Facing unrestricted free agency for the first time, Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts admitted to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports that all the losing he has experienced in Jacksonville in recent years has left him feeling frustrated. Asked about what he’ll be seeking in free agency, Shorts suggested he would prefer to join a contending team.
“I just care about winning, man,” Shorts said. “When it comes down to it, I’m kind of fed up with this losing stuff. I’d do anything I can to help this team win. But you’re going to get a reliable guy. I’m not going to be any trouble during the season or the offseason. Just a reliable guy that’s going to be there and show up on Sunday.”
Shorts is one of a handful of free agents – along with Derrick Morgan, Andrew Gachkar, and a few others – who Garafolo thinks could see their careers take off with new teams. Here’s more on free agency, from around the AFC:
- After visiting the Browns, wide receiver Brian Hartline is on to Houston to meet with the Texans, a league source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). According to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), a deal with the Texans is a “real possibility” for Hartline, particularly with the club ready to move on from Andre Johnson.
- Another free agent receiver is paying a visit to an AFC South team today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that ex-Falcon Harry Douglas is meeting with the Titans. As Schefter notes, Mike Mularkey, who is now Tennessee’s assistant head coach, was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator from 2008 to 2011, overlapping with Douglas’ stint in Atlanta.
- Having reported last month that Shane Vereen may aim for $5MM per year in free agency, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter links) now says that the running back is eyeing a $3.5MM annual salary. According to Howe, the Patriots haven’t shown a willingness to meet that price, but other teams will likely have interest at that rate.
- While Vince Wilfork‘s statement this morning announcing his departure from the Patriots had a sense of finality to it, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says (via Twitter) that if the defensive lineman wants to return to New England on a reduced deal, the team will leave the door open for him.
- The Jets, who have been linked to free agent defensive linemen like Kendall Langford and Chris Canty, would like to re-sign Kenrick Ellis, but Ellis is interested in testing his value on the open market, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.