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Harvey Fialkov
August 17, 2008
JACKSONVILLE
Maybe speedy receiver Ted Ginn Jr., didn't live up to his draft status last year because he didn't have a quarterback named Chad throwing him the ball.
Ginn, who was drafted ninth overall by the previous regime last year, displayed the go-to-skills of a true number one receiver as he hauled in four catches for 58 yards in the first half.
The 5-foot-11, slightly built Ginn fearlessly darted across the middle where headhunting defensive backs prowl, and made lunging grabs of 22 and 17 yards to help make quarterback Chad Pennington's Dolphins' debut a rousing hit. In the second quarter, Ginn grabbed a pass in the flat from rookie Chad Henne and darted for 12 yards.
"How about them Chads?'' Ginn joked. "We had a game plan and we executed it. It was a great atmosphere. I'll just continue to play hard, play fast and just have fun.''
Ginn, who has been criticized for his inability to create separation, was toasting Jags cornerback Rashean Mathis on a regular basis. He nearly had a 43-yarder down the sideline on a perfect back-shoulder lob from Henne, but he juggled it and was ruled out of bounds. Coach Tony Sparano tossed his first challenge flag, but the call was upheld.
After the game, Ginn was adamant that he had possession of the ball before going out of bounds.
