HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) – The old cliche about learning something new everyday might never be more applicable to Cecil Shorts’ life than it is right now.

“It’s a grind,” said the former Jaguars receiver in his first year with the team. Shorts and a bevvy of other pass catchers are vying for reps ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener with the 49ers.

The work on the field is only half the struggle for Shorts who is playing in yet another offense in his young career. He said after practices he will “study all night” in an effort to ingrain himself in this offense.

“You gotta study,” he said. “That’s just the nature of it. You’re in the NFL. They demand a lot from you.”

He went on to call head coach Bill O’Brien and offensive coordinator George Godsey some of the best offensive minds he has played with. He also agreed that his experience with multiple offensive coaches in Jacksonville has allowed him to get deeper in the Texans playbook a little quicker.

Familiarity with the new, not just in the books but on the field too.

Shorts spends plenty of time in the slot after being an outside wide receiver most of his career. He doesn’t mind the extra work load from playing essentially two positions.

“As long as I’m on the field, I’m good,” he said.

Shorts noted he is larger than your typical inside receiver and can also keep pace with some of the speedier defensive backs he will see there. If he was to run into a linebacker or a safety he said he would be “smiling ear to ear” to see those defenders.

As far as his goals on Sunday when he takes the field as a member of the Texans for the first time? Well. It’s simple really. Unlike his playbook.

“Execute. Do your job correctly.”

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