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During his rookie season, Ted Ginn Jr. showed flashes of brilliance returning kicks and punts and garnering Pro Bowl consideration. But his production as a wide receiver in the base offense left much to be desired as his route running and understanding of NFL defenses was very raw. Even with these challenges, Ginn managed to set a rookie club record for all-purpose yards with 2,086 yards combined on rush attempts, receptions and returns; good for fourth best overall by a Dolphin in team history (2002, Ricky Williams - 2,216 yards).

 

Now in his second year, Ginn’s production in the base offense has become increasingly steady, with playmaker moments more of the norm. This change in performance began in the game against the Bills (Week 8), where Ginn had a career day with 175 receiving yards on 7 receptions (211 all-purpose yards).

 

Against the Seahawks, Ginn caught an amazing 39 yard TD pass in triple coverage and racked up 154 all-purpose yards. He also had a 100 yard kickoff return for a TD called back due to a holding penalty.

 

This past game versus the Raiders, Ginn scored on a 40 yard reverse for a TD, using his speed and elusiveness to get into the endzone. He also got open on a dagger route that converted a critical 4^th and 5 play late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line, leading to the winning field goal. At the end of the day, Ginn accounted for 166 all-purpose yards.

 

We’ve begun to see the player the Dolphins were hoping for when they selected him 9th overall in the 2007 Draft.

 

I visited briefly with Ginn at the Dolphins Training Facility in Davie to get his take on his improvement this year, and what to expect in the future.

 

Reflecting on his rookie season

Last year was really a learning experience. Coming in this year, I just felt like a vet and the more you treat yourself like a vet it’s easier for you to know what’s going on. When you treat yourself like a rookie, and do rookie things, you can backtrack.  

 

Comparing this past offseason to his first as a rookie

Last year when I came in, I was coming off a foot injury and I wasn’t really able to get in the weight room and put weight on and do the things I did this year. I wasn’t able to maintain my physique as I usually do in the offseason. This year was a great opportunity for me to pack on weight and [even] get a little bit over the weight I wanted to be.

 

On if Ginn thinks he can get faster

Oh yes, for sure. Offseason is just [about] work ethic. I’ve had one good [healthy] year of training and I know what I need to do [to get faster].

 

On when we can expect to see the Shot Ginn formation

(Note: the Shot Ginn is a variant of the Wildcat incorporating Ginn. Ginn saw action from this formation in college at Ohio State)

I don’t know. I’m not trying to base my season on that. I’m just trying to go out and play football. However I get the ball is cool. I’m not really pressing about the Shot Ginn.

 

On who is the toughest DB Ginn has faced thus far

A lot of guys I’m seeing this year [for the first time] that I really didn’t see last year. New England [will] always give you a problem. The Jets always give you a problem. The Bills [too]. Just cause you play them twice a year. 

 

On what he has improved most on this season

Working on getting off the jam better, route running, stacking people. I think I improved a lot on that. I still have more improvement to make, but these are the [things] I really improved on and excelled at from last year.