Ted Mullins
Footballguy
Good stuff, thanks for that. I had him in all of my leagues last year and it was a bust even at a relatively cheap price.
Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts knows what this season means to him financially.
The team’s fourth-round pick in 2011 is entering the final season of his original four-year, $2.6 million contract.
With a career season, Shorts could be looking at a major pay increase in 2015. There are more than 50 receivers in the league making more this season than Shorts’ entire rookie deal.
Shorts realizes the stakes.
“You’d be set for life,” Shorts said. “You’re going to think about it honestly, with it being a contract year. But you’ve got to focus on playing hard and getting better. Being a servant to my teammates and coaches.”
Shorts shined in his second season in 2012, catching 55 passes for 979 yards and seven touchdowns.
However, last season he received more attention from opposing defenses and his numbers dropped.
Shorts managed 66 catches for 777 yards and three scores, finishing with one 100-yard game compared with four the previous season. He was hampered by spotty quarterback play and the offensive line had difficulty pass protecting for much of the season.
Shorts is counting on the stability of coach Gus Bradley and offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch being back to help. It’s the first time Shorts has not gone through a coaching change as a member of the Jaguars and that comfort level has minimized his anxiety over his future financial situation.
“With this being my fourth year, this is the most relaxed I’ve been,” Shorts said. “Being under the same coaching staff for the first time, I’m very confident this will be a good year for the team and for myself. We trust in the process. We believe in the leadership. We understand each other already. We communicate better on and off the field, so it’s exciting.”
Shorts also understands the first step toward landing a lucrative deal. He has to stay healthy. Shorts has missed 11 games in three seasons combined, being inactive for at least two games each season.
Shorts had two hamstring injuries as a rookie that cost him six total games. In 2012, Shorts missed the final two games with a concussion. Shorts was unavailable for the final three games last season with a groin injury that required surgery.
“The biggest thing for me when it comes to [a new deal] is remaining healthy and being durable for a season,” Shorts said. “Being able to show my talents consistently throughout the year.”
Shorts still isn’t at full strength from the surgery, but expects to be soon.
“I’m on the right path where I’m able to run without any pain,” Shorts said. “I still have some work to do and I’m not 100 percent yet, but I’m looking to get there soon. Now, I have to get my strength back and confidence back.”
Bradley is encouraged by what he’s seen from Shorts as the team began its offseason program this week.
“His rehab has gone very well,” Bradley said. “He’s leaner and he’s in great shape.
“Cecil and I just had a conversation in the locker room about his mind-set. He’s always been really focused, so I don’t want to say that’s different this year. It just seems that it’s even more keener and even more directed. He really wants to do everything he can to be his best. It’s a good vibe from him.”
Shorts has seen the Jaguars reward players. Defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal prior to last season. After turning in a stellar first 15 games of last season, the Jaguars signed Marks to a four-year, $18 million contract with $4.8 million guaranteed prior to the regular-season finale.
The Jaguars will have perhaps as much salary-cap space as any team in the league entering next offseason. Shorts just has to prove his worth.
“I do believe that if you play to your potential and you fall in line with the culture of getting better and competing, they will reward you,” Shorts said. “It’s been proven with Sen’Derrick. He came in on a prove-it deal. He played his butt off, bought into the culture and he got paid. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Good find, Faust. Shorts is a guy that I've never quite been able to form a strong opinion about. ADP/auction price will play a big role in this, but personally he doesn't generate much interest due to several factors:
[SIZE=12pt]3. Shorts' weakest attribute, and the one that will keep him from being a great receiver, are his hands.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Despite showing off the ability to win physical battles, Shorts had a troubling number of drops last year. He had nine according to our game charting project. And that doesn't include about ten defensed passes that some would call catchable. (We just give credit to the defenders on these, but that doesn't mean that the balls weren't there on Shorts' person.)[/SIZE]
The Jags have had "general" contract discussions with Cecil Shorts, who is going into the final year of his rookie deal.
"Obviously, we want him here for the long haul," GM David Caldwell said. "He's a valuable part of our organization and we'd love to at some point in time take care of Cecil." Shorts is the Jags' clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but is coming off an injury-marred 2013, and has two high draft picks to contend with in the receiver corps. It's unlikely either side is in a rush to get a deal done.
Source: Florida Times Union
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts is expected to miss "several weeks" with a hamstring strain.
The injury forced Shorts from practice on Friday. Injuries have become a bugaboo for Shorts, who missed most of OTAs and all of minicamp with a hamstring injury and has been limited by injuries each of the last two seasons. Shorts should be ready for the start of the season, but it is hard to be confident he will play a full 16 in 2014.
Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter
Jul 26 - 12:43 PM
Cecil Shorts (hamstring) ran at 100 percent in a straight line this week, and feels he is "ahead of schedule."
Shorts has been sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain since July 25. This hamstring injury is just the latest in a long line of soft-tissue maladies that have plagued Shorts over the last year. He should be healthy to start the season, but it is fair to question if he will stay that way. Shorts is currently being drafted in the eleventh round.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran on Twitter
Aug 9 - 11:28 AM
I can't recall an NFL team that been forced to start 3 rookie WRs in a game. Trial by fire for the Jags rookies.SengerCJ said:Sooo, I guess the Jaguars WR corpse is made up of rookies and one 2nd year player. Glad I picked up the eagles defense.
Bump all of the rookies, and Lewis.Bump LeeOU#1 said:Bump Hurns?
I'm starting him in a 32-teamer but wouldn't in most formats.Sounds like Cecil is going to finally start this week. Anyone else brave enough to roll him out? I play in a large lineup league where I'm plugging him in over less healthy options (Streater, DeAngelo, and Clay). Good luck guys.
Yeah. This league starts a total of 9 RB/WR/TEs. Any warm body is useful.I'm starting him in a 32-teamer but wouldn't in most formats.Sounds like Cecil is going to finally start this week. Anyone else brave enough to roll him out? I play in a large lineup league where I'm plugging him in over less healthy options (Streater, DeAngelo, and Clay). Good luck guys.
+1Started him with confidence in all nine leagues where I own him.
Because since becoming a starter in Week 6 2012, Shorts has played 22 games where he finished the game (he left three early). In those 22 games he has 228 targets. That's 10.4/game. And he's put up 15.5ppg in ppr leagues over the same set of games.
He's the undisputed #1 WR in JAX, and they throw to him a lot. On a better team he's Randall Cobb or Antonio Brown.
Didn't see the game, was he actually on his way to the endzone when the fumble occurred?If he scores on that late play instead of the fumble he'd be this week's waiver darling with Holmes.
I noticed that. I ended up picking him up (shocked he got dropped before last week). Starting him with confidence.+1Started him with confidence in all nine leagues where I own him.
Because since becoming a starter in Week 6 2012, Shorts has played 22 games where he finished the game (he left three early). In those 22 games he has 228 targets. That's 10.4/game. And he's put up 15.5ppg in ppr leagues over the same set of games.
He's the undisputed #1 WR in JAX, and they throw to him a lot. On a better team he's Randall Cobb or Antonio Brown.
If he scores on that late play instead of the fumble he'd be this week's waiver darling with Holmes.
The way he's come through the hammy is quick but seems to be the right way (take a week off, then practice fully, then play). If he was receiving any medical treatment he should be on the injury report, which he's not.
Dodd was high on him to start the week and now he's given into consensus.
Next week when everybody's talking about how obviously great he is just remember that except for Pro Foootball Focus the whole industry is missing the signs right now.
Garcon and Stevie Johnson are about what I'd have guessed.http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400642/hays-carlyon/2014-10-15/what-jaguars-wr-cecil-shorts-worth-try-4-year-378
Short article talking about what Cecil Shorts will be worth in free agency this offseason. His value could sky rocket if he goes somewhere WR friendly. Anybody have any possible destinations? NO or NE would be nice.
In PPR that's quite a steal if he's healthy.Milkman said:Can't believe I got him with the #7 WW claim. I watched the game and in the second half Bortles seemed to look Shorts way first almost every play. WR2 if he stays healthy. That's a big if though.
FYI Haden isnt a shut down cornerDamncarverlee said:Draws Haden this week I'm sure.
Wasn't he the X receiver during his nice run in 2012? Does this change expectations? More targets but more short routes maybe?In PPR that's quite a steal if he's healthy. The Z spot in that offense is heavily targeted with high% routes. (It's seen 10 or more targets 4 of 6 games this year. 1 game that it wasn't was the Wash game that Henne was sacked 10 times. The 2nd was the SD game where Shorts (4 targets) left game in early 3rd quarter. Hasn't matter who has started at the spot -- Lee (10 Week 1), Robinson (10 Week 5) or Shorts (10 Week 3, 16 Week 6) -- they've seen boatload of targets.Milkman said:Can't believe I got him with the #7 WW claim. I watched the game and in the second half Bortles seemed to look Shorts way first almost every play. WR2 if he stays healthy. That's a big if though.
Unless someone thinks they'll be able to successfully run the ball (lol), Bortles is going to continue to chuck the ball. (He's just shy of 40 pass attempts/game as starter -- which would rank in the Top 5 in NFL).
Cecil Shorts - WR - Jaguars
Cecil Shorts met with a rapid-recovery specialist in Minnesota ahead of Week 6 to cure his balky hamstring.
Shorts has battled three separate hamstring injuries since the start of training camp, forcing him to miss three of the Jaguars' first six games. He flew to Minnesota last week to meet with Josh Sandell to receive five-hour treatments Monday and Tuesday before Wednesday's practice. This week, Shorts wasn't even on the injury report. He's as healthy as he's been in months, and is firmly on the WR3 radar as the target-dominator in Jacksonville's passing game.
Source: Florida Times Union
Oct 19 - 8:11 AM