Dolphin's Ginn lives up to billing

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolnb17sbaug17,0,5096166.story?page=1

Dolphin's Ginn lives up to billing

Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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.

RICKY GLIDES, RONNIE HURT

It's no secret that running back Ricky Williams has looked sensational all offseason, but now he's proving it under fire after the first two exhibition games.

After gaining 31 yards on five carries against the Bucs last week, Williams, who started in place of Ronnie Brown, glided through and around the Jaguars starters for 43 yards on 10 carries in the first half, including a 4-yard touchdown run in which he snaked through the heart of their defense.

Williams, 31, is playing on fresh legs after having just six carries in the NFL since 2005. He got plenty of help from the bulldozing blocks of rookie left tackle Jake Long.

"It all starts with the quarterbacks,'' Williams said. "Both Chads played excellent and the offensive line did a great job kept people out of the quarterback's face.''

While Brown showed no ill effects on his surgically repaired knee after his two carries for 2 yards - including a 5-yard gain - he left the game with an injured right thumb in the first half and didn't return. After the game Brown said that X-rays were negative and it was just a sprain.

"I think I just fell on it,'' Brown said. "As long as the knee feels good, this will be all right.''

Williams was helped out with several lead blocks from fullback Boomer Grigsby, who started over incumbent starter Reagan Mauia. Grigsby also caught a 7-yard pass. ...

Rookie defensive end Kendall Langford injured his left elbow and will be evaluated Sunday.

CARPENTER NAILS FGS

Jay, who?

The Dolphins decision to cut veteran kicker Jay Feely Tuesday and go with undrafted rookie Dan Carpenter looked Einstein-like after he nailed all four field goals through the first three quarters from 31, 46, 44 and 37 yards out.

Carpenter made both attempts last week from 41 and 49 yards. However, his first two kickoffs were returned for 31 and 40 yards respectively by rookie Brian Witherspoon.

ONCE A LEMON…

Last year, two former Dolphins quarterback – Daunte Culpepper and A.J. Feeley - came back with the Raiders and Eagles to drill their old team, but on Saturday, Cleo Lemon couldn't duplicate the feat in his role as Jaguars backup.

He took over in the second half, and promptly threw an interception to cornerback Joey Thomas. Lemon completed 5-of-12 for 69 yards and no scoring drives.

SOUR HOMECOMING

Dolphins receiver Ernest Wilford, drafted by the Jags in the fourth round in 2004, has been slipping down the depth chart.

He didn't do much to change matters Saturday, with two catches for five yards after three quarters.

"We're coming together as a team,'' Wilford said. "It's still early. It's still preseason. I know I could come out and play any given time. All I ask is for the opportunity.''

LINEBACKER SHUFFLE

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter made his preseason debut Saturday and made his presence known right away by pressuring Jags quarterback David Garrard on the first series.

Porter, who has been slowed by a sore back this week, shifted to the weak side with Charlie Anderson out with a hamstring injury. He smothered Jags running back Fred Taylor for a 1-yard gain and then wrapped up Maurice-Jones Drew to help force a long field goal miss by Josh Scobee.

Converted defensive end Matt Roth started on the strong side or against the opposing tight end, and came up with a 5-yard sack of Garrard.

"They did a nice job early,'' Sparano said of the defense, which shut out the Jaguars in the first half. "They got off the field on third down, but we've got to get rid of these penalties."

HOLLIDAY STILL OUT

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday remains sidelined with a tweaked hamstring, and once again rookie Phillip Merling took his place on the right side. …

Captains for the game were Williams on offense, Yeremiah Bell on defense and Keith Davis on special teams. …

Sparano is still experimenting on kick returns with Patrick Cobbs and rookie Jalen Parmele back on the opening kickoff. Cobbs gained 22 yards. Ted Ginn Jr., was the solo punt returner in the first half.

COACHING CONNECTIONS

Sparano, offensive line coach Mike Maser and special teams coach John Bonamego all were on the Jaguars' staff in 2002 under then coach Tom Coughlin. Current Jags coach Jack Del Rio was the defensive coordinator at the time, while Sparano was the tight ends coach.