Welcome, Cecil Shorts!
September 6th, 2016
This time last year, early in opening-game week, the Buccaneers added one of their starting cornerbacks to the roster, Tim “Loaf” Jennings.
Joe apologizes for the vomit-inducing “Loaf” reference at lunchtime, but it’s a reminder that players teams consider very valuable can come at the 11th hour.
Enter recently cut Texans wide receiver Cecil Shorts. The 28-year-old caught 42 balls and two touchdowns last year for a good team with shaky quarterback play. With the Jaguars in 2014, Shorts caught started 12 games and caught 53 balls. In 2012 and 2013 in Jacksonville, he caught a combined 110 balls and 10 touchdowns.
Now this is the kind of guy Joe has been yearning for all offseason: legitimate veteran depth at receiver, what America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, deserves.
Per the Houston Chronicle, Shorts is healthy after “hamstring issues and a dislocated shoulder limited him to 11 games and four starts” last year. He had caught a whopping 22 balls in the first four games before missing time.
Props to general manager Jason Licht for pouncing like a rabid dog to get Shorts to visit Tampa. Well-regarded Adam Caplan of ESPN reports he’ll be in town soon.
If the Bucs sign Shorts, look for Joe to be smiling a little brighter at the first JoeBucsFan tailgate.
September 6th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
His Wikipedia page already says he is current with the Bucs lol. Gotta love the internet.
September 6th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Thank god. Now hopefully y’all will stop lamenting over WR dept everyday.
September 6th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Why, Why, Forrest Gump Licht
why couldnt we just sign Anquan Boldin and Devin Hester few weeks back
these 2 vets would have given us 2 extra wins but now we are left with huge holes
risk vs reward
Run Forrest Run (away from Tampa Bay)
September 6th, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Should’ve signed Anquan, but this is light years better than White is or Murphy ever was.
September 6th, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Can he return kicks ?
September 6th, 2016 at 12:57 pm
Said the 2 weeks ago on here and this weekend
September 6th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Kobe Faker
are you just stupid or what… Hester at WR really every coordinator in the league has had a chance to make him a WR and has failed. One of the greatest return man of all time but he is not a WR at all. Boldin would have been nice but he clearly had no interest in tampa
September 6th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
I’ll take it. The Bucs could use a guy like Shorts for experienced receiver depth on the roster. I hope a deal can get done today.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Tmax, yes Kobe is THAT stupid!
September 6th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
*this
September 6th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Boldin retires after this year. He hasn’t produced much in recent years. Hester is a worse received than Afro thunder and if it were for his return skills he would have been the guy at sizzler updating the sign outside letting us know about the new specials and milk shake flavors
September 6th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
This guy at least can play for a few years. Askin him to be our 4 and he gives us a pretty solid option at that spot.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
What was Kobe Faker’s posting name before this?
September 6th, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Yes depth! He can at least be a good back up on he outside!
September 6th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
It takes two to tango! Boldin didn’t WANT to come here and, as tmax said, Hester has never really been a legitimate receiving threat.
Shorts is the perfect option. I would have no issue with this signing.
For you tmax: Shorts>Murphy ALL DAY LONG!!!
September 6th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Guy is definitely talented but maybe needs a new start after battling injuries the last few years. He was jvilles best receiver b4 at one point like 3-4 years ago and is only 28
September 6th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Shorts will be a perfect signing. He is far better than any other WR we have not named Evans or Jackson.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
There’s our 2nd slot receiver.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Solid pick up… Will take him a while to develop chemistry. Personally, I would lil to see someone besides Humphries return punts. He’s become too valuble to the offense to risk injury on special teams. Not sure if Shorts has experience in this area, but that would be a plus.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Hester is to return kicks only
*just like he is going to do in Baltimore
Lets keep humphries at the wr position and not injured running returns back
September 6th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
add in jeremy butler and this corp looks a lot better now
September 6th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Kobe Faker Says:
September 6th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Hester is to return kicks only
The league is doing everything it can to eliminate the kickoff return. game is changing wasting a roster spot on a specific KR specialist makes very little sense. rosters and teams have to adapt to the new rules keeping a dedicated KR no longer makes sense at all. KR is least of the bucs worries
September 6th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
I’m saddened I’m not ashamed to say I don’t know much about Short. Lord knows I wish I did,I would love to have something for 50 to cut and paste real quick.😔
September 6th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Get Jeremy Butler on the active roster
September 6th, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Whats all this hate toward me?
*My posting mentors warned me about the jealousy feedback i will face when i reach this level of knowledge
September 6th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Sign him!!!!!
September 6th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
This is a far better option than trying to sign Roddy White.
September 6th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Great news. Don’t stop now.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Lol faker☺
September 6th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
I must be in the minority.
I feel that if Hump is the better returner, let him be out there and return punts. I hate the argument “oh, he’s too valuable to be the punt returner”. I thought the goal was to put the best possible players on the field at all times?
Arguably, the best WR in the NFL right now still handles punt return duties, even if not full time, but most of the time. If you truly feel that Hump can be a play maker at the PR position, let him do it.
Mike Evans
Vincent Jackson
Cecil Shorts
Jeremy Butler
Adam Humphries
Russel Shephard
I think i feel comfortable rolling with that crew for the regular season. Could it be better? Of course. But I feel that is better than what we had during the offseason.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Great News, I hope they sign CShorts!!! Now who knows of a decent linebacker for depth. Did Luke sign somewhere? Why did we let him go and not bring him back on PS? After re-watching the preseason games I noticed he did make a lot of tackles but majority of them down field 5,6,10 yards. Smitty likes his MLB’s aggressive and attacking the hole, and maybe not versatile enough? Who knows? Can’t wait to take down ATL in week 1.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Might have missed it, but who did the Bucs cut to make room for Cecil Shorts? I’d assume that it’d be Evan Spencer but you never know. And if that’s the case, did Spencer get added to our PS?
September 6th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
@Defense,
I don’t think he’s been signed yet. He’s just coming in for a visit, from what i’ve read.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Hey Faker, we all love ya, man. It’s your inane posts we hate.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:28 pm
He still have 4 more teams to visit, the Bucs were his first team to visit.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Better than getting White or some old creaky option
September 6th, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Cecil Shorts is a proven guy in the NFL, he gets at least 40-50 catches a season. He will fill a big need in our offense as the #4 receiver. Please sign him, does any one actually trust Louis Murphy as a #4? I trust him as a #5 only to make a few catches as role player but not as an everydown guy, Russel Shepherd can fill this role too.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Hey Nole/BucinJax
We need this game bro…nervous nelly here
I know its the first game of the season and only 1 game but…
If Koetter gets this first game under him, it will really relief some pressure from all the naysayers and give somewhat confirmation to those on the fence
We get this first win…Everyone will be on the same boat,.. heading toward the playoffs (hopefully)
September 6th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Great #4 and can spell VJ or replace if VJ is injured. Way better than Shepard subbing in
September 6th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
@Kobe
What’s your previous posting name before Kobe Faker?
September 6th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
I wanted Dexter McCluster, but I’d gladly have Cecil Shorts instead
September 6th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Folks talking about Murphy playing a legitimate role are out of your minds. He was a decent #3 when he was in great football shape and had gone through a training camp with the team. Dude has been on full on recovery mode for a year and hasn’t practiced at all. I would be happy to see him come in at the midway point and be a weapon that we can incorporate, but he’s a wash for the first half of the season, at least.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Man when I first read this I thought we had signed him already. I always had a problem with reading directions ha. Jason needs to make sure he does not leave Tampa without a deal.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Seriously misleading article title. The title implies he signed. He hasnt.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
C Shorts III. He knows Koetter from JAX. That’d be a great signing.
September 6th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Great signing, now we can move on to the depth crisis.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Looks like our GM does listen to my suggestions here on JBF.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
OMFG there gose that dept word again😡!!!. Just playing. But Kobe we’re in total agreement bro, we’ll come out beat the breaks off atlanta and everyone will be all exited and spit and hearts will begin to be won over at that time. Watch!
September 6th, 2016 at 3:42 pm
People spooked because of what happened opening day under the last administration. But the last administration has nothing do with current one. I’d come here Sunday afternoon and publicly apologize to the whole jbf if we came out and look anything remotely like we did last season. Opening day.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
He is a Koetter guy. Played for him in Jacksonville.
He won’t be returning kicks. He’s got 4.59 speed.
He can be a good signing…IF he stays healthy…which is next to impossible. Starting his 6th year in the league…and he has NEVER HAD A HEALTHY SEASON!
Jason Licht takes too many risks with injury prone players.
If not for the injury issue, he would be an okay signing.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Kobe Faker Says
“Hester is to return kicks only…”
Actually, he hasn’t even been good at that the last few years.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Jeremy Butler is listed as a Buccaneer on Rotoworld.
September 6th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
DID ANY1 SEE JW3 HALFTIME SPEECH LAST NIGHT.
“THIS FLORIDA STATE! WE SUM DOGS, WE AIN’T NO PUPPIES”
That’s our qb guys, THANK GOD
September 6th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
@Buccaneer…
He’s on the PS, though. So, yes, he’s a member, but not on the active roster (yet).
September 6th, 2016 at 4:05 pm
@celly
Yeah…I just learned that.
He should be on the 53. He had 363 yards in 8 games last year after being among the cuts. If he had played 16 games, he may have reached 726 yards or more. THAT’s the kind of WR we need on this team. Not some injury prone guy that can’t break 500 yards.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:07 pm
I’m willing to bet money that he’ll be on the active roster either by the BYE week, or sooner, if someone else tries to sign him from OUR practice squad.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:21 pm
Can we sign him if he gets another offer?
September 6th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
IIRC, we get the opportunity to match the offer.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Good signing!
September 6th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
@bozai… he is a free agent, so its his choice where he signs
@another j… he hasn’t signed yet.
@everyone… who do we cut if we sign him?
September 6th, 2016 at 4:40 pm
That boy Jameis rallied the troops again last night! Which I already knew he would
September 6th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Jeremy Butler is on our practice squad, another team can sign him to their active roster at any given time. We need to add him to our active roster, like the Falcons did when they picked up Taylor Gabriel. they cut Nick Williams to make room for him on the active roster.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:45 pm
This is great! He can be our third most productive reciever right away. He is talented and is proven in this league. I love it. The perfect pick up. now we have 2 stars, and 2 decent back ups. Lets go ahead and sign a fifth WR…. You all know we need it.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
If he is coming to town, he is coming to sign his contract. No doubt about that one. The bucs wouldnt waste their time to just kick the tires, they will do everything they can to keep him here and play week 1 for us.
September 6th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
“I don’t want to play in front of Kobe Faker” –Devin Hester 🙂
September 6th, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Looks like he agreed to terms to sign with us.
September 6th, 2016 at 5:31 pm
He’s a good deep threat speedster but he has trouble staying on the field
September 6th, 2016 at 5:37 pm
In related news, Jeremy Butler being cut by the Ravens called a “Huge Mistake” on a Baltimore Editorial. It seems he balled-out in the pre-season.
http://ebonybird.com/2016/09/03/baltimore-ravens-make-huge-mistake-cutting-jeremy-butler/
September 6th, 2016 at 8:08 pm
@BringBucsBack
Ravens offered him a practice squad spot, but he also got an offer from the Bucs and figured he would have a better opportunity in Tampa because the Ravens are stacked at WR.
I have no clue why Licht did not ad him to the active roster. With the injuries we see on this team at WR, we should have carried 6 WRs.
Dan Vitale should be placed on the practice squad.
September 6th, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Okay, you people need to get your facts straight. Cecil Shorts is NOT a deep threat.
He only has one catch in his career that was over 40 yards. Why? Because he isn’t fast enough to get down there. He’s slow. He does NOT return kicks or punts for TDs. In fact, on 9 punt return attempts, he only averaged 7.8 yards per attempt last year. That’s horrible.
This is not a good signing. I think you all wanted a WR so badly (including Joe) that you are suffering from premature celebration syndrome.
Cecil Shorts has missed an average of 3.8 games per season since his career started…almost 4 games a year on the average. Point to his “healed” up injuries from last year…and I’ll point to all the games he;s missed due to injury on every other year.
Cecil Shorts only has 4.59 speed…almost 4.6. NOT a deep threat. Not a speed guy.
Cecil Shorts fumbles the ball.
Sorry to rain on everyone’s happy parade, but Cecil Shorts is not the answer. And to those who say “He’s better than the guy he replaced!” Yes, that is true…but the guy he replaced was a rookie and healthy. For all we know, he could have been very, very good this year.
Rather than ending up on IR, like Cecil Shorts will do.
Don’t believe me? Then why did Licht only sign a one year deal with him? Because he doesn’t trust Cecil to stay healthy.
September 6th, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Calm down Bonzai…there’s always Kenny Bell…oh wait.