Is Ted Ginn, Jr. On The Bucs’ Radar?
February 16th, 2012
Inhaling a monstrous sandwich and reading CommishOnline.com today, Joe was reminded that 49ers wide receiver/stud returner Ted Ginn, Jr. is likely to be an unrestricted free agent in a matter of weeks.
Ginn is a very intriguing free agent name to Joe. And given that rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and new coach Greg Schiano are vocal devotees of strong special teams, Joe wonders if Ginn is high on the secret free agent radar screen in the bowels of One Buc Palace.
Joe’s written before about the Bucs’ aversion to using Micheal Spurlock last year, and about how Preston Parker didn’t rank well among returners, plus he had fumbling issues.
Ginn would fix all that and possibly and add a deep threat in the passing game. Yes, Joe knows Ginn (19 catches in 2011) is not a No. 1 wideout.
But on special teams Ginn is top shelf. In 2011, he ranked fourth in the NFL among guys with more than 20 punt returns with 12.3 yards per return. As for kickoffs, Ginn was sixth best among those with 16 or more returns. Ginn took both a punt return and a kickoff to the house and didn’t fumble all season.
How exactly could this 26-year-old guy not help the Bucs? Joe would applaud such a signing.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I agree on WR depth and special teams but my only fear is that we’d land this guy to BE our no.1 wideout. OMG, please don’t let that happen.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
I don’t see why not. He would be an upgrade.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
We need some sort of deep threat, whether it comes from speed or size. He wouldn’t be my first choice, but I could see him here. Seems like he could be a good fit.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
So long as Ginn isn’t the marquee signing of the Bucs FA class, I’ll be more than happy to have him on the team, an incredible athlete who is one of the very best kick returners in the entire NFL. Sign him up, just don’t expect him to be a number one wideout, or number two, or probably even a number three, but he would offer a boost to the special teams.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Nice grab Joe!
February 16th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
I would rather see the Bucs go with a guy like Harry Douglas to fill the “veteran WR with speed and return skills” role because of the upside he has as a wideout, but Ginn would be a close 2nd option. I see the Bucs making 2 moves at WR in FA. They need veterans to discuss on the sidelines what they are seeing firsthand on the field. Williams and Benn don’t have a clue what to tell Freeman and the OC when they are being shut down! A couple veterans should help to slap the deer-in-the-headlights look out of our young WR corps.
Hey Joe, any chance Manningham wants to follow his old WR coach to the Bay area? If so, what do you think of him as a Buc. I’m not sure he’s a #1, but he would definitely improve our WR room.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
No, i want v-jax!
February 16th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
V-Jax is over rated and no way we act like Ginn is a prize free agent and put him in as a number 1, he is a number 3 WR if that. However he would be able to stretch the field in multiple WR sets and is a great Special Teamer as Joe said, I am all in on GInn.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I don’t think Jackson is overrated. I also don’t think we have a chance in hell of getting him. Guys like Ginn and Manningham are real possibilities. Guys like V Jackson, D Jackson, and Bowe aren’t happening. Stevie Johnson might be a possibility too. Maybe.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
He is an upgrade in the return game only.
We can do much, much better.
If we’re going to add a FA WR, give me VJax or Bowe.
@thibs5599, Jackson is NOT over rated. He is extremely talented. His only baggage is he tends to have nagging little injuries.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
V Jax is slow and has attitude problems. D Jax will be franchised as well as Bowe. Manningham isn’t and upgrade over Williams or Benn IMO, so Ginn could be a #4 and good return man. I like our receivers. Given proper coaching Benn has the tools to be a solid receiver, Williams has 2 65 reception years back to back he can turn it around, and I like Parker as a slot guy. Briscoe I am not so high on I think Ginn could fit in at this slot. Now with all of that said I would like to get either CB ro LB in 1st rd draft and then maybe get a Mohammed Sanu in the 2nd round. He has familiarity w/ Schiano and is big talented WR. just a thought.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
This would be an awesome signing if its viewed as a 5th WR and top returner. Sammie Stroughter can fill the role of No. 6 and backup returner.
The Bucs then sign one more good free agent receiver and he can battle it out with Brizcoe, Parker and Gant.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Dont matter to me im just rdy for F/A
February 16th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
We need Meachem! He has speed tp be a deep threat and he’s veteran wr!
February 16th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Ray Rice needs to be on this Radar
February 16th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
I would want Marques Colston. The guy puts up 1,000 yard seasons every year and would take a weapon away from Drew Brees.
February 16th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
C’mon gimme a break. Ginn is not a good receiver. We can fill the KR duty by drafting Claiborne. Ginn runs straight and fast, thats all. I would not applaud such a signing. Please no
February 16th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@ Jared
I completely agree except on the Sanu draft pick. If we bring in a receiver it needs to be a vet. I wouldn’t mind seeing Meachem in here either. He’s got legit 4.3 speed and we could use as many weapons as we can get.
February 16th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Vincent Jackson may not be the fastest guy around, but he does have excellent speed for his size and he knows how to get open downfield. signing him is pretty unlikely, so i have been saying for quite a while now that Meachem could turn out to be a great signing. he wont command as much $ as the top guys, and he has downfield speed to go along with pretty good size. i think Ginn could be a great addition as well, and clearly he is not going to be a guy that gets targeted 80+ times a year….he’s not a great route runner, and tends to drop a lot of passes. but if we could **SOMEHOW** get him and Meachem, it would fill 2 needs….speed for offense, and a legit KR/PR threat.
February 16th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
i’m sure they could also create a package of plays for Ginn, to try and take advantage of his homerun ability. he wont be an every down receiver, but could make an impact if used correctly
February 16th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Yeh Ginn would be a perfect fit for this debacle. They need another chandelier sitting on the side lines collecting millions.
February 16th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
This is off topic, but great article by Sharager from Fox Sports that Peyton Manning should retire. My question, do you think ESPN cleared out Jaws from MNF to make room for Peyton Manning in the booth with Jon Gruden?
Grassy knoll time I know, but……..
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Indianapolis-Colts-Peyton-Manning-time-to-retire-neck-injury-021312
February 16th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@ Big Marlon B – Did you really just suggest the Ginn Around? On the upside, at least Benn would be thanking his lucky stars it is not him any more…
@Bucfish – Great comment, I could not agree more.
A veteran WR or two in the huddle would be a huge step in helping Freeman. Deer in the headlight stares and shoulder shrugs do not exactly help out a young QB. I think guys mentioned above like Meachem, Bowe, Smith, or even V Jax could go a long way towards making our number 5 look a lot more like the 2010 model as opposed to all the Testeverde/Dilfer flashbacks I was getting the last 10 games of last year. Hopefully even better!
February 16th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
As long as he is a return man and a 5th WR replacing Parker…. no problem. If he is the LONE deep threat addition…. big problem
February 16th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
I see some people say he is a third or even fifth wideout. in my mind he is at least better than most of our current receiver core. Although there are several people in my mind. Knock knock. who’s there? nobody. nobody who?
February 16th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Give me a break….Ted Ginn Jr?? When are we going to stop settling for bottom tier players that are castoffs? It’s a waste to sign a guy who’s not even going to give much to our offense. We already have good returnees in Stroughter and Spurlock.
Open the wallets and sign either Bowe, V. Jackson, D. Jackson. Drafting Blackmon or Wright would both be better options.
Hell, what about Antonio Bryant? He’s had almost 2 years to rehab that knee now.
February 16th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Ha, if you call sitting on your a$$ rehabing then I’m sure Antonio Bryant is ready to go. He got his money, he’s done.
February 16th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
If he comes for a cheap price then I’m all for his special teams play. Not really a WR, but is a beast as a return man!!
February 16th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
And besides looking at Dwyane Bowe in FA. We should also check into Stevie Johnson. Especially if we are now having a no nonsense type atmosphere. Coaches could control him more than the Bills have done. The kid is young and has great talent!!! He would pair awesome with Williams and Benn. Williams, Bowe, Johnson, Benn!!!!! If Josh can’t get it done with that lineup then he has to go!!
February 16th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Off topic, Rams are cutting Jason Smith. He could come cheap and possibly play RT or G for us. Atleast worth a shot in training camp. He was the #2 pick in the draft a couple years ago. Wouldn’t pay much for him though.
February 16th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
And what do you think about resigning Big Al to a more team friendly contract. Say 2.5-3 mil a year??? He did play hard for us on most plays. But if reports are true that he was being a negative influence on our yound DL off the field. Then no thanks!!! Just a thought tho
February 16th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
How about Braylon Edwards?
February 16th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Um….if they’re cutting a #2 draft pick from a couple of years ago, it probably means he’s not any good/or a bust.
February 16th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Randy Moss! hahaha
February 16th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
@ Patrick
We need more weapons my man. He’s a proven weapon in the return game. Why spend a the 53rd roster spot on a backup tackle when you can have an explosive weapon and improve an lagging part of the team. It’s not like we don’t have money to spend 🙂
February 16th, 2012 at 10:50 pm
@ Buczilla
Hahaha no I certainly wasn’t suggesting the “Ginn Around”….I was thinking more like screens, or some plays designed to get him over the top of the defense to take a deep shot.
February 16th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
How about Pierre Garcon?
February 16th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@ pros
I like him too, I don’t think Indy will let him get away though. If they do, he has to be a target for Dominik.
February 17th, 2012 at 2:02 am
Righteous Joe! Improves special teams as impact player, and does add a speed element to offense, though not a great one- still worth it
Pierre Garçon is exactly what we need. He is sticker- with lottsa years left, and good work ethic. Josh has an incredible arm and good touch for the long throw, and Pierre can run to it!
Williams, Benn, Briscoe, and Parker all have the speed and size to beat CBs. They really do. What Garcons speed could do is stretch their secondary, and give the rest a chance to dominate their matchups. Speed will keep a secondary from being able to cluster up.
February 17th, 2012 at 2:07 am
He’s would be great for speacial teams that’s it, awful hands. I like Meachem as someone suggested, great speed.. so so hands though as well
February 17th, 2012 at 6:10 am
If I hear 1 more person talk about speed as their #1 concern for the wr position I may in fact give up hope that anyone has a clue on these boards. YOU DON’T NEED ELITE SPEED TO GET SEPARATION OR BIG PLAYS!!!! Taking the top off of a defense and stretching the field has far more to do with body position, route running, and HANDS!!! You can get big plays without 4.4 speed, Mike Williams and Benn have adequate speed, but they are lazy as hell in and out of their breaks, don’t know how to work a corner when they play different leverages. I am so sick of the fans with an Al Davis mentality to put the fastest guys on the field, this is football not track. Speed is a plus, but speed devoid of football acumen is meaningless. BTW I like the idea of Meachem, because he has speed, but more so because he has become a much more polished route runner, and understands how to option a route based on coverage (if our new OC truly like a version of run and shoot this is very important) ….and who ever said he runs a legit 4.3 is smoking crack, he has been timed 4.4 flat but he doesn’t have 4.3 speed.
February 17th, 2012 at 10:44 am
He can’t catch… he’s only good for returning kicks
February 17th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@I Miss #40
You’re right that you don’t need speed to hit big plays – just look at V. Jackson or Fitzgerald who both probably run in the 4.5 range. However, I think everyone talks “speed” wide reciever because we need to stretch the field.
Joey Galloway excelled almost entirely because of his speed. He was a marginal route runner, had average hands, and probably below average body control. However, he was always a threat to blow past you. CBs and safeties couldn’t just scream downhill whenever the QB showed run because if Galloway got a step, you weren’t catching him. If Williams or Benn get a step, you can recover and not allow the big play, so corners and safeties can be more aggressive defending the run.
My hope for a speed receiver is just for a mere threat of going up top. Stretching the field means to add some depth to the opposing team’s front 7 – especially the corners & safeties. Of course, we need more of a Galloway instead of a Dexter Jackson for that “speed” to actually work at creating a threat though. It will also have to be more of a #2 or #3 WR who is on the field for most offensive plays. For “speed” to truly stretch a defense, it needs to constantly be a threat. Ginn is fast, but he’s a #4 or #5 guy. I like Harry Douglas from Atl.
February 17th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
To those of you who think we don’t need a speed receiver.
Yes, obviously a possession receiver can be successful.
That’s not the point or motive to have a speed receiver. This is basic stuff.
The first rule of defense is that you don’t let them get behind you. Only our very own Talib doesn’t worry about that. A possession WR can get open underneath for 10 yards.
A speed WR can outrun you secondary. He can run PAST your CB in a normal set, and your cb can’t catch up- ta da- TD!!
To prevent this, the CB and safety give a larger “cushion”, or space between themselves and said Rocketeer WR. That puts them futher away from the line of scrimmage- giving your possession WR and RBs more space to operate in.
Plus, if a possession WR does a go route( fast as possible to the end zone), he can probably drag a safety and CB 25 yards from the line of scrimmage.
A track star WR can get 35 yards down field in 3.7 seconds( average time a QB has in the pocket)
That’s why you have to have speed at WR. Its to prevent the secondary from playing close to the line, and clogging up the running game
Football 1.01
February 17th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Teddy is fast but the last time he ran across the street, he tripped on the curb and broke his leg in 3 plaees. Its a No for me.
February 17th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
BigMac- um, did you read where he ranked as a returner? Did you read that he never fumbled? Do we have a return man half as good?? Noo?
Then why wouldn’t you want an obvious upgrade?
I think the Slumlords have brainwashed the fans into being Cheap!
Unreal.
February 17th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Ginn doesn’t garner any respect from me as a WR at all. Sammie Stroughter has arguably had a comparable career. If I was a Saints coach I would have had four men on Vernon Davis and dared Ginn and the other humps in their receiving corps to beat me.
There’s a lot more WR talent out there that should rank far above Ginn on their radar.
February 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@jason
agreed. The talent pool for WR’s this FA period is nuts!! Ted Ginn Jr. does not fit into that pool. He is a solid return man, and as I said, If we can get him cheap for that role then do it. But have no plans to play him at WR. I think he will want to play more than just KickOffs so Ginn being a Buc is almost 0%! Bowe, Garcon, Steve Johnson would be nice.
And Jason Smith has size and talent. Just terrible coaching in St. Louis. He needs to commit to excellence. Thats something Schiano can do IMO. Get this guy to play hard. IF not then ohh well he doesn’t make it. We are allowed to start training camp with way more than 53 players. By the 2nd preseason game or 3rd. We will know if he is serious or a flake. Worth a shot IMO. To say no to that without even trying is shortminded!! Someone will give him a shot, and I hope for his sake he takes it serious!