NFL Mock Draft: Rams Select Ted Ginn Jr. No. 13
With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.
The Rams will have to settle for this playmaker. In all honesty, they hope for a sudden slip by Amobi Okoye or Alan Branch to fill their biggest need at defensive tackle. But with both tackles off the board early, the team has to consider other options. They might ponder taking Darrelle Revis here, but the team has a greater need at receiver and, more importantly, kick/punt returner.
Torry Holt is still Big Game-worthy, no doubt, but he'll be 31 when the season begins. Isaac Bruce, at 35, has defied age, but the shoe hanging above his head is only tenuously perched. Drew Bennett is nice, but with the losses of Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald this offseason, the team needs a slot receiver to groom for starting duty. Ted Ginn Jr. is extra-super-appealing in that regard because he can also return kicks and punts. Devin Hester made returners more desirable; the Rams will have to worry less about defense if they're constantly winning the battle of field position or getting points from special teams.
Some see Ted Ginn Jr. slipping after a disappointing workout, but one of three coaches in attendance that day was Scott Linehan. The interest is there. The knock on Ted Ginn Jr. is that, while undoubtedly fast and with good hands, route-running is a weakness. The ability to work with one of the best route-runners in the league should be beneficial. In the meantime, Ted Ginn Jr. can stretch the field with the fly route, allowing space for Torry Holt, Randy McMichael, and Steven Jackson to do their things.
The Skinny:
Team Needs: DE, DT, LB, CB, S, WR, KR
Player Selected: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
Also Considered: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh; Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State; Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
No. 4 Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Read more at http://nhl.aolsportsblog.com
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Carolina Panthers: How Ted Ginn Jr. Can Become Cam Newton's Best Friend While Ted Ginn Jr. has been the epitome of a draft bust, one can hope that his career will be resurrected with Cam Newton throwing him passes. On paper, it's definitely a long shot. Ginn serves as a symbol of the Miami Dolphins' drafting ineptitude, as the team selected him with the ninth pick in the 2007 NFL draft. After playing for the franchise for just three seasons, the Dolphins decided to ... Panthers' Ginn looks to capitalize on fresh start CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Ted Ginn Jr. has never liked being labeled a ''specialist.'' Panthers' Ted Ginn Jr. eager to prove he can still contribute as wide receiver in the NFL CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Ted Ginn Jr. has never liked being labeled a "specialist." Ted Ginn tired of being 'bashed,' labeled a specialist Ted Ginn earned a reputation as a return specialist in his first six NFL seasons. Now, he wants to prove to the Carolina Panthers -- and the world -- that he still can play wide receiver. Ginn wowing Newton, Panthers with speed Ted Ginn Jr. has never liked being labeled a "specialist" and is looking to take advantage of a "fresh start" with the Carolina Panthers and prove to critics he can still play wide receiver in the NFL and be more than just a returner. Ted Ginn’s speed makes Ron Rivera go “wow” Everyone knows Ted Ginn is fast. But Panthers coach Ron Rivera didn’t know just how fast until Ginn got on the practice field in Carolina. Rivera, whose team signed Ginn as a free agent receiver/return man in March, said he has gained a real appreciation for just how speedy Ginn is now that Organized Team… Carolina's Ginn looks to capitalize on fresh start Ted Ginn Jr. has never liked the label of "specialist." Video: Ted Ginn Jr. wants to be productive WR Adam Schefter discusses whether Ted Ginn Jr. can be a productive wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. Ginn could revive career in Carolina CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If there was a star of the Carolina Panthers' minicamp in Thursday afternoon’s session, it was Ted Ginn Jr. On two different occasions, Ginn used his speed to get open and catch deep balls from Cam Newton. “That’s kind of part of the reason he’s here coach Ron Rivera said. “Obviously, with his speed, we know he can blow the top off the covers and he’s showing. He’s going. I ... LATEST NEWS CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ted Ginn Jr. has never liked the label of "specialist." Now the six-year NFL veteran is looking to take advantage of a "fresh start" with the Carolina Panthers and prove to critics he can still play wide receiver in the NFL and be more than just a returner. |
