Cecil Shorts Talks Recovery, Jameis
July 9th, 2017
The 2016 weapons-for-Winston effort consisted of Tampa Bay signing receiver Cecil Shorts and Jacquizz Rodgers in September.
Thankfully, things changed in 2017.
Nothing was wrong with adding Shorts and Rodgers, but they don’t compare to this year’s big-gun additions of DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard.
Shorts blew a hamstring on his first Bucs catch, a short toss during the Week 2 humiliation of Tampa Bay at Arizona. He recovered and actually hauled in five balls for 62 yards in Tampa Bay’s big November win in Kansas City. But that was it for Shorts. Two weeks later he endured a horrific knee injury against San Diego.
Players on the Bucs and chargers huddled around Shorts and he was carted off. Reports of the damage were brutal.
Last week, Shorts, 30, appeared on sports radio 92.5 FM in Jacksonville and explained he still has one more knee knee surgery coming in August to complete his recovery. A 2018 comeback is possible, he said, but retirement is likely.
Right after Shorts’ radio interview, an interesting Tweet came from the radio station — interesting because it wasn’t part of the podcast of Shorts’ appearance. The veteran former Jags receiver and noted straight shooter, who once won a communication award from Jaguars media, praised America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
"The first thing that stands out about Jameis? He is a leader. When he talks, people listen. He's incredible," @CecilShortsIII on @Jaboowins
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) July 7, 2017
Joe’s not surprised by Shorts’ take on Jameis, but it still very cool to hear from a guy who shouldn’t be accused of trying to suck up to the Bucs. And it seems Shorts delivered his love for Jameis off the air.
July 9th, 2017 at 9:10 am
That hit on him was EVIL and INTENTIONAL!!
It was totally uncalled for and unnecessary!!!
That chargers safety didn’t need to go for his knees!!
He could have aimed at his chest!
July 9th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Shorts literally took one for the team……what a hit!!!
I’m hoping for a successful recovery for him as he has a lifetime left….maybe no football in his future but I wish the guy well.
Even healthy, he doesn’t make this team and that says a lot.
July 9th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Salute@CecilShorts.
July 9th, 2017 at 9:34 am
Teacherman777 o totally agree with 1000%
July 9th, 2017 at 9:43 am
“He’s incredible”- Cecil Shorts. Sometimes I wish he wouldn’t have came here. Too many Gestapo @$$ members in this fanbase. If that one get me banned Joe its been real my G.. And thanks for giving the homie a voice.
July 9th, 2017 at 10:44 am
Talk about a defenseless receiver, not sure they even threw a flag. If I’m wrong, sorry but that was one of the dirtiest hits I’ve seen in years. He could have cut his midsection in half, but he went straight for his knees. Not much mention of it nationally either. If it was Edelman or the like, that DB would have been suspended.
July 9th, 2017 at 11:57 am
Do I think it was a dirty play? Yeap!! However, there are no rules related to taking out a players legs. This is a direct result of the Media over emphasizing concussions and CTE to the point the NFL is slowly and methodically destroying the game.
July 9th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Teacher
Its tough for those guys now. They know going low wont hardly ever get a fine. The concussion era has forced these guys to aim low, and rightfully so. Theres gona be more knee injuries because of it. Just a fact of the new rules. In my opinion a blown out knee beats a blown out head. N yes i know u said chest, but these guys duck at the last second. N im not defending that guy either, just saying its part of the game now. Lets hope it doesnt happen this year. Go bucs
July 9th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
R.O.
Exactly right.
July 9th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Darin I couldn’t agree more. Concussions should be taken very seriously. I’m sure most would rather deal w issues relating to injured or replaced knee, etc than not even be able to recognize their own family 15 yrs down the road. Best wishes to Cecil and his recovery and future.
July 9th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
You know..he played his heart out for the team..if he chooses to retire, I will be very thankful for the way he helped us out..
July 9th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
No question, JW is a great leader. The question is, can he become a great QB?
July 9th, 2017 at 6:41 pm
Even if he retire’s, I hope he recovers 100%. A good man.
July 9th, 2017 at 6:58 pm
Most players would tell you they would rather take the head shot than have the kind of devastating kneee innury this guy suffered. Ive heard it many times on the radio and seen in print.
July 9th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
“retirement is likely”
I figured that would be the outcome as soon as it happened. Brutal low hit.
You SUCK Goodell! Literally ruining the game of football in the span of just a few years…
Good luck with the recovery Cecil and thanks for giving it your all for the limited time you were a Buccaneer.
July 9th, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Imagine being a rookie, and getting a career ending shot to the knee (like the one Shorts took). I bet he would rather took a lump to the head. Vincent Jackson was on record saying he much prefers a hit to the head than a hit to the knee. Your head has a helmet, knees got nothing protecting them. A hit to the head and you miss a game. A hit to the knee could end your career. Hits to the knees ended the final 2 years of Vjax’s career.
While hits to the head can be devastating. The way the NFL has gone too far protecting the head and is now ending careers short because of vicious hits to the knees. The one thing any football player hates is a hit to the knees.
Clear head hunting should be banned in the NFL. But incidental helmet hits during a hit need to be fair play. We can’t change the game so far that players are ending another man’s career just avoid getting fined. That is ridiculous.
July 9th, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Well said TruBuc..
July 10th, 2017 at 3:47 am
Let’s not forget that after that terrible hit he held on to the ball. What a pro. Despite your short time as a Buccaneer you made a big impact. Good luck to you and your family and I wish you a full and pain free recovery.
July 10th, 2017 at 8:41 am
I remember when Cecil Shorts was brought in. Most around here loved the signing.
I said then, for it to be a good signing he would have to be on the field, and that would not happen.
Sure enough, I was right.
July 10th, 2017 at 8:43 am
Cecil Shorts was an injury waiting to happen.
July 10th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
^ What a strange thing to brag about Bonzai.
I was at that game. The hit was nasty. Probably career ending. Hope Shorts was wise with his money while he was an active player.