From GM Gene Smith to Jack Del Rio and even in Brian sexton’s Jaguars report today, everyone seems to be salivating over Cecil Shorts. But I really have to question why? What has he done so far that makes everyone think he will be the next Jimmy Smith in Jacksonville?

Is it because he had a great college career, so did JaMarcus Russell. Shorts was a D-3 All American three times in college and had three straight 1,000 yard receiving years. The problem is people in Jacksonville know all too well that college talent doesn’t always translate to great pros. Need examples in Jacksonville alone how bout Derrick Harvey, Matt Jones, and Troy Williamson. Now I’m not saying Shorts will be a bust but why is everyone ready to crown this rookie “the wide receiver of the future”? It has to be his practices because it can’t be his game experiences.  So far this preseason he has only played in one game, he only has 5 catches, he has zero TD’s, and oh yeah 1 fumble on 1 carry. Not the kind of stats you want to see in a star. Yes it was his first game, yes he still can improve, yes it’s not even the regular season yet, but that’s my point. Can’t we wait untill a few weeks in before saying he is the reason Jacksonville doesn’t need a big name free agent wide receiver.

Let me give you a little story about unrealistic expectations. Growing up around Philly I can remember a guy by the name of Bobby Hoying. See after Randell Cunningham left the Eagles they had a bunch of rough years at the QB position. So toward the end of an ugly season in 97 the Eagles handed the keys to Hoying. He played great throwing 11 td’s including a 4 td effort in one game. I remember it was around Christmas time and not a single Hoying Jersey could be found, it was at the top of everyone’s wish list. Hoying “the Great Savior of Eagles Football” and it was over as quickly as it started. The next season with Hoying the undisputed QB he threw 9 interceptions and 0 TDs in the first 7 games. He was bench, then shipped off to Oakland, and really never played again. But he is in the NFL record books, most completions without throwing a touchdown.

Now this is an extreme example but it’s not that unusual in the NFL. Guys get a lot of hype then come in and we learn they can’t play with the big boys. Again my disclaimer, I’m not saying Shorts will be a major bust, all I’m saying is let’s wait till he plays in some meaningful games before we decide he will be a great receiver.