Ginn displays potential but can't break big play
Ted Ginn Jr., the Dolphins' first-round pick in this year's draft, didn't have many opportunities to contribute big plays on special teams in his NFL debut, but when given a chance the former Ohio State standout showed some promise.
Ted Ginn Jr. returned three kickoffs for 70 yards in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Redskins, and he nearly broke away for a big one open when he cut back from the pile and hit the outside going left early in the third quarter.
Ted Ginn Jr. almost found open field on that return, but Redskins CB Carlos Rogers, the last line of defense, managed to push him out of bounds, limiting it to a 34-yard gain.
"From what I've seen from the work I've put in [during] practices, it has helped me a lot," said Ted Ginn Jr., who was disappointed in his returns during the exhibition season. "If you'll look, it's a big difference between [the] Kansas City [exhibition game] and now. It's all the hard work I've put in."
Ted Ginn Jr. also returned four punts for a total of 20 yards, with his longest being a 9-yard return. And he gained 7 yards on a reverse.
Bell rung
Starting S Yeremiah Bell injured his left calf in the third quarter and did not return..
Backups Travares Tillman and Cameron Worrell filled in for Bell in the base and nickel packages the rest of the way. They might be called on to fill in for a while longer, considering Bell left the stadium severely limping and with a boot on his left foot.
Also injured during the game was DE Jason Taylor, who strained his quadriceps in the second quarter but returned in the second half and finished the game.
TB Jesse Chatman suffered a knee injury late in the second half but returned on the Dolphins' next offensive series. After the game he said the injury wasn't serious.
Martin struggles
Newly acquired TE David Martin was disappointed in his Dolphins' debut because he contributed two of the Dolphins five dropped passes, which included a critical third-and-7 play that would have given the Dolphins a first down early in the fourth quarter.
"Give Washington some credit. They came out and played ball, but a lot of our miscues were on ourselves," said Martin, who finished the game with one catch for 7 yards. "I take it personal. I don't like to drop balls, especially in a big situation like that. As a tight end you have to move the chains, and I don't feel like I did my job to the best of my ability."
Give me a 'C'
Taylor, Zach Thomas, Trent Green and Jay Feely were voted the Dolphins captains by their teammates, and each wore a "C" on their game jersey.
Local connection
Another Blades made his NFL debut Sunday as Redskins rookie LB H.B. Blades, the career leader in tackles for Broward's Plantation High, notched two special-teams tackles. Blades is the son of former Lions Pro Bowl defensive back Bennie Blades and nephew of former Seahawks Pro Bowl receiver Brian Blades and the late Al Blades, a former Hurricane who made it to the 49ers practice squad in 2001. . ."It was such a rush, I can't describe it to anybody. You've got to go through it yourself," said Blades, a sixth-round pick out of Pittsburgh.
Etc.
Former UM LB Rocky McIntosh, the Redskins' starting weakside linebacker, finished the game second on his team with 11 tackles. He also forced a fumble.
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