EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A week after he dropped three passes in a loss to the Saints, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. officially has lost his starting job for today’s visit to the New York Jets.
Rookie Brian Hartline will replace Ginn, who bobbled a pass that lead to a interception for a Saints’ TD, dropped a first-down throw late in the game and didn’t come up with a pass in the end zone.
The performance was the low point of Ginn’s career and drew heavy criticism, much of it vitriolic, from fans.
Thursday, Ginn said he understood why.
“You’re in a high-performance business,” Ginn said. “If you don’t understand what people want out of you, then you shouldn’t be in this game.”
Hartline, on the other hand, had a 67-yard catch that set up the Dolphins’ final touchdown during a 46-34 loss.
Ginn said he didn’t know whether his performance cost him a spot in the starting lineup.
Offensive coordinator Dan Henning said either way Ginn would be among the team’s four-receiver rotation.
Henning also made the absurd claim that “Ted Ginn made less mistakes in that game than at least nine other players on the offense.”
How many chance Ginn receives today will be something to watch.
The week after he dropped the potential game-winning touchdown Sept. 21 against the Colts, Ginn played just 19 snaps against the Bills.
In other news, LB Matt Roth will be active for the first time this season. Roth missed training camp with an off-season groin injury, leading the team to place him on the non-football injury list, which sidelined him for the first six weeks of the season.
Also, Reggie Torbor will make his first start of the season as Channing Crowder sits out with a shoulder injury.
On the Jets side, cornerback Lito Sheppard is out with a leg injury.
Joining Crowder on the Dolphins’ inactive list are QB Tyler Thigpen, running back Kory Sheets, offensive tackle Andrew Gardner, defensive end Lionel Dotson, offensive tackle Lydon Murtha, wide receiver Pat Turner and linebacker Quentin Moses.
