“I’ll Remember That For A While”
December 7th, 2016
Inspiring
Much has been driving the Bucs these days, but not all of it will be a lasting force.
Ali Marpet says he will get long-term inspiration from injured wide receiver Cecil Shorts.
Shorts’ knee was drilled with a direct hit against the Chargers, and doctors quickly determined and his leg needed the dreaded full-leg cast.
Ugly stuff.
FOX TV cameras didn’t offer much of a close-up view, but what Ali Marpet saw, combined with Shorts’ reaction, was unforgettable.
“Let me just say how frick’n tough he is,” Marpet said on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night. “Like, it was not a pretty injury. That was one of the more disgusting things that I’ve seen on the football field when his knee was looking that. But when he was up getting carted off telling us to keep fighting and to fight for him, that was awesome. I’ll remember that for a while. … Tough dude. Tough dude.”
Donovan Smith also shared that Shorts is one of those rare guys at One Buc Palace who seems to take a genuine personal interest in every teammate.
Sad times for Shorts, 28, whose career is likely over, based on unconfirmed reports of the seriousness of his injury.
Shorts was depth for Vincent Jackson, who also is done for the year. Adam Humphries is in the concussion protocol.
Now the Bucs are turning to the likes of Freddie Martino, Russell Shepard and, fresh from the practice squad, Josh Huff. Maybe misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteea Dye will get a shot.
Joe hopes those guys can all channel motivational energy from Huff, just like Marpet did.
December 7th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
damn.it seemed like he and jameis were starting to connect….hope huff has been putting in the extra time in the class room and after practice….GO BUCS!!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Bad news is we’re short handed for the year.. And you have to feel awful for Cecil. But there is no doubt that Jason addresses the WR/TE/OFF Weapons in multiple ways this offseason. Jameis will explode next season in year 3 of the offense with the luxury of weapons that he just doesn’t have.
December 7th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Huff has speed going for him. He is a legit speedster. If the Bucs can get him the ball in space he can be useful…
December 7th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
The defensive player who delivered this likely career ending hit said that he did it intentionally. Not intentionally trying to hurt Shorts, but intentionally going way low with the tackle to make sure he wasn’t going to get anymore fines by the league for hits to the head – many of which happen inadvertently or when the runner/receiver lowers his head just before contact.
The league is contributing greatly to more hits that take out players knees with their over the top emphasis on – NO hits to the head – and the large fines that result from even inadvertent head contact.
Not sure what the answer is because the league is certainly not going to decrease their emphasis on no head hits. But I think most every player you ask would say immediately that they would rather take their chances with high hits than low ones….
December 7th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Cecil Shorts literally took one for the team!!! I can’t believe he held onto the ball after that hit….I believe he inspired many and helped us win. The very best to you Cecil….we appreciate you.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
agree 100% pickgrin. Seems like a lot of people knew this would be the effect of the rules regarding hits to the head.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Well said TBBF. It was amazing that he was able to hold onto the ball after that hit obliterated his knee.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Man, lots of offensive weapons injured or gone. V jax, Murphy, shorts, hump, asj (good riddance) James, martin, sims, quiz all missed time. Lots of talent there, and to just off the top of my head.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
The man’s MCL, ACL and PCL were torn.
What exactly was holding the top of the leg to the bottom of the leg?
December 7th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Wow Mojiska – I hadn’t really thought about it on that level until I saw all those names in 1 sentence. That is a lot of fire-power that has been unavailable to Jameis this season. And yet he has still found a way to look like a stellar QB in most games this year….
December 7th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
“What exactly was holding the top of the leg to the bottom of the leg?”
skin, a few tendons and the soft cast
December 7th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
@Cannon…..his skin.
I wish him the best.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Get well Mr. Short. I wanna see those same afterburners you displayed against the Buccs when you smoked our entire defense on that catch and run for TD in philly last season. I think this Huff may be welcomed late season addition to this offense. Kid has a 98 and 107 yard kickoff return on his resume.
December 7th, 2016 at 1:50 pm
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Cecil. We appreciate you and hope to see you in pewter and red next year!!
December 7th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
He took one in the shorts!!!
Too soon? 😉
December 7th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
^^ He’s done. You don’t recover from that injury. Dislocation plus tearing all 3 major ligaments? Has any NFL player ever come back from that? Doubtful. I’m curious to know of any examples.
December 7th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
^Exactly. Sad to say, but that will be the end of his career in all likelyhood.
The only ligament he didn’t tear was his LCL. Brutal.
December 7th, 2016 at 2:53 pm
I’m sure he’d love to be in the concussion protocol right now…Will Smith be damned!!!
December 7th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
I’m just amazed at how we have been about to plug in all these different guys at a moments notice and still play at a high level and win games…..they say that a great leader makes the guys around him better. I guess this is living proof.
GO BUCS!!!
Damn it feels good to finally be watching meaningful football in December!!!
#Speaksoftly
#Carryabigmut#@f#ckingstick
December 7th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
The hit was brutal and the way he landed on his head I thought it was for sure a neck injury. To know he broke his leg as well defintely tells you he probably saved the best catch of his career for the possible end. Hes a tough dude no doubt. Now comes Josh Huff next man up. Check out his highlight real with the Eagles the guy definitely has the “it” factor. The Eagles were forced to cut him they didnt want to this guy can ball.
December 7th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
The defensive player who delivered this likely career ending hit said that he did it intentionally. Not intentionally trying to hurt Shorts, but intentionally going way low with the tackle to make sure he wasn’t going to get anymore fines by the league for hits to the head – many of which happen inadvertently or when the runner/receiver lowers his head just before contact.
This is exactly what Brandon Mariweather was talking about years ago when he got all that slander for his interview about having to go low on players now
When making the tackle. Most players would rather you take their freaking head off but just dont mess with the knees. I just hope that this rule doesn’t end more careers.
December 7th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
And to think, the NFL banned the head shots to make the game “more safe”. Yet more careers are ending due to knee injuries than head injuries. If they want it to be “more safe” stop playing football. Football is a dangerous sport and can lead to life altering injuries and even death. You take the risk when you put on the helmet. If you want to be safe, do like others have done and retire. That is the only way to be safe.
Goodell has good intentions. I don’t hate the guy, he does have a tough job. But what he is doing to the game is atrocious. He got backed into a corner due to the concussion law suit. The NFLPA was calling for more preventive measures to protect their players. Something had to be done. But I don’t think he had to take away the integrity of the game to please everyone.
December 7th, 2016 at 7:54 pm
Cecil shorts gave me a high five at the end of the bucs falcons game, my first and only live bucs home game (I live in ny) lame story but I felt terrible for him the second I saw that hit. If he was a better receiver I would say he might try and come back but to be honest his career is on the downturn why rebuild your knee be out of football for a year only to come back as a 30 year old slow hurt receiver that wasn’t really that good to begin with. Cecil you go down as one cool dude and it was an honor to have you take the field for our team.
December 7th, 2016 at 8:39 pm
Best of luck to Cecil, his wife and their adorable children. Only he will know if he can try to make a come back. I hope he does because he deserves it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
December 7th, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Knock on wood it’s not career ending.
That being said, I really like Russell Shepard as a secondary receiver; guy just has an athletic knack. The play he made in San Diego on the TD he caught that didn’t count (for stepping out of bounds) was very impressive.
December 7th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Trubucfan22, so far, no players are suing the NFL for a bazillion dollars after their playing days are over for bad knees. They are, however, doing so for concussions.
December 8th, 2016 at 4:29 am
That hit was EVIL.
He did not need to hit him that hard that low.
I thought it was a really dirty tackle.
How can you destroy a mans career like that?
Frickin barbarian if you ask me.