Even before the Miami Dolphins traded two second-round draft picks over the next two years, signing Brandon Marshall to one of the biggest wide receiver contracts in league history in the process, reports were surfacing that the Dolphins were shopping Ted Ginn Jr. It's being reported that Marshall's arrival, or rumored arrival, wasn't necessarily what's pushing Ginn out the door. As the Palm Beach Post's Edgar Thompson writes, Ginn "may have worn out his welcome in Miami with his eight dropped passes in 2009 and tendency to run out of bounds to avoid contact."
Sissy. Drops passes. Not very productive. Check. Check. Check. Before I stamp my "no thanks" on this, I would be remise to at least not point out Ginn's special teams production. During a 30-25 win over the New York Jets, Ginn became the first player in NFL history to score two 100-yard returns for touchdowns in a game. The dude has explosive speed.
With Quan Cosby and Bernard Scott covering return duties last year, you don't get that feeling that the Bengals are severely lacking a special teams need in their return game. At least not at the cost of a draft pick and over a million per year. Cosby was one of the best punt returners in the league last year and Scott returned a kickoff for a touchdown against the Steelers -- hey, that's all I need.
As for trading for Ginn, the Dolphins could be in a position to take anything that someone is willing to give them. The downside for that team is that whoever trades for Ginn will have to pick up his contract, with $1,035,833 due this year, $1,393,750 in 2011 and $1,801,667 in 2012 (which is a voidable year). Aside from roster bonuses and other incentives, the guaranteed money is likely already handed out.
It's one thing if he could be a productive receiver in the offense and then contribute on special teams. But for my money, a guy that's potentially explosive in the return game and mostly ineffective in the offense isn't much of an incentive. We already have what we need on the roster. Now if the Dolphins release Ginn, thus canceling the contract, the Bengals could sign Ginn to a minimal contract and create position battles in training camp.
Aside from that, there's nothing here that benefits Cincinnati. And this is coming from a Buckeyes fan.