The Buccaneers' defense has had its share of problems through two games, but the early play of Benjamin Morrison and Keionte Scott has been an encouraging development. Morrison has taken advantage of an increased role after Jacob Parrish suffered a back injury in Week 1. Against Cincinnati, Morrison was targeted seven times but allowed just 34 receiving yards and an 81.8 passer rating when targeted. He also made one of the biggest defensive plays of the game, stopping a receiver short of the goal line to prevent a touchdown. The second-year corner followed that performance with seven tackles and a pass breakup against Cleveland. The pass breakup was incredibly timely as it prevented a touchdown by never giving up on the play and fighting through the receiver's
hands. Through two games, Morrison has 11 total tackles and two passes defensed. PFF has given him a 67.3 overall grade and 68.4 coverage grade, ranking 28th and 29th among qualified cornerbacks.
Scott has been just as impressive, only in a different way. The rookie has immediately become a regular part of Todd Bowles' defense, starting in the slot and playing 73 percent of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps in Week 1. He followed that with five solo tackles against Cleveland and now has nine through his first two NFL games, and his physicality has stood out the most. Scott currently owns an 82.8 PFF run defense grade, eighth among qualified cornerbacks. He has also generated three pressures, tied for the most among qualified corners, showing the versatility that made him an interesting fit for Bowles coming out of Miami.
There will still be growing pains. Morrison is only in his second season, while Scott is two games into his NFL career. Neither player is a finished product in coverage. But Tampa Bay desperately needed young defensive backs to emerge. Morrison is finally getting the opportunity to show why the Bucs used a second-round pick on him, while Scott is already looking like another versatile piece Bowles can move around the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Young corners continue to shine despite defensive struggles
