Ted Ginn Jr.’s father disappointed with San Francisco 49ers’ use of his son
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) runs against Baltimore Ravens long snapper Morgan Cox (46) during the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports)
Ted Ginn Jr.’s father, a highly respected high school football coach in Ohio, has told the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via NFL.com) that he is extremely disappointed with how the San Francisco 49ers treated his son in 2012-13. In fact, since Ginn is entering free agency, Senior does not see any way the Niners keep his son in the Bay Area.
“They don’t use him,” Ginn Sr. said. “He has to find a home.”
No matter who’s decision it has been, Poppa Ginn has a point. In the team’s Super Bowl 47 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Ginn was only targeted on one pass, but it landed incomplete. He did return the game’s final punt for 32 yards, but rookie running back LaMichael James took over primary returning responsibilities. The Oregon star returned three kickoffs for 75 yards on Super Sunday, compared to Ginn’s aforementioned punt return as well as one kickoff return for 31 yards.
Prior to this past season Ginn had voiced his desire to be used more in the receiving game, not simply as simply a return specialist.
However, the market for him was lukewarm, and he was forced to sign a one-year deal with the 49ers. The team also brought aboard Mario Manningham and Randy Moss in addition to James. The franchise already had young stars Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis in the receiving mix as well, forcing Ginn out of the picture.
Ginn was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins six years ago. He was supposed to be the team’s all-everything offensive superstar, but never lived up to the hype in dropping numerous passes and eventually being benched before he was traded to San Francisco prior to the 2010 season.
In his three seasons with the team, Ginn has 33 receptions, including a mere two in 2012.
Ginn runs a 40-yard dash in under 4.3 seconds, so he can help several teams. Unfortunately, it just may not be as a wide receiver.
Would any proud father want to hear that about his hard working son?
