Ginn
here is article 2 from the blade on Sunday
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060827/COLUMNIST37/608270341/-1/SPORTS
Misused speedster won't win top trophy
COLUMBUS - Ted Ginn Jr. is on the path to stardom.
But don't look for him to hoist the Heisman hardware in what likely will be his final season at Ohio State.
Ginn has outrageous speed and extraordinary talent.
But the receiver/returner doesn't get enough opportunities to excel or showcase his skills.
Sometimes ever-conservative coach Jim Tressel forgets that Ginn is one of the most dangerous and explosive players in the country.
Ginn has been misused again and again by the Ohio State coaching staff.
The Buckeyes need to get the ball in his hands more often.
"Ted's got nothing but positive energy," Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith said. "He's a player that wants to get better, day in and day out. Wisdom and time are going to do nothing but make him better.
"I think he's going to be a great, great player before he's finished at Ohio State."
Ginn had a strong finish to his sensational freshman season, when he averaged a touchdown every seven times he touched the football.
Much was expected of him a year ago. But he suffered through a bit of a sophomore slump after being touted as a Heisman hopeful and appearing on the cover of Sports
Illustrated.
Ginn wants everyone to know that he is a more polished player as a junior, both on and off the field.
He no longer wants to be called Teddy, just Ted.
Ginn also made it clear that with the departure of Santonio
Holmes to the NFL, he is ready to be Smith's primary target. Holmes was a first-round pick of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
"Santonio was a great receiver, but he's gone," Ginn said. "We have to move on and go with the next guys coming up. We have some good receivers coming up with Anthony Gonzalez and Roy [Hall]. We have to be ready for those guys to step up and make plays.
"When they say Ohio State, they just can't say Ted Ginn. They have to say Anthony
Gonzalez and Roy Hall. You just have to be ready for things like that."
A year ago, Smith replaced Justin Zwick as the starting quarterback in the third game. He divided the ball pretty evenly between Ginn (51 catches, 803 yards, four touchdowns) and Holmes (53 catches, 977 yards, 11 scores).
The 21-year-old Ginn, who has added five pounds to his slender 6-foot, 180-pound frame, said the Buckeyes are not feeling any added pressure from being the top-ranked team in the preseason polls.
"It's time to rock and roll," he said. "I'm very excited. We're ranked No. 1 - it's an honor and a pleasure - but it's going to be a hard road. We've just got to play tough and play hard."
Ginn frequently was tripped up by his route running when he first arrived at Ohio State. But he's worked hard to improve that area of his game.
"Now I think you'd have to characterize him as an excellent route runner if you study the film," Tressel said.
The electrifying Ginn is lightning quick.
That has helped speed up his development as a receiver.
"I'm comfortable all of the time," Ginn said. "You have to come in with a level head. I just want to come in and make plays for my seniors. I think I've improved at route running and reading defenses and just being comfortable."
Ginn can kick it in on returns, as well.
He has a Big Ten-record five career punt returns for touchdowns and a kickoff return for another score.
Smith is expecting more of the same this season from Ginn, whom he has known since their childhood days growing up in Cleveland.
The dynamic duo played for Ginn's father, Ted Sr., at Glenville High School.
The elder Ginn coached Smith and considers him a son. Ginn Jr. and Smith consider each other brothers.
Touchdown Ted more than likely won't win the Heisman, but perhaps he could hand it off to his good buddy Smith.
:osu: :osu: :osu: :osu:
