Will we see this scene again?
Joe is not trying to be mean; it’s just reality in the NFL.
“Your best ability is your availability.”
The old Bill Parcells quote is as true now as it was back when Parcells ran the Giants. A guy could be the next Jim Brown but if he can’t get out of the tub, he can’t help his team.
That’s where Joe is at with Jamel Dean. Last year Joe gave up on Dean because he was always hurt. “This Joe” still thinks Dean is a solid if not good corner. No Pro Bowler, but he gets the job done.
When he’s on the field.
In the Bucs’ last four playoff games, Dean has not been on the field in the fourth quarter, either because he wasn’t playing or he couldn’t finish the game because of an injury.
If you can’t help your team out in its most important games, what’s the point? That’s why Joe threw in the towel on Dean this past offseason. Not because of his ability, but his lack of availability.
So today, Dean gets hurt (again). He was having a strong season. Getting hurt in Week 4 is about on schedule for Dean. Last year, he first got hurt in Week 6.
So Joe is going to guess one of the rookies, Jacob Parrish or Benjamin Morrison will get the start for the Bucs next week in Seattle, though Morrison messed up a hamstring in the fourth quarter and his status is uncertain.
Parrish has played great as a slot corner and Bucs coach Todd Bowles has mentioned more than once that Parrish can play outside corner.
Morrison is getting his feet wet in the NFL as most of training camp he was hurt. He played well today, replacing Dean with three solo tackles and a pass defensed, but he left the game with a hamstring injury.
Whichever rookie replaces Dean, if he plays well, it could be a true changing of the guard at corner.