish off practice, the offense and defense squared off in an 11-on-11 period down in the low red zone, working from about the 2-yard line. On the first play, Emeka Egbuka beat Benjamin Morrison inside… only for A’Shawn Robinson to get a hand up to knock down Baker Mayfield’s pass. On the second play, Mayfield couldn’t connect with Jalen McMillan in the back of the end zone, with the third-year receiver running out of room.

As the first-team offense and defense subbed off, the heat turned up as Calijah Kancey was seen jawing at Mayfield and plenty of chirping was sent McMillan’s way from the defensive players on the sideline. Josh Hayes then broke up a pass intended for Tez Johnson in the corner of the end zone when the second-team units came in, and the final play of practice was yet another incompletion forced by the defense… though there was no one there to call an obvious defensive pass interference penalty on safety Marcus Banks.

Between the splash play from Morrison, the dominance from the defense throughout and the newfound energy displayed all over the field (but coming the loudest from A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches), it was a day that belonged to the defense. If you’re the Bucs, who prioritized the defense and underwent quite the overhaul this offseason, that has to be a pretty promising development.

Bucs Continue To Put Heavy Emphasis On Special Teams Work

Anyone who watched the Bucs in 2025 knows that special teams play was a significant problem. That’s why it was no surprise when special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was fired after the season, and it’s why the addition of former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith has reenergized that aspect of Tampa Bay’s game already.

Although Smith is 72 years old, his voice is one of the loudest on the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center. And his voice could be heard a whole lot on Tuesday when the Bucs spent far more time on special teams than they did during last Tuesday’s practice that was open to the media.

In fact, they spent a good 8-10 minutes more on special teams this Tuesday than they did last Tuesday.

One interesting change to the Bucs’ special teams periods was the absence of a JUGS machine. Instead, it was strictly live punting from undrafted rookie Aidan Laros. Veteran punter Riley Dixon watched on, as did kicker Chase McLaughlin. The special teams work more heavily featured Laros’ leg, instruction from Danny Smith and some drills done to practice downing bouncing punts inside the 5-yard line.

Also of note was the rotation of players catching punts throughout these periods. Kam Johnson, Tez Johnson and Garrett Greene were all (predictably) back as returners, while Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan were back there as well watching on. Eric Rivers Jr., who was not participating in practice due to injury, also watched closely, while undrafted rookie running back Kadarius Calloway got some return reps in as well.

Other Observations And Takeaways From Tuesday’s OTA Practice

Here are some quick-hitting observations and takeaways from the action at One Buc Place on Tuesday:

• The defense didn’t win every rep during Tuesday’s practice – just most of them. Still, there was a lot to like from Kenny Gainwell, especially in the screen game. His ability to catch the football out of the backfield and also line up in the slot should give offensive coordinator Zac Robinson some intriguing options this year, especially in the Pony packages.
• Backup quarterback Jake Browning seemed to have a well-established rapport with wide receiver Kam Johnson, with the two linking up on back-to-back plays once the second-team units took the field for 11-on-11s.
• During 7-on-7s, it was rookie Rueben Bain Jr. and second-year pro David Walker getting reps rather than veterans like Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson. It was a chance for Bain and Walker to get some work in with their drops, something the veterans obviously have plenty of experience with.

• Cade Otton had a nice catch and run on a screen pass during the 11-on-11 period, while rookie tight end Bauer Sharp later caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone from Jake Browning.
• Third-year tight end Devin Culp left practice early with a trainer and later returned as a spectator, sporting a sleeve on his left leg.
• Luke Goedeke and Yaya Diaby were both participating in practice after both were absent last Tuesday.
• Rookie defensive back Keionte Scott, who had offseason wrist surgery and showed up to rookie mini-camp in a cast, was able to participate in his first practice Tuesday.

The Bucs have two more practices this week that are closed to the media. Next Tuesday’s practice is the final one open to the media, then the team will wrap up OTAs Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Then, mandatory mini-camp follows from June 16-18.