An Observation Regarding Ginn

[TylerDurden]

He obviously has looked horrible, especially the last few games.  I stated in the gameday thread, this version of Ginn is what other teams had prior to him coming to Carolina.  It's why he couldn't find a home in Miami, SF, or Arizona.  I saw one poster here suggest it is age catching up with him, and it really made me think...

I really searched the memory bank for every play I remember him being involved in this season to analyze whether he's looked like this the entire year.  Then it hit me...  it was the second preseason game against the Titans.  But, anyway, Cam hit Ginn and Ginn took off, hit that superhuman 7th gear, and dusted the defense for an easy 61 yard score.  I remember we were all hyped on the board, as we hoped and believed that would be what we would see for the rest of the season.  It also looked like our offense just carried over from last year seamlessly.  And again, Ginn looked twice as fast as anyone else on the field.

But then, I cant pinpoint it, but it may very well have been the next week in the 3rd preseason game where our whole offense looked like poo... but he just disappeared.  He had a 20 yard rush against Denver, which I think I remember him looking just as explosive as usual once he caught the corner.  I also recall him getting behind the defense as he typically has in a couple of early games this season, but the last few weeks is when i first noticed a lack of explosion, speed, and overall urgency.  The tipping point may have been Minnesota...  when he muffed that kickoff, he just seemed out of it.  He didnt even try to jump on it, he just watched it.  From that moment on, he looks slower, more indecisive, and the least engaged I ever recall seeing him in a Panthers uniform.

This suggests to me that, at least in Ginn's case, that it isn't a physical issue or decline.  Coincidentally enough, both of his best seasons coincided with two of our most successful winning seasons.  Maybe the slow start and overall dysfunction surrounding the team took its toll on him and he lost interest.

Anyway, just thought I'd put it out there, as he has been a sticking point for many in the game threads.

[GoobyPls]

Ginn is old and has a lot speed. 

[LinvilleGorge]

He looks really tentative out there - as a returner, as a receiver, as a runner. He just looks like he's absolutely terrified of contact.

[KillaCamNewton]

I personally think we're either not using him enough or not in the right way. Last year he was on the field every snap and teams had to play off of him or risk getting killed deep. That opened up the entire middle of the field last year which is a big reason why Olsen put up such huge number. When he's not on the field theres a huge lack of speed and safeties can cheat up closer

[Cpt slay a ho]

Me and another poster call it after the Super Bowl, he's shying away from contact, idk why but either at receiver or returner he always runs a b line towards out of bounds 

[Ship]

for punt returns he seems to be pressing and going sideways thinking he can set up a block or something. he needs to just make one cut and fly.

 

[t96]

31 minutes ago, Cpt slay a ho said:

Me and another poster call it after the Super Bowl, he's shying away from contact, idk why but either at receiver or returner he always runs a b line towards out of bounds 

He's always done that. All of last year and 2013 he did that and every other year of his career. That's just his game.

[CPantherKing]

Ginn needs to be used on 1st and 2nd down to stretch the defense. They are trying to use him paired with Brown and Funchess to fill Cotchery's 3rd down receiver role.

The problem is Ginn is not a reliable receiver. We all knew that.

He is a deep threat who runs 2 deep routes and screens. Stop using him as a 3rd down receiver for 1st downs.

[PhillyB]

he consistently underthrows his passes imo

[brandon_87]

2 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

He looks really tentative out there - as a returner, as a receiver, as a runner. He just looks like he's absolutely terrified of contact.

90% of his touches end with him running out of bounds, pissed me off so bad.

 

There was the 1 Plat yesterday when KB acted like he was going out of bounds but fought up the sideline for more.... why the fug can't ginn ever do that?

[Khyber53]

Ginn had 5 catches for 54 yards. That's not bad. It would have been better had that long pass not been underthrown so badly.

Ginn is way, way, way down the list of problems this team has.

[KillerKat]

So am i the only one that notices at least 2-3 guys already in Ginn's face on almost all of our punt returns? Then when he does have room, he's still anticipating there being guys at his face. Therefore, he doesn't look as good as last year. It's like David Carr syndrome but for punt returning. 

[Paa Langfart]

I personally think that with a handful of exceptions the whole team and coaching staff has mentally checked out this year.

[Omega Atrocity]

Hrs been bad on punt returns, but our blocking on returns is absolutely horrific, so I don't really put the blame on him.

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