.png)
Ted Ginn Jr.: 'I've never made a catch like that'
By CARLOS FRIAS
November 9, 2008
MIAMI GARDENS — When Chad Pennington flung the ball 39 yards downfield to a double-covered Ted Ginn Jr., just about everyone wondered what he was doing - including a wide-open Greg Camarillo, who was at least five yards ahead of his defender.
"I was so open, I started slowing down, figuring the ball was coming my way," said Camarillo, the Dolphins' other wide receiver on the play.
If only Pennington and Ginn believed it was the right throw, that was enough. Ginn caught his first touchdown pass of the season, the opening score in Miami's 21-19 win against Seattle. The play showed that Ginn, a first-round draft pick who struggled as a rookie last season, has earned the confidence of his quarterback and coaches.
Pennington admitted after the game Sunday that he missed Camarillo and joked that he "elected to make it hard" by forcing it to Ginn.
But Ginn justified Pennington's decision by making an amazing catch. Ginn took his eyes off the ball to turn his head and catch it over his right shoulder as he neared the back of the end zone with defenders draped all over him.
"I've played on the highest level in high school, in college and now in the pros," Ginn said, "and I've never made a catch like that... It fell in the right place at the right time. If I didn't catch it, it was going to hit me on my helmet."
In recent weeks, Ginn has been showcasing his resilience as much as his speed. His touchdown catch Sunday capped a series that started after he returned the opening kickoff for an apparent touchdown that was negated by a holding penalty.
He admitted that the wiped-out touchdown return hurt "for a minute. But all you can do is come back and try to make the next play."
He continues to keep coming. His four catches for 67 yards against Seattle gave him 34 receptions this season, matching his 2007 total. Ginn now has now caught a pass in 21 consecutive games and he said he no longer feels judged after every effort.
The Dolphins are one of the few teams that still conduct one-on-one drills against defensive backs, and Pennington said that is helping Ginn. Their motto in practice is simple: "No dropped balls."
That's what Ginn remembered Sunday on his big pass from Pennington.
"He threw it up, took a chance," Ginn said, "and I came down with it."
