Ginn Jr. Ready for ‘New Start’
Ted Ginn Jr. doesn’t think he ever “fell off.” The Miami Dolphins apparently did. They sent the former No. 9 overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft to the 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round pick (No. 145 overall) in this year’s draft.
In speaking with Bay Area reporters hours after he received the initial news from 49ers head coach Mike Singletary, Ginn sounded excited about joining the 49ers and starting anew.
His initial thoughts of the trade?
“A great team. A great coach. I knew a couple guys, so I was just excited to be a 49er. It’s a great tradition and there are some great people that came from there. So, I’m happy to be there.”
Ginn figures to instantly give a boost to the 49ers return game. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns with Dolphins in 2009, and scored on a punt return as a rookie in 2007.
He also caught 38 passes for 454 yards (11.9 yards per catch) and one touchdown last season.
But whether he’s catching passes, punts or kickoffs, Ginn wants to help out the team in any way possible. With the ball in his hands, he feels most comfortable.
“I’m very open. That’s one of the things that I like to do. Special teams-wise, as far as kickoffs and punt returns, that’s me. I just feel that’s another way that I can get the ball in my hands and make plays for my team.” More...
On the Clock: G Mike Iupati
Leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft, 49ers.com will cover many of the top prospects at their respective positions. Our latest feature is on one of the top offensive linemen in the country, Idaho guard Mike Iupati.
“I like to destroy a lot of people.”
That’s the perfect sound bite coming from an offensive lineman.
Those words were spoken at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine from the mouth of Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati.
The 6-foot-5, 331-pound senior lineman with 35-inch arms is considered to be the top guard prospect in this year’s draft. But he’s also versatile enough to play the tackle position.
In college, the First-Team All-American played left guard because of his athleticism when pulling on run plays, and well, because he likes to destroy a lot of people.
“I was quick and I liked to kick out those linebackers and defensive ends,” Iupati admitted. “That's pretty much the main reason why (I played guard). I like to be engaged to a person real quick and I like to pull.”
Iupati played for a lesser-known program with the Idaho Vandals compared to many of this year’s top prospects, but when it came time for talent evaluators to scour the nation for the best players, Iupati’s name was in with the group.
In the recent months leading up the draft, Iupati has been working on playing multiple positions on the offensive line with the hopes of showing NFL teams how much of an asset he can be.
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, he lined up at left tackle and right guard, two positions he did not play previously. Although he struggled at times during the week, Iupati left enough of an impression to build more momentum leading up to the Combine.
His offseason preparation has been in good hands. Iupati has spent the last few months training with Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater, improving his pass steps from the tackle and guard positions. More...