Was Ted Ginn Confused By The Sidelines?

[MeowMeowMeooow]

As I stated in the GIF thread, it seemed like every time Ginn got the ball he ran straight for the sidelines. Did he think they were the end zone? Was he tired and in a hurry to get to his spot of the bench? Did he spot Fua stealing his Mighty Wings? Whatever the reason was, I noticed it, my wife commented on it, and even my son was yelling at him to run UP FIELD!

 

So, today I used my NFL Game Rewind App and went to every play Ginn touched the ball. Here are the one's that really stuck out to me:

 

1st Punt Return: He catches it, then spins toward the sideline (even though a spin in the other direction would have granted him daylight).

 

Kickoff after Halftime: After catching it he runs a couple of yards up field then makes a 90 degree to the sideline.

 

The Next Punt Return: Catches it. Has room. Runs directly to the sideline.

 

3rd & 17 in the 4th: Catches the screen pass, spins toward the sideline, then runs Out-of-Bounds (Only getting 5 yards instead of fighting for more on a long 3rd down).

 

Right after Mitchell's 2nd INT: Handoff to Ginn. And he makes a B-line to the sideline. Lost 2 yards.

 

And finally the last Kickoff of the game: Fields it around the 5 and runs STRAIGHT out of bounds at the 15 yard mark UNTOUCHED. (I know the game was over by then, but come on, lets see you at least get to the 25)

 

 

Don't get it twisted, I LOVE Ginn and I'm really happy he's now a Panther and I hope he remains that way for a while. But I found it very humorous that every time he gets room to run yesterday, he runs straight to the sidelines like he just scored a TD.

[csx]

Its something he has always received flack for.

[hepcat]

Go back to 2012 and watch Joe Adams fumble the kickoff return a few times and you'll understand why this is a better alternative.  The kickoff barely matters anymore with the rule changes moving it up so kickers can just boot it through the endzone.  See: Graham Gano.

[MeowMeowMeooow]

Go back to 2012 and watch Joe Adams fumble the kickoff return a few times and you'll understand why this is a better alternative.  The kickoff barely matters anymore with the rule changes moving it up so kickers can just boot it through the endzone.  See: Graham Gano.

 

Oh I know he's an upgrade. (See the last part of my OP) But there were a few times he could have broke it out for a big gain or even the TD. I want him to have a crazy good year. 

[Darth Biscuit]

Well I might say he shies away from contact, but he contacted the hell out of that DB on the Donald Lafell Touchdown.... (he was still Donald then right?)

[KSpan]

Tough to say until it's game after game, but certain returns could have been called or he may have seen something downfield that we didn't.  I'm not going to fault a returner of his caliber until it's clear that he's really struggling with vision and/or instinct. 

[CelibatePimp]

I think most returners like to make a break for the sidelines where there is less traffic on their way to the end zone, i.e., the path of least resistance.

[thefuzz]

Well I might say he shies away from contact, but he contacted the hell out of that DB on the Donald Lafell Touchdown.... (he was still Donald then right?)

 

 

Personally, I'm totally fine with him going out of bounds as long as he holds onto the football.

 

He is a speed guy, not a known route runner or hands guy....too many big hits, he get's a bit nicked up and you take away his best attribute. (although hands and routes look better this year to me)

 

Totally cool by me.

[Neylus]

Me and my buddy noticed that too. He didnt seem to be playing with the heart we have gotten used to seeing. We thought maybe he was pissed at coaches - sick or something.

[Swaggasaurus]

I wasn't alarmed by it...he knocked the poo out of a guy on a peelback yesterday that allowed a huge TD and smacked Tolbert on his ass while he was thrusting in the endzone, those two things made up for any fug ups for me.

[panthers55]

Getting what you can and then getting down or out of bounds is how you have a long career in the NFL.  When all he did was return punts or kickoffs, he needed to make things happen because he wasn't going to see the field the rest of the day.  Now he is expanding his role as a receiver and is getting many more hits.  It makes sense for him to pick and choose his opportunities now.  It is easy to see what he should have done looking from overhead at the whole field but who is to say that he saw opportunities to turn it up and get more yards.  He has taken some tough hits and dished out a few as well.  I would think the whole idea that he is soft is not true anymore.  He even goes over the middle and holds onto the ball.

[Limey]

I wasn't alarmed by it...he knocked the poo out of a guy on a peelback yesterday that allowed a huge TD and smacked Tolbert on his ass while he was thrusting in the endzone, those two things made up for any fug ups for me.

 

Now THAT made me laugh.

[StoneColdTavonAustin]

As a man who live in Florida and grew up in Miami.....Ginn always runs out of bounds and was one of Fins fans biggest complaints. 

[panthers55]

As a man who live in Florida and grew up in Miami.....Ginn always runs out of bounds and was one of Fins fans biggest complaints. 

If the Phins had a quarterback since Marino maybe Ginn would have done more. Then again their loss is our gain.