Ex-OSU star’s quick-strike role should play out nicely

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By Marc Pendleton, Staff Writer 10:47 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

The only thing Ted Ginn Jr. has consistently caught with the Miami Dolphins is flak.

Dolphins brass was almost booed off the stage when Miami took the former Ohio State University wideout with the No. 9 pick in the 2007 NFL draft.

At least for one week, Ginn earned a pass by returning kickoffs 100 and 101 yards for sizzling scores in a 30-25 defeat of the Jets. That’s Ginn at his Travis Williams best. If it were only that easy for the Cleveland Glenville High School flash all the time.

We’ve seen this before.

No one in the NFL was faster than 49ers wideout Renaldo Nehemiah from 1982-84. He was the world record holder in the 110-meter high hurdles (12.93 seconds). And much like Ginn, all he caught was grief.

Ginn’s numbers were 56 catches for 790 yards last season. But tossing those strikes was quarterback Chad Pennington, lost for this season after suffering yet another career-threatening injury in the preseason.

That injury and Ginn’s anti-Hines Ward field presence has finally caught up to him. He’s not even the best former OSU receiver with the Dolphins: Rookie Brian Hartline has taken his starting spot.

Ginn’s underachieving numbers and drops have forced the Dolphins into other receiving options. That he still can strike from long distance — without having to run precise routes or block — should provide many happy returns for Miami.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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