These Guys Are Going To Try To Fill The Jackson Void

by Douglas O'Connor
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     The Buccaneers announced that 12 year veteran, Vincent Jackson, has been moved to injured reserve with an ACL injury. Tampa has very little experienced depth at wide receiver but someone has to step up and try to fill Jackson's shoes. Below is a little background on the top 3 candidates that are going to give it a try.

The Vet
     Cecil Shorts III played in Jacksonville during his first 4 years in the league. After spending a year in Houston, Tampa signed Shorts to the 53 man roster on September 6th. Cecil was active for 2 games and had 1 catch before he pulled his hamstring and was inactive for the next 3 weeks. Shorts returned to practice couldn't come at a better time. He returned to practice the same day Jackson was placed on IR. Cecil has 219 rec for 2,839 yds and 14 tds for his career and has the most experience by far of any of the other receivers. See what he said about his progress HERE.

The Specialist
     Russell Shepard has been with the Bucs since 2013. A jack of all trades while at LSU, Shepard lined up at QB, RB, and WR. Unable to find a role thus far in the Buccaneers offense, 10 catches in 4 years. Shepard has made his mark as being a standout special teams player. Wide Receivers Coach Todd Monken told the media that filling Jackson role will be done by committee. Suggesting that Russell will get to see the field more. Watch Monken's press conference HERE.

The Speedster 
     Donteea Dye has bounced between the Buccaneers practice squad and the 53 man roster since the start of last season. Dye did manage to be active for 10 games last year and see enough of the field to record 11 catches. Dye's big contribution may come on kickoff returns. Where he can use his 4.3 speed most effectively.

    Give the staffers a follow @realbucstalk and as always thanks for reading. Go Bucs!

Reinforcements on The Way!

The Bucs have struggled with injuries so far this season as every team does, but it's all about getting healthy at the right time. Heading into week 7, it looks like the Bucs are getting closer to being at full strength as they head into the second half of the season. Today the Bucs held an bonus practice this morning at one buc and three key players on offense returned to practice via Greg Auman.

Bucs returning to practice from injury today: WR Louis Murphy, WR Cecil Shorts, TE Luke Stocker. Murphy's first practice since ACL surgery.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 17, 2016

Still no practice for key players in Martin, McCoy, Ayers, Mcdonald, and JR Sweezy but we should know more Wednesday as that is the key practice day for game week. However, getting Stocker back in the run game will be huge especially this week against the 49ers defense who just allowed over 300 yards rushing. Plus getting an potential boost to the receiving core with Cecil Shorts and possibly Louis Murphy returning as well would be terrific for Jameis and company. Much needed reinforcements for the offense in which they have only scored 14 points in the last two games. Hopefully more players return as it gets closer to the 49ers game in which is an great opportunity for the Bucs to get back to 500.

Cecil Shorts Allows The Bucs Offense to Mix and Match

Yesterday, the Bucs added another weapon to the offense in veteran receiver Cecil Shorts who will provide depth and can be a reliable playmaker for Jameis. By adding Shorts, the Bucs can be even more diverse on offense as now they have a player in Shorts who is capable of playing on the outside or inside. Before the Bucs could put Humphries on the outside but he is way more effective in playing the slot position. With Shorts now in the fold, the Bucs can move their two star players in V.Jackson and M.Evans around more, whether that's playing them in the slot or vice versa.

So now having Shorts, the Bucs can play more 4 wide sets which creates more one on one matchups for Jackson and Evans. More importantly, it will make Jameis's job easier as he now has more options to attack defenses with. Not sure we will see much of Shorts this week against Atlanta as he needs to get up to speed on the playbook, but as the season progresses we could see more mixing and matching to take advantage of certain matchups. The Bucs receiver's group which was looked as an weakness just a few days ago might be strength now with Shorts in the fold.

Bucs Looking to Add More Depth at WR?

It's no seceret that the Bucs receiver depth could use some upgrades as there is not much there after the top 3 guys. Adding a proven commodity makes a lot of sense as it would add to the group and provide more weapons for franchise Qb Jameis Winston. Enter 6th year receiver Cecil Shorts who was just let go by the Texans, has been very consistent in his career and is a reliable veteran. The Bucs are expected to bring him in for an visit within the next 24 hours according to Adam Caplan.

#Buccaneers are expected to have former #Texans WR Cecil Shorts in for a visit within next 24 hours, source said.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 6, 2016

Shorts is only 28 years old and has average over 40 receptions over the last 4 years. He is consistent and would give this receiver group much needed depth. Shorts can also push Adam Humphries for that slot position and make Humphries a better player at the same time. Coach Koetter and Shorts also have crossed paths when they were in Jacksonville as Shorts was a rookie in 2011 which was Koetter's last year with the Jaguars.

Hopefully Shorts has a great visit and is on this team by tomorrow as he is an instant upgrade over Russell Shepard and Evan Spencer. Shorts is a hard worker and great teammate which would allow him to fit right in with this football team. If the Bucs make this move, I think it could have the same impact that Joe Hawley brought last year when the team signed him.