Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr has left the Miami Dolphins after being traded across the country to the San Francisco 49ers.
Dangerous return man heads out west to join Niners
Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr has left the Miami Dolphins after being traded across the country to the San Francisco 49ers.
The speedster has largely been a bust at wideout in Miami since his first round selection in 2007, but has excelled as a highly dangerous return man.
The arrival of Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall from Denver signaled the expected end for Ginn, and just a few days later he has switched right across the country to California to join the Niners.
San Francisco has handed Miami a fifth-round pick in next week's draft for Ginn, who has just five touchdown catches in three season, and never really found his stride out wide.
Niners coach Mike Singletary called Ginn personally to welcome him to the team, while saying he solves the team's dire need for a playmaker on the return game.
Talent
"We added a talented player that fit a need," said Singletary. "He's a bundle of potential, and his upside is off the charts. This guy can fly."
Ginn could also return punts as well as kick-offs in San Francisco, but it is not clear if he will continue to try and carve out a career at receiver.
He lost his job out wide in Miami last season and ended the campaign with 38 receptions for 454 yards and one TD, but he showed his immense speed on the return game against the New York Jets with two kick return touchdowns.
Ginn ran in from 100 and 101 yards in the same quarter against the Jets to record the first pair of 100-plus yard return scores in the same game in NFL history, and if he could just transform some of that explosiveness into his play at receiver he could be a real threat.
Not being surprised at his trade after Marshall's arrival, Ginn said he is ready to move across the country and is happy to go back to return punts as well as kick-offs.
Business
"If you know the game and you know the business, you are ready for anything," Ginn said on a conference call. "I'm just going to come into the 49ers and show 'em what I got.
"That's one of the things I like to do (punt returns). We haven't really talked about depth charts or playing time. They are welcoming me with open arms, and I'm going to come in and just compete and be the player that I am.
"Just let my play talk for whatever needs to be said. (Singletary) called today and said he was happy I was coming to the 49ers; it's a great situation for him and me.
"I wouldn't say a sense of relief, but it's always good to have a new start. Leaving Miami, I don't hold any grudges and no bad feelings about anything.
"My time was up there. I enjoyed it there and now it's time to move on. There's no bad blood. It's the best decision for both of us."
