SANTA CLARA – Ted Ginn Jr. attended the minicamps and the OTAs, but he didn’t participate because the knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of the NFC Championship Game all the way back in January still bothered him. Six months later, he’s apparently ten pounds heavier, stronger and healthy.
The past two days he’s worked out with the rookies at the team facility, and he gave himself an A+ for his work. This afternoon he talked to reporters about his injuries, the recent workouts and more. Here’s a transcript.
Q: What was the injury that held you out in the offseason?
GINN: There were a couple, but I fought through them and I’m back.
Q: Was it the same stuff that kept you out of the Championship Game?
GINN: Yup.
Q: Are you bigger this year than you’ve been in the past?
GINN: A little bit. I had some time to really hit the weight room, work on my upper body, get stronger.
Q: What’s your weight?
GINN: About 185.
Q: What has it been?
GINN: About 175.
Q: Is the speed still there?
GINN: Yeah.
Q: Will you be healthy and fully ready to go for training camp?
GINN: Yeah.
Q: When did you feel like you were 100 percent back?
GINN: This right here really was the test. Get in early with these young guys, fly around, do certain things out there to see where I’m at, and as it’s been going I can give myself an A+ right now.
Q: What kind of advice are you giving A.J Jenkins on returning punts?
GINN: Being out here in San Francisco, the weather we have – the wind – that plays a big part. We’ve got Andy Lee as a kicker. We’ve got David Akers as a kicker. They’re two of the greats right now in our league, and to be able to come out and practice with them and with the wind, learn the flights of the ball – that’s all I can really teach him. Don’t shy away. Start getting under it.
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Very happy to have Mr. Ginn back. I like that he added muscle. No need to be nervous with him fielding kicks, but opponents should be very nervous.
I hope the extra weight doesn’t slow him down. Otherwise, I agree. I like to hear positive news out of training camp.
Sure sounds like his confidence is at 100%. I don’t see how carrying an additional 10 pounds could NOT slow him down at least a shade…but on the other hand, his new strength may help to develop this cocky confidence, which could improve his catching skills (hearing fewer footsteps?). If we could add a receiver as good as he is a returner, that’d be HUGE!
Rusty,
We may already have a receiver as good as he is a returner in Chris Owusu.
I’ll admit to some serious ignorance when it comes to Owusu, Nick. How would you rate him as a returner, compared to how Ginn did last year?
Rusty,
Owusu did quite well at Stanford in kickoff returns. He didn’t return any punts, however. Here are his KR career highlights. On top of this, he was the fastest WR in the combine this year and can become a solid NFL receiver.
Kickoff Returns
Kickoff Returns: 6 vs. USC, 2010
Kickoff Return Yards: 205 vs. USC, 2010
Longest Kickoff Return: 94 (TD) vs. San Jose State, Sept. 19, 2009
Owusu’s Top Kickoff Returns
94 vs. San Jose State (TD), 2009
91 vs. Washington (TD), 2009
88 vs. USC, 2010
85 at Washington State (TD), 2009
77 vs. Oregon, 2009
52 at Arizona, 2009
The knock on Owusu is that he’s prone to concussions.
Don’t forget that he has questionable hands as well.
I’m not especially happy that Ginn put on 10 lbs. You notice players never put on 10 lbs of fat. It’s always 10 lbs of muscle :o) even if they haven’t been able to run as much as they usually would. But I am very happy that he is feeling good. We have others who could return punts, but nobody like Ginn.
Just as long as he knows he’s not likely to see the field as a Receiver this season I’m happy with his attitude and work ethic. :)
185 pounds is still not very much, the guy can fly.
Not concerned. The coaches will make decisions for him to lose weight or stay the same. Training camp will be the testing ground.
The most important aspect for Ginn, he does not fumble the ball, he does.not dive for punts and he does not let a punt roll on his knee after it hits the ground.
The guy obviously feels the pressue that most of us see. He is the odd man out of making this team right now. He needs to jump in the media and toot his own horn in hopes of making this roster. I just don’t see it happening. He is in the same boat as Dixon.
I would be shock if Ginn does not make the team. The Niners had learned their lesson, which may of cost them a ring.
hope he put some of that muscle weight on his legs he nees to keep that speed