|
Seldom does a player come around and make the complex game of
football look easy. Only on a few occasions does a player elevate
his game to the point where it is as if he is a man playing amongst
boys. Ted Ginn Jr. is one of those players that performs at such a
high standard, and there is something to be said for an athlete in
any sport that has been the best player on his playing field, during
every game, of his entire career to this point.
A quick look back to the high school football career of Ted Ginn Jr.
illuminates the vast potential that led to his outstanding college
career and has NFL scouts salivating at what he might be able to do
at the next level. Ginn Jr. was the USA Today and SuperPrep National
Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season and
followed up these accolades by winning MVP honors at U.S. Army
All-American game. Even during the national all-star game he was the
best player on the field.
Ted Ginn Jr. began his career as an Ohio State Buckeye under much
anticipation and fanfare. Although expectations were through the
roof for Ginn Jr. he met and then exceeded these expectations as his
career proceeded. Maturing from the premier prep defensive back to a
top flight collegiate wide receiver should provide the answer to any
lingering questions surrounding the work ethic of Ted Ginn Jr.
My counterpart will point out that some feel Ginn Jr. needs to work
on his pass catching and route running to be a success at the next
level. While that argument may hold water, I must also point out
that all wide receivers need to practice their route running until
it becomes a science. No prospect comes into the league running
their routes like a veteran Marvin Harrison or Torry Holt. Ted Ginn
Jr. has the physical tools, combined with the work ethic to become
an excellent route runner. Developing better hands will come in time
as he develops a rapport with his future QB, whoever it is.
If one considers all the factors surrounding a prospect like Ted
Ginn Jr. it becomes crystal clear that he will be an outstanding
player in the National Football League sooner rather than later.
With an excellent blend of speed, quickness, and versatility Ted
Ginn Jr. could have the same kind of impact that all-world RB Reggie
Bush had with the New Orleans Saints this past season. Ted Ginn Jr.
will have an impact as wide receiver and punt/kick return
specialist, an all-around weapon that in this draft is most
assuredly a top ten talent and should be an excellent selection with
one of the top ten picks at the 2007 NFL Draft.
|
Each year there are one or two prospects that gain momentum as the
draft nears for one of several reasons. Maybe they looked impressive
at the scouting combine, or they could have stood out at the Senior
Bowl and really turned some heads there. Along with those however,
there are also some whose stock soars for some unknown reason. This
year’s poster child of hype is Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn did not play in the
Senior Bowl and was unable to workout at the combine, so you may ask
why he seems to be talked about as the sexy pick at WR after Calvin
Johnson. I wish I could answer that for you, but I am at a loss as
well.
The easy knock on Ginn is that he is a straight line runner
that struggles mightily getting in and out of his breaks at speed,
therefore hindering his ability to run even average pass routes and
that he has questionable hands. Both of those statements are true.
If he were an offensive lineman, these flaws would have little
bearing on his ability to play at the NFL level. As it is, they
almost seem to prevent him from doing so. Do not get me wrong, I am
a sucker for gaudy 40 times and go routes, but the league has seen
plenty of one trick ponies. Track guys that can flat out run by
people are not that difficult to find. However a wide receiver that
you would feel comfortable spending a top ten pick on are.
Without workout numbers and times to compare with the other elite WR
coming out this year we are forced to go back to what should matter
the most; game production. But when you compare Ginn’s numbers to
those other young men he pales in comparison . Take a look at his
statistics from the 2006 season and weigh them against those of
Bowe, Meachem, Jarrett, and Rice. Of those 5 he ranks last in
receptions, receiving yards, yards per reception and TD’s despite
playing with the Heisman Trophy winning QB Troy Smith as well as
other day one offensive talent in WR Anthony Gonzalez and RB Antonio
Pittman . After all of the talk we are hearing about his speed and
his big play ability, averaging only 13.2 yards per catch (5.1 yards
less that Meachem) this season seems to say otherwise.
Despite what many media outlets seem to be preaching, Ginn looks to
be much closer to Troy Williamson, Roddy White, or Peter Warrick
than he does a legit #1 WR at the NFL level. Sometimes style blocks
the view of substance when evaluating young talent. Whatever team
takes Ginn in the top half of round one will be guilty of allowing
that to happen.
|
