Meet The Real Cecil Shorts
November 20th, 2016Veteran wide receiver Cecil Shorts won’t find himself on many fantasy football teams next Sunday, but Bucs fans will be talking all week about his dramatic arrival from planet Kenny Bell.
Yes, planet Kenny Bell is where overhyped Bucs wide receivers live out there final days in obscurity.
Against the mighty Chiefs today at Arrowhead Stadium, Shorts emerged from the shadows with five catches for 62 yards in his role as the No. 2 receiver.
Shorts had just four catches all season entering today’s action. And some of those were in garbage time.
In short, Shorts had been awful, now what the Bucs expected when they signed the veteran just before opening day after the Texans cut him loose. Shorts, 28, entered this season with nearly 220 catches and strong seasons under his belt.
So today, in the victorious Buccaneers locker room, Joe asked Shorts if what he showed today was the real Cecil Shorts.
Shorts laughed hard and said he wouldn’t say that. But then Joe asked again if Bucs fans should believe Shorts can contribute like this consistently, or whether today was something special.
Shorts broke down and said Bucs fans saw what he has too offer.
“Yeah, this is the usual I guess you could say,” Shorts said. “It just takes a while for a new guy to come in and get timing with a quarterback and comfortable with the system — and get comfortable with everything, earn respect and earn trust. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to be here, honestly.”
Man, what a huge lift it would be if Shorts can be the kind of guy he was on previous teams: threatening and catching three or four balls a game.
November 20th, 2016 at 5:58 pm
And a few inches from being inbound on a touchdown catch. Great game today Cecil! I hope to see many more from you.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:05 pm
once JOSH HUFF GETS ON THE ACTIVE ROSTER OUR OFFENSE WILL BECOME A LOT FASTER AND A BIG ISSUE FOR DEFENSE
November 20th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Big catches from multiple receivers won this game. They all stepped up. Way to go Bucs!
November 20th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
How about Shepard?……He has become a very reliable receiver also.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:42 pm
When he was moved up last year on the Texans when their 2nd guy went down, used Cecil in daily fantasy. He can play.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Poor Kenny Bell.
Wait Kenny Bell’s a Baltimore Raven now.
True story.
November 20th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Cecil “took it in the” Shorts had a pretty good game.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
It’s easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you’ve got stock market beat. But the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, when his SHORTS are too tight in the seat.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
I’m proud of you Cecil, you came through in the clutch.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
I’m going to start to call Shorts, or anyone else succeeding in that position, “the pressure release”. Just look at what this team is capable of with a competent #2 Wr. Hopefully soon we will get Jacquizz Rodgers back and the running backs will also have depth for days. The future is looking bright again and all of a sudden.
November 20th, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Him and Sheppard and Humphries and Brate are all getting better and better. More in tune with JW. Just wish they had a speedster to put over the top opposite ME sometimes
November 20th, 2016 at 9:15 pm
Cecil and Shep…winners all the way..playing with such passion..and wait till Huff can play, just wait..the speed demon will have a chip on his shoulder, actually a boulder on his shoulder..now that sounds like a Manfred Mann song, another South African..
November 21st, 2016 at 1:22 am
Was pretty excited to see him get in the mix today. I had high hopes… The injury im sure made things difficult for shorts
November 21st, 2016 at 7:22 am
I thought Shorts made some nice catches yesterday, too. Not that it counts, but that one in the end zone where he was out of bounds was a tough catch.