April 28, 2007 is a date that most Dolphin fans may not look upon with tremendous fondness. However, it is certainly a day that will stick in their minds for a long time.  It was on that fateful day when the National Football League held it’s annual rookie draft and the Miami faithful were excited about holding the ninth overall pick. To be sure, they needed something to be stoked about...

After all, their team had just finished the 2006 season with a dismal 6-10 record and began 2007 by being shafted by their coach Nick Saban who, despite several vehement statements to the contrary, decided that he would return to the college ranks rather than coach the Dolphins another year.
 

With new coach Cam Cameron at the helm, the fans’ hopes were high that the quarterback position would be addressed in the draft. After sitting through the season watching Joey Harrington, Daunte Culpepper and Cleo Lemon toss a grand total of 16 touchdown passes, who could blame them? Miami supporters knew that they had no shot at Jamarcus Russell (whom not a ton of people were sold on, anyway) but Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn seemed to be a reasonable possibility. Quinn had just won the prestigious Maxwell Award (given to the nation’s best college football player) and was being labeled a “franchise-type” quarterback by many scouts.

Quinn was still on the board when the Dolphins had their selection. Anticipation grew to a fever pitch amongst the fanbase. They were about to get a quarterback who could lead them back to better times Commisioner Roger Goodell stepped up to the microphone and said those unforgettable words:
 

“With the ninth selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Ted Ginn Jr.”
 

Ginn Jr., Ohio State’s leading receiver with 59 catches, was a speedster who was also talented kick return specialist. However, most experts agreed that he was not deserving of a Top Ten pick. Dolphins’ fan were not only stunned, they were angry. Even if Ginn Jr. possessed the ability to be an NFL receiver, who the heck was going to throw the ball to him?
 

So, it was with a lukewarm (to put it kindly) reception that Ginn Jr. began his career in a Miami uniform. The fact that he had a foot injury coming into the season did not exactly set him up to succeed. As the result both of poor quarterbacking and the natural progression a rookie receiver goes through trying to acclimate to the pro game, Ginn Jr. finished his first year with an underwhelming 34 catches for 420 yards and two touchdowns.
 

Last season, the Dolphins finally stabilized their quarterback situation when Chad Pennington was released by the New York Jets. Ginn Jr. had his return duties scaled back and was allowed to concentrate on being a starting wide receiver. He improved noticeably, posting totals of 56 catches for 790 yards.
 

So, how will he do entering his third year in the league, a time when a young receiver is expected to take a big step in his development?
 

While he has flashed some of the potential that the Dolphins may have seen in him initially, he hardly looks like he’s a minute from becoming one of the league’s top receivers. He has been inconsistent at times, recording six games last season with two or less receptions. While his 13.4 Yards Per Catch Average is decent, the fact that he only has four receiving touchdowns indicates that he is rarely able to utilize his speed enough to break off a long one.

What’s worse for him is the situation in Miami, which will limit Ginn Jr.’s opportunities. As long as Ronnie Brown is healthy, he will remain the focal point of the offense. Possession receiver Greg Camarillo will be returning to action after ending last season on injured reserve and will siphon some of the action away from Ginn Jr. To put the icing on this depressing cake, there are now rumors that Chad Henne and not Chad Pennington will be leading the Dolphins this year. If the scuttlebutt is true, Ginn Jr. will have to endure the young quarterback’s growing pains as he learns on the job.

Don’t reach for Ginn Jr. on Draft Day. He is, at best, a depth player in just about all but the crazy deep league formats.

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