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8/25
He's liviing life in double time
Ticktock. Time's wasting. Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. has autographs to sign, interviews to do, plays to make. He does everything fast. And he doesn't miss a beat.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus - The clock ticks, and Ted Ginn Jr. is on the move, again.
Time's wasting when Ohio State's do-everything sophomore saunters up to Ohio Stadium on a brilliant summer day. He has another photo shoot, one more media outlet that wants to spotlight him, one more request for his time. He stands at the entrance for a minute, maybe two.
Immediately, he's spotted.
Fellow students, children wandering by, workers at the stadium, they all notice Ginn. They whisper and disappear. They return with Sharpies and requests for autographs. Ginn signs as he walks from one posed picture to another. One boy asks for Ginn to sign the back of his shirt, and the Buckeyes receiver/kick returner/defensive back/sometime- quarterback scrawls his name in looping letters from one shoulder blade to the other.
And he keeps moving. This is Ted Ginn Jr.'s life, now, measured in precious seconds. He has a schedule, so much to accomplish quickly, and he won't be diverted. He treasures his privacy, keeping the news that his father, Ted Ginn Sr., underwent surgery last week hidden from the public. He talks about it quickly and briefly, maybe hoping the news won't catch him.
He counts the moments until Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will undoubtedly relent and begin using Ginn at both the defensive back position he was recruited to play, and the wide receiver position he flourished at later in the year.
And he listens quietly to the questions that come at him without pause.
How long will it take for Ginn to flash his speed and return another punt for a touchdown this season? How long before he adds defensive back to his full-time receiver duties? How long before the whispers linking his name with the Heisman Trophy become louder?
Is it his destiny to lead Ohio State to its second national title in four years?
Hislifeisablur. That's all the speedy Ginn knows for sure. It's all a matter of time, everyone figures, before all those questions are answered.
The days of anonymity are far behind Ginn. There was a time last season, after all, when he actually had punts kicked to him. He doubts that will happen this season, though he hopes to add returning kickoffs to his duties to increase his chances of seeing the ball.
He is a marked man after a freshman season in which he shined on special teams, returning four punts for touchdowns, setting an Ohio State record in the process. The first time he felt comfortable last season was against Michigan State, when he punched in three touchdowns - one on a 17-yard reverse, one on a 58-yard reception, and one on a 60-yard punt return.
But his sparkling moment as a Buckeye came against Michigan, when he sprinted 82 yards with a punt for a touchdown that broke the game open.
Ohio State linebacker Mike D'Andrea has pondered what, exactly, makes Ginn so special.
"I think it's his initial step," D'Andrea offered. "He's hitting his stride after one step and guys are trying to catch up to him. He's definitely the fastest I've ever seen. You just have to be ready to run. That's the only thing you can do against him."
That speed, which lets him cover 100 meters in 10.5 seconds, was not on display in the spring track season. Though Ginn was adamant about attending a college where he could play football and run track, he skipped track to focus on gaining strength for football.
"Football's rolling right now," Ginn said. "It felt a little weird not to go out and run, but I got a little stronger and gained a little weight. It's a big difference."
For the record, he's up to 176 pounds on his 6-0 frame. It's only a 6-pound difference, but he hopes the added muscle will help him with the hard hits he takes in the Buckeyes' 11-game regular season.
But he kept his speed. In a team obstacle course during training camp, Ohio State linebacker Anthony Schlegel stared in awe as Ginn flew through the hurdles portion of the course. Ginn, of course, was a state champion in the 110-meter high hurdles in high school.
"Teddy's unbelievable," Schlegel said. "I wish people could see the way he runs - just watch him run."
As it is, Ohio State fans only see him on the football field. And he only had 59 touches last year, a number Tressel vowed to increase this season.
That's why Tressel smiles slyly when asked if Ginn might see time at quarterback, as he did in the Alamo Bowl when the Buckeyes were short-handed at the position. And that's also why Tressel won't rule out the possibility of Ginn playing on both sides of the ball.
Which is fine with Ginn, who always counted defensive players like [bke: howard was a receiver/returner at michigan and in nfl: ]Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson as his childhood heroes. Ginn came to Ohio State proclaiming his desire to play defensive back, until his speed and offensive talent was too much to hide.
Now, he counts the days until he can play on both sides of the ball. Tressel, for his part, said he's taking it slowly.
"He'll go and go and go and say, 'Oh, I'm not tired,' " Tressel said of starting the season with Ginn playing only receiver. "How it will evolve, I don't know."
Everyone expects the question to be not whether Ginn can evolve into a two-way player, but how quickly he can do it.
And when it comes, this complete- player package, the Heisman Trophy talk is sure to follow. It's early to mention the sophomore's name as a candidate, but Ginn never has been one to wait for anything. He sprints toward accolades at full speed - though he's careful not to define himself by them.
"The Heisman is a great thing to win, but it's nothing to base my season on," he said.
Life moves quickly.
Ginn remembers when he could wander around town without anyone noticing him. Those days are gone.
"Everybody knows who you are," Ginn said.
His teammates say he's still the same old Ted Ginn Jr., though he sometimes wears a baseball cap pulled down over his face when he goes out, now, just so he's not recognized.
Still, he's spotted everywhere. People come up to him in stores and restaurants, asking him what it's like to be the fastest player in college football.
"I don't believe I'm the fastest player in football," Ginn said. "I just think I show my speed more."
What, exactly, is the difference? Before Ginn has a chance to clarify, he's off, again. Headed to another practice, another impromptu autograph session, another sprint somewhere.
Ticktock. Time's wasting. Ginn has places to go, and the speed to get him there quickly.
8/25
He's liviing life in double time
Ticktock. Time's wasting. Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. has autographs to sign, interviews to do, plays to make. He does everything fast. And he doesn't miss a beat.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus - The clock ticks, and Ted Ginn Jr. is on the move, again.
Time's wasting when Ohio State's do-everything sophomore saunters up to Ohio Stadium on a brilliant summer day. He has another photo shoot, one more media outlet that wants to spotlight him, one more request for his time. He stands at the entrance for a minute, maybe two.
Immediately, he's spotted.
Fellow students, children wandering by, workers at the stadium, they all notice Ginn. They whisper and disappear. They return with Sharpies and requests for autographs. Ginn signs as he walks from one posed picture to another. One boy asks for Ginn to sign the back of his shirt, and the Buckeyes receiver/kick returner/defensive back/sometime- quarterback scrawls his name in looping letters from one shoulder blade to the other.
And he keeps moving. This is Ted Ginn Jr.'s life, now, measured in precious seconds. He has a schedule, so much to accomplish quickly, and he won't be diverted. He treasures his privacy, keeping the news that his father, Ted Ginn Sr., underwent surgery last week hidden from the public. He talks about it quickly and briefly, maybe hoping the news won't catch him.
He counts the moments until Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will undoubtedly relent and begin using Ginn at both the defensive back position he was recruited to play, and the wide receiver position he flourished at later in the year.
And he listens quietly to the questions that come at him without pause.
How long will it take for Ginn to flash his speed and return another punt for a touchdown this season? How long before he adds defensive back to his full-time receiver duties? How long before the whispers linking his name with the Heisman Trophy become louder?
Is it his destiny to lead Ohio State to its second national title in four years?
Hislifeisablur. That's all the speedy Ginn knows for sure. It's all a matter of time, everyone figures, before all those questions are answered.
The days of anonymity are far behind Ginn. There was a time last season, after all, when he actually had punts kicked to him. He doubts that will happen this season, though he hopes to add returning kickoffs to his duties to increase his chances of seeing the ball.
He is a marked man after a freshman season in which he shined on special teams, returning four punts for touchdowns, setting an Ohio State record in the process. The first time he felt comfortable last season was against Michigan State, when he punched in three touchdowns - one on a 17-yard reverse, one on a 58-yard reception, and one on a 60-yard punt return.
But his sparkling moment as a Buckeye came against Michigan, when he sprinted 82 yards with a punt for a touchdown that broke the game open.
Ohio State linebacker Mike D'Andrea has pondered what, exactly, makes Ginn so special.
"I think it's his initial step," D'Andrea offered. "He's hitting his stride after one step and guys are trying to catch up to him. He's definitely the fastest I've ever seen. You just have to be ready to run. That's the only thing you can do against him."
That speed, which lets him cover 100 meters in 10.5 seconds, was not on display in the spring track season. Though Ginn was adamant about attending a college where he could play football and run track, he skipped track to focus on gaining strength for football.
"Football's rolling right now," Ginn said. "It felt a little weird not to go out and run, but I got a little stronger and gained a little weight. It's a big difference."
For the record, he's up to 176 pounds on his 6-0 frame. It's only a 6-pound difference, but he hopes the added muscle will help him with the hard hits he takes in the Buckeyes' 11-game regular season.
But he kept his speed. In a team obstacle course during training camp, Ohio State linebacker Anthony Schlegel stared in awe as Ginn flew through the hurdles portion of the course. Ginn, of course, was a state champion in the 110-meter high hurdles in high school.
"Teddy's unbelievable," Schlegel said. "I wish people could see the way he runs - just watch him run."
As it is, Ohio State fans only see him on the football field. And he only had 59 touches last year, a number Tressel vowed to increase this season.
That's why Tressel smiles slyly when asked if Ginn might see time at quarterback, as he did in the Alamo Bowl when the Buckeyes were short-handed at the position. And that's also why Tressel won't rule out the possibility of Ginn playing on both sides of the ball.
Which is fine with Ginn, who always counted defensive players like [bke: howard was a receiver/returner at michigan and in nfl: ]Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson as his childhood heroes. Ginn came to Ohio State proclaiming his desire to play defensive back, until his speed and offensive talent was too much to hide.
Now, he counts the days until he can play on both sides of the ball. Tressel, for his part, said he's taking it slowly.
"He'll go and go and go and say, 'Oh, I'm not tired,' " Tressel said of starting the season with Ginn playing only receiver. "How it will evolve, I don't know."
Everyone expects the question to be not whether Ginn can evolve into a two-way player, but how quickly he can do it.
And when it comes, this complete- player package, the Heisman Trophy talk is sure to follow. It's early to mention the sophomore's name as a candidate, but Ginn never has been one to wait for anything. He sprints toward accolades at full speed - though he's careful not to define himself by them.
"The Heisman is a great thing to win, but it's nothing to base my season on," he said.
Life moves quickly.
Ginn remembers when he could wander around town without anyone noticing him. Those days are gone.
"Everybody knows who you are," Ginn said.
His teammates say he's still the same old Ted Ginn Jr., though he sometimes wears a baseball cap pulled down over his face when he goes out, now, just so he's not recognized.
Still, he's spotted everywhere. People come up to him in stores and restaurants, asking him what it's like to be the fastest player in college football.
"I don't believe I'm the fastest player in football," Ginn said. "I just think I show my speed more."
What, exactly, is the difference? Before Ginn has a chance to clarify, he's off, again. Headed to another practice, another impromptu autograph session, another sprint somewhere.
Ticktock. Time's wasting. Ginn has places to go, and the speed to get him there quickly.
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Sorry. I cut that off...lvbuckeye said:
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4654
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vBook: How many TDs for Ginn in '05?
How many TDs will Ted Ginn score this season?
(This does NOT include the bowl game.)
How many TDs will Ted Ginn score this season?
(This does NOT include the bowl game.)
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Perfect140
Banned
Ginn is a beast
Ginn will have 15 TD's this year, 5 special teams TD's, and 10 receiving TD's
Ginn will have 15 TD's this year, 5 special teams TD's, and 10 receiving TD's
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ScarletBlood31
Buckeye in Blacksburg
I say he has about 9 receiving touchdowns, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 5 special teams touchdowns.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Here are some pics of Ginn at the Glenville opener....
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biggsj6030
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." -Plato
All this hype about Ginn is good,but...
I love Ted Ginn's abilities and everything he does for the team, but a lot of people are forgetting about Holmes. Not Ohio State fans, but other college football fans. I am not knocking on Ginn but some people are forgetting about Holmes. And that might be good for now, but wait until game day.
I love Ted Ginn's abilities and everything he does for the team, but a lot of people are forgetting about Holmes. Not Ohio State fans, but other college football fans. I am not knocking on Ginn but some people are forgetting about Holmes. And that might be good for now, but wait until game day.
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Is it going to suddenly turn bad? The entire point that he is not getting much respect is an excellent indicator of how deep offense can be this year.biggsj6030 said:
SH has already been quoted that he loves being the forgotten man.
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I say let them forget Holmes. That would be a GRAVE mistake (well, other teams, not so much other team's fans.) How is this a problem, potentially, on game day??? Or did you mean something else?
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biggsj6030
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." -Plato
No what I ment was that the other teams might forget about him, and when they do that it's going to be awsome. I know that looked unclear.osugrad21 said:
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