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Q&A With Ted Ginn, Jr.
We continue today with another Q&A session with a Buckeye from the Ohio State media guide. Thanks to Steve Snapp and the SID department.
Q: Everything looks like it comes so natural to you on the football field. Has it always felt that way?
A: No. When I was growing up, I was the slowest kid out threre. I had a lot of things to work on, but as I got taught the game a lot of things started to come natural. When you keep doing things you're supposed to do, you put yourself in good situations.
Q: What about off the field? Is there anything about college life you're still trying to get the hang of?
A: I'm not really a go-out guy that you'll see at parties. Every once in a while I'll go out, but I have fun doing the things I like to do. I spend a lot of time in my dorm room. For the past year, if you ever wanted to find me, that's where I was.
Q: Which college or pro football players did you try to imitate when you were a kid?
A: People will hate me for saying this, but my favorite player was Charles Woodson. I was a big Ohio State fan, but I just liked his swagger and the way he played.
Q: Why No. 7?
A: Well, No. 2 was always my favorite number and it still is, but when I got here I wanted a single-digit number and No. 7 was the only one available, so I took it. Some great players have worn that number here and I guess I got lucky with it.
Q: You were the top young hurdler in the nation last year. Was it tough not competing on the track this spring?
A: No. I needed a little break. I needed to work on some things, like gaining a little weight, getting stronger and learning the offense better. I missed it, but I gained something out of it.
Q: What was your most memorable moment from your freshman season?
A: My first touchdown in the 'Shoe' against Wisconsin. It was a great feeling to go in and score and see the crowd and my teammates go nuts.
Q: What's your secret to being a good punt returner?
A: It's no secret-it's the blocking up front by my teammates. If they didn't block, I would just catch the ball and get tackled. They know that if Teddy or Santonio is back there and they give us the chance, we might score, so you just look for the open hole and go.
Q:When you break into the open field, do you hear the crowd?
A: No. I don't hear the crowd until score or get tackled. Then, it's either a big yell, or an "awhhh."
Q: Have people stopped misprounouncing your name?
A: (Laughs)...No, but I don't get mad. As long as they're saying my name that's a great feeling.
Q: Who is most likely to call your cell phone?
A: My girlfriend.
Q: Do you always answer?
A: Yes, ALWAYS.
Q: Take us through the process of you playing quarterback last year.
A: I heard it through the grapevine that they might put me back there, but I didn't think much of it because it's just about the team. If it would help the team for me to be back there then I would do it. They called me over in practice and we started working on it. It was a great experience because now I understand what a quarterback goes through. Everything happens so fast.
Q: And in the Alamo Bowl, when you saw Justin Zwick tweak his leg, did you know it was your time?
A: Yes. I knew we didn't want to take a year away from Todd Boeckman, so I had a feeling I was going in. I was pretty excited. Quarterback is such an important position and I never thought that me, Ted Ginn Jr., would ever play quarterback at Ohio State. When I went in the crowd yelled, they were shocked. And the defense was in shock too.
Q: Were you tugging on Coach Tressel's sleeve to let you throw a pass?
A: Yeah, and were about ready to try a pass play but the play clock got down to low so we had to call a run play in a hurry.
Q: Someone said you are the baby of the family?
A: Yeah, I was always the youngest kid, the youngest cousin, always. I didn't really have anyone around me my age, so it was always me, my grandma and the dog. And the broom.
Q:The broom?
A: Everyday it was the same routine. I'd get to my grandma's house at 8 a.m. and sweep the porch. Then at noon I'd swep the porch again. There wouldn't be anything there but I would have to sweep it again. And I swept it again before I left at 6 p.m. It was the same routine everyday, but it helped me. And if it wasn't sweeping, it was either mowing, painting, raking or putting tar down. I knew I was doing one of those five things everyday. And I was only like 8 or 9 yeard old, but I have painted more railings than most people have seen in their lifetime.
Q:This summer, you worked out everyday a 6 a.m. and went to class?
A: Yes, every day. I get up at 5:15 a.m. and run and lift. Then I have to be in class by 8:30 a.m., at study table at 10:30, then I run sprints on the track in the afternoon. It's not tough after you get used to it. I don't even need an alarm clock now.
Q: What's your favorite sports movie?
A: The Program. With all the trials and tribulations that freshmen running back had to go through, he showed a lot of toughness to succeed.
Q: Have you ever had to carry a football around because you fumbled like he did?
A: No, not yet.
Q: So Tom and Jerry was, and still is your favorite cartoon?
A: If there was an all-day Tom and Jerry marathon on TV right now I'd watch every minute of it.
Q: Your Dad, Ted Sr., coached you in high school. What was that like?
A: It was the best thing ever because he never shows favoritism. If you walked onto our practice field you would have never known that I was his son. In fact he probably hollered at me louder and harder than anyone else, but he always left it on the field. At home, I was just a normal kid.
Q: What was your favorite meal growing up?
A: Fish, spaghetti, lobster and shrimp. All together.
Q: All together on the same plate?
A: Yep. I love them all together and that's what I would ask for my birthday dinner.
Q: What's your favorite sport to watch on TV other than football?
A: College basketball or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Q: Where is the most interesting place you have ever been?
A: Through football and track I've been able to see a lot of different places, but I'd probably have to say the Olympic training facility in California.
Q: Every Ohio State fan remembers where they were for the 2002 national championship. Where were you?
A: I was in my basement watching the game on the big screen with my family and a bowl of popcorn.
Q&A With Ted Ginn, Jr.
We continue today with another Q&A session with a Buckeye from the Ohio State media guide. Thanks to Steve Snapp and the SID department.
Q: Everything looks like it comes so natural to you on the football field. Has it always felt that way?
A: No. When I was growing up, I was the slowest kid out threre. I had a lot of things to work on, but as I got taught the game a lot of things started to come natural. When you keep doing things you're supposed to do, you put yourself in good situations.
Q: What about off the field? Is there anything about college life you're still trying to get the hang of?
A: I'm not really a go-out guy that you'll see at parties. Every once in a while I'll go out, but I have fun doing the things I like to do. I spend a lot of time in my dorm room. For the past year, if you ever wanted to find me, that's where I was.
Q: Which college or pro football players did you try to imitate when you were a kid?
A: People will hate me for saying this, but my favorite player was Charles Woodson. I was a big Ohio State fan, but I just liked his swagger and the way he played.
Q: Why No. 7?
A: Well, No. 2 was always my favorite number and it still is, but when I got here I wanted a single-digit number and No. 7 was the only one available, so I took it. Some great players have worn that number here and I guess I got lucky with it.
Q: You were the top young hurdler in the nation last year. Was it tough not competing on the track this spring?
A: No. I needed a little break. I needed to work on some things, like gaining a little weight, getting stronger and learning the offense better. I missed it, but I gained something out of it.
Q: What was your most memorable moment from your freshman season?
A: My first touchdown in the 'Shoe' against Wisconsin. It was a great feeling to go in and score and see the crowd and my teammates go nuts.
Q: What's your secret to being a good punt returner?
A: It's no secret-it's the blocking up front by my teammates. If they didn't block, I would just catch the ball and get tackled. They know that if Teddy or Santonio is back there and they give us the chance, we might score, so you just look for the open hole and go.
Q:When you break into the open field, do you hear the crowd?
A: No. I don't hear the crowd until score or get tackled. Then, it's either a big yell, or an "awhhh."
Q: Have people stopped misprounouncing your name?
A: (Laughs)...No, but I don't get mad. As long as they're saying my name that's a great feeling.
Q: Who is most likely to call your cell phone?
A: My girlfriend.
Q: Do you always answer?
A: Yes, ALWAYS.
Q: Take us through the process of you playing quarterback last year.
A: I heard it through the grapevine that they might put me back there, but I didn't think much of it because it's just about the team. If it would help the team for me to be back there then I would do it. They called me over in practice and we started working on it. It was a great experience because now I understand what a quarterback goes through. Everything happens so fast.
Q: And in the Alamo Bowl, when you saw Justin Zwick tweak his leg, did you know it was your time?
A: Yes. I knew we didn't want to take a year away from Todd Boeckman, so I had a feeling I was going in. I was pretty excited. Quarterback is such an important position and I never thought that me, Ted Ginn Jr., would ever play quarterback at Ohio State. When I went in the crowd yelled, they were shocked. And the defense was in shock too.
Q: Were you tugging on Coach Tressel's sleeve to let you throw a pass?
A: Yeah, and were about ready to try a pass play but the play clock got down to low so we had to call a run play in a hurry.
Q: Someone said you are the baby of the family?
A: Yeah, I was always the youngest kid, the youngest cousin, always. I didn't really have anyone around me my age, so it was always me, my grandma and the dog. And the broom.
Q:The broom?
A: Everyday it was the same routine. I'd get to my grandma's house at 8 a.m. and sweep the porch. Then at noon I'd swep the porch again. There wouldn't be anything there but I would have to sweep it again. And I swept it again before I left at 6 p.m. It was the same routine everyday, but it helped me. And if it wasn't sweeping, it was either mowing, painting, raking or putting tar down. I knew I was doing one of those five things everyday. And I was only like 8 or 9 yeard old, but I have painted more railings than most people have seen in their lifetime.
Q:This summer, you worked out everyday a 6 a.m. and went to class?
A: Yes, every day. I get up at 5:15 a.m. and run and lift. Then I have to be in class by 8:30 a.m., at study table at 10:30, then I run sprints on the track in the afternoon. It's not tough after you get used to it. I don't even need an alarm clock now.
Q: What's your favorite sports movie?
A: The Program. With all the trials and tribulations that freshmen running back had to go through, he showed a lot of toughness to succeed.
Q: Have you ever had to carry a football around because you fumbled like he did?
A: No, not yet.
Q: So Tom and Jerry was, and still is your favorite cartoon?
A: If there was an all-day Tom and Jerry marathon on TV right now I'd watch every minute of it.
Q: Your Dad, Ted Sr., coached you in high school. What was that like?
A: It was the best thing ever because he never shows favoritism. If you walked onto our practice field you would have never known that I was his son. In fact he probably hollered at me louder and harder than anyone else, but he always left it on the field. At home, I was just a normal kid.
Q: What was your favorite meal growing up?
A: Fish, spaghetti, lobster and shrimp. All together.
Q: All together on the same plate?
A: Yep. I love them all together and that's what I would ask for my birthday dinner.
Q: What's your favorite sport to watch on TV other than football?
A: College basketball or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Q: Where is the most interesting place you have ever been?
A: Through football and track I've been able to see a lot of different places, but I'd probably have to say the Olympic training facility in California.
Q: Every Ohio State fan remembers where they were for the 2002 national championship. Where were you?
A: I was in my basement watching the game on the big screen with my family and a bowl of popcorn.
Upvote
0
ShakerBuck
Hall of Fame
what a refreshingly down to earth and humble young man.
proud to hav him as a buckeye
proud to hav him as a buckeye
Upvote
0
he really is an incredibly quiet, humble guy... who is incredibly confident on the field. Absolutely perfect attitude, if you ask me. So many gamebreakers have shifted our perception of what a great player should look like... like Sanders, Woodson, Moss, Owens, etc.
This is exactly what you should look like, young players. Come out, dominate, and stare into the opposing student section when you punk their team's dbs (ie MSU).
Easily one of the most unstoppable forces in the second half of 2004, and yet his biggest taunt was one quick little "shhh" with his hand towards the student section. I bet he got whipped by Tressel and daddy Ginn for that one too :)
This is exactly what you should look like, young players. Come out, dominate, and stare into the opposing student section when you punk their team's dbs (ie MSU).
Easily one of the most unstoppable forces in the second half of 2004, and yet his biggest taunt was one quick little "shhh" with his hand towards the student section. I bet he got whipped by Tressel and daddy Ginn for that one too :)
Upvote
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BuckBackHome
Wolverine is largest member of weasel family
You know what I learned from that: He is still just a kid, which is wonderful!
His favorite meal is fish, spaghetti, lobster and shrimp! That is great. Don't be in a hurry to grow up.
His favorite meal is fish, spaghetti, lobster and shrimp! That is great. Don't be in a hurry to grow up.
Upvote
0
lvbuckeye
Silver Surfer
that little 'shh' he gave the crowd after that TD is one of my favorite moments from the season... in practice that week, one of the coaches asked him how many TDs he was going to score, and he said that he would try to get three... and then he did... in three different ways... yet he maintains his humility... i love this kid...jwinslow said:
Upvote
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korchiki
Hall of Fame
not sure if i did this right so change it if it needs to be changed...but i got pretty excited reading it...From the Dayton Daily News
Ginn pushing for move
Record-setting returner wants a shot at OSU's vacant DB spot
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be looking to fill a vacant cornerback spot when fall camp begins today, and one high-profile player already has submitted his application.
Sophomore Ted Ginn Jr., who caught 25 passes last season and set the OSU career record for punt-return TDs with four, has pleaded with Tressel for additional duty on defense while dropping subtle hints with the rest of the staff.
"He'll go into the defensive (meeting) room and pencil his name in at corner," Tressel said with a laugh.
Ginn was the USA Today defensive player of the year as a senior at Cleveland Glenville High School after intercepting eight passes and returning five for TDs.
He will add kickoff returns to his repertoire this year. And while he did play some corner in man-to-man coverages during the spring game, Tressel is making no promises.
"The only thing I know for sure is that you don't want to overwork him because it's a long season," Tressel said. "The other thing I know is if you ask him if he's tired, the answer is no. I think we have to be smart."
The Buckeyes have one solid corner in junior Ashton Youboty, who was the Big Ten co-leader in interceptions last year with four. Senior Tyler Everett, a converted safety, is listed first on the depth chart at the other spot.
"I always felt Tyler was a little more of a true corner than he was a true safety," Tressel said. "But he's so smart, he can play both."
Ginn had such a stirring freshman year that few remember he was little more than an afterthought on offense for much of the season. He had just three receptions and no TDs in his first four games.
But Tressel pointed out that even cant-miss prospects have some trouble getting acclimated to college.
"When kids come in, they need to prove two things: one, I can play at this level and, two, I can go to school at this level — because it's a step up in both arenas," Tressel said.
"As extraordinary as he was on the field, he was even more extraordinary (in the classroom)."
USC, others coming
The Buckeyes will play Texas the next two seasons, and future schedules are packed with other marquee games.
OSU plays Washington in 2007, Southern Cal in '08 and '09, Miami (Fla.) in 2010 and '11, California in '12 and '13 and Virginia Tech in '14 and '15.
Tressel has been an advocate of stiff nonconference challenges since his days at Youngstown State.
"I remember in '89 calling my athletic director and saying, 'I need you to schedule Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern. They're playing for the championship this year. And if we're ever going to be champions, we need to play teams like that,' " Tressel recalled. "He said, 'Are you crazy?' "
The Penguins went 1-2-1 against Stephen F. Austin and 2-0 against Georgia Southern while winning four Division I-AA national titles.
"I think those games got us prepared to run the table four times," Tressel said.
Players to sign
OSU players will be available for autographs Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at French Field House, which is located next to St. John Arena.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0807osufbnotes.html
Ginn pushing for move
Record-setting returner wants a shot at OSU's vacant DB spot
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be looking to fill a vacant cornerback spot when fall camp begins today, and one high-profile player already has submitted his application.
Sophomore Ted Ginn Jr., who caught 25 passes last season and set the OSU career record for punt-return TDs with four, has pleaded with Tressel for additional duty on defense while dropping subtle hints with the rest of the staff.
"He'll go into the defensive (meeting) room and pencil his name in at corner," Tressel said with a laugh.
Ginn was the USA Today defensive player of the year as a senior at Cleveland Glenville High School after intercepting eight passes and returning five for TDs.
He will add kickoff returns to his repertoire this year. And while he did play some corner in man-to-man coverages during the spring game, Tressel is making no promises.
"The only thing I know for sure is that you don't want to overwork him because it's a long season," Tressel said. "The other thing I know is if you ask him if he's tired, the answer is no. I think we have to be smart."
The Buckeyes have one solid corner in junior Ashton Youboty, who was the Big Ten co-leader in interceptions last year with four. Senior Tyler Everett, a converted safety, is listed first on the depth chart at the other spot.
"I always felt Tyler was a little more of a true corner than he was a true safety," Tressel said. "But he's so smart, he can play both."
Ginn had such a stirring freshman year that few remember he was little more than an afterthought on offense for much of the season. He had just three receptions and no TDs in his first four games.
But Tressel pointed out that even cant-miss prospects have some trouble getting acclimated to college.
"When kids come in, they need to prove two things: one, I can play at this level and, two, I can go to school at this level — because it's a step up in both arenas," Tressel said.
"As extraordinary as he was on the field, he was even more extraordinary (in the classroom)."
USC, others coming
The Buckeyes will play Texas the next two seasons, and future schedules are packed with other marquee games.
OSU plays Washington in 2007, Southern Cal in '08 and '09, Miami (Fla.) in 2010 and '11, California in '12 and '13 and Virginia Tech in '14 and '15.
Tressel has been an advocate of stiff nonconference challenges since his days at Youngstown State.
"I remember in '89 calling my athletic director and saying, 'I need you to schedule Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern. They're playing for the championship this year. And if we're ever going to be champions, we need to play teams like that,' " Tressel recalled. "He said, 'Are you crazy?' "
The Penguins went 1-2-1 against Stephen F. Austin and 2-0 against Georgia Southern while winning four Division I-AA national titles.
"I think those games got us prepared to run the table four times," Tressel said.
Players to sign
OSU players will be available for autographs Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at French Field House, which is located next to St. John Arena.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0807osufbnotes.html
Upvote
0
scarletngrey11
All right, all right, all right.
nice article, if ginn can hold up the whole season then i have absolutely no problem letting him play corner, but if it hurts his offensive game then no way.
Upvote
0
AJHawkfan
Wanna make $14 the hard way?
Ginn, scheduling and autographs.....
Here's a pretty decent article from today's Dayton Daily....
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0807osufbnotes.html
Ginn pushing for move
Record-setting returner wants a shot at OSU's vacant DB spot
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be looking to fill a vacant cornerback spot when fall camp begins today, and one high-profile player already has submitted his application.
Sophomore Ted Ginn Jr., who caught 25 passes last season and set the OSU career record for punt-return TDs with four, has pleaded with Tressel for additional duty on defense while dropping subtle hints with the rest of the staff.
"He'll go into the defensive (meeting) room and pencil his name in at corner," Tressel said with a laugh.
Ginn was the USA Today defensive player of the year as a senior at Cleveland Glenville High School after intercepting eight passes and returning five for TDs.
He will add kickoff returns to his repertoire this year. And while he did play some corner in man-to-man coverages during the spring game, Tressel is making no promises.
"The only thing I know for sure is that you don't want to overwork him because it's a long season," Tressel said. "The other thing I know is if you ask him if he's tired, the answer is no. I think we have to be smart."
The Buckeyes have one solid corner in junior Ashton Youboty, who was the Big Ten co-leader in interceptions last year with four. Senior Tyler Everett, a converted safety, is listed first on the depth chart at the other spot.
"I always felt Tyler was a little more of a true corner than he was a true safety," Tressel said. "But he's so smart, he can play both."
Ginn had such a stirring freshman year that few remember he was little more than an afterthought on offense for much of the season. He had just three receptions and no TDs in his first four games.
But Tressel pointed out that even cant-miss prospects have some trouble getting acclimated to college.
"When kids come in, they need to prove two things: one, I can play at this level and, two, I can go to school at this level — because it's a step up in both arenas," Tressel said.
"As extraordinary as he was on the field, he was even more extraordinary (in the classroom)."
USC, others coming
The Buckeyes will play Texas the next two seasons, and future schedules are packed with other marquee games.
OSU plays Washington in 2007, Southern Cal in '08 and '09, Miami (Fla.) in 2010 and '11, California in '12 and '13 and Virginia Tech in '14 and '15.
Tressel has been an advocate of stiff nonconference challenges since his days at Youngstown State.
"I remember in '89 calling my athletic director and saying, 'I need you to schedule Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern. They're playing for the championship this year. And if we're ever going to be champions, we need to play teams like that,' " Tressel recalled. "He said, 'Are you crazy?' "
The Penguins went 1-2-1 against Stephen F. Austin and 2-0 against Georgia Southern while winning four Division I-AA national titles.
"I think those games got us prepared to run the table four times," Tressel said.
Players to sign
OSU players will be available for autographs Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at French Field House, which is located next to St. John Arena.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
Here's a pretty decent article from today's Dayton Daily....
http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0807osufbnotes.html
Ginn pushing for move
Record-setting returner wants a shot at OSU's vacant DB spot
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will be looking to fill a vacant cornerback spot when fall camp begins today, and one high-profile player already has submitted his application.
Sophomore Ted Ginn Jr., who caught 25 passes last season and set the OSU career record for punt-return TDs with four, has pleaded with Tressel for additional duty on defense while dropping subtle hints with the rest of the staff.
"He'll go into the defensive (meeting) room and pencil his name in at corner," Tressel said with a laugh.
Ginn was the USA Today defensive player of the year as a senior at Cleveland Glenville High School after intercepting eight passes and returning five for TDs.
He will add kickoff returns to his repertoire this year. And while he did play some corner in man-to-man coverages during the spring game, Tressel is making no promises.
"The only thing I know for sure is that you don't want to overwork him because it's a long season," Tressel said. "The other thing I know is if you ask him if he's tired, the answer is no. I think we have to be smart."
The Buckeyes have one solid corner in junior Ashton Youboty, who was the Big Ten co-leader in interceptions last year with four. Senior Tyler Everett, a converted safety, is listed first on the depth chart at the other spot.
"I always felt Tyler was a little more of a true corner than he was a true safety," Tressel said. "But he's so smart, he can play both."
Ginn had such a stirring freshman year that few remember he was little more than an afterthought on offense for much of the season. He had just three receptions and no TDs in his first four games.
But Tressel pointed out that even cant-miss prospects have some trouble getting acclimated to college.
"When kids come in, they need to prove two things: one, I can play at this level and, two, I can go to school at this level — because it's a step up in both arenas," Tressel said.
"As extraordinary as he was on the field, he was even more extraordinary (in the classroom)."
USC, others coming
The Buckeyes will play Texas the next two seasons, and future schedules are packed with other marquee games.
OSU plays Washington in 2007, Southern Cal in '08 and '09, Miami (Fla.) in 2010 and '11, California in '12 and '13 and Virginia Tech in '14 and '15.
Tressel has been an advocate of stiff nonconference challenges since his days at Youngstown State.
"I remember in '89 calling my athletic director and saying, 'I need you to schedule Stephen F. Austin and Georgia Southern. They're playing for the championship this year. And if we're ever going to be champions, we need to play teams like that,' " Tressel recalled. "He said, 'Are you crazy?' "
The Penguins went 1-2-1 against Stephen F. Austin and 2-0 against Georgia Southern while winning four Division I-AA national titles.
"I think those games got us prepared to run the table four times," Tressel said.
Players to sign
OSU players will be available for autographs Thursday from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. at French Field House, which is located next to St. John Arena.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Everyone knows the staff will be very careful with Ginn playing some defense, he is to valuable on offense right now. By all reports, Everett is going to do well at the corner spot.
Upvote
0
