National Football League

49ers counting on Ted Ginn Jr. to help return game

Published Aug. 12, 2010 11:07 p.m. ET

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Ted Ginn Jr. might get to do the very job he's wanted all along in his first season for San Francisco: double duty.

The versatile Ginn appears to be in good position to earn a spot as the No. 3 receiver behind starters Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan. Ginn also will be called upon in the return game for the 49ers, a special teams area that was among the worst in the NFL last season. He could even be returning both kickoffs and punts.

Upgrading the return game has been among coach Mike Singletary's top priorities heading into 2010.

''I just go out and I do what I do best. I love the game and I've been playing the game for a while,'' Ginn said Thursday. ''I've always been that guy who contributes, in any way and every way. That's what I want to do.''

Ginn is giving the Niners an early glimpse of just why they traded for him before the April draft. During Thursday morning's practice, he caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith in the left side of the end zone. Ginn has long been considered a guy who drops a lot of balls and he had his share in the early days of camp - though he seems to be on track now.

''I just had to get it down,'' Ginn said. ''Spending that time with Alex in the offseason and the time I spent with the coaches it gave me a better understanding and a better feel. Now it's just time to go out and play football.''

Special teams coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer isn't sure how many reps Ginn and the primary special teams players will have against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. He's not looking for any game-breaking plays - those would just be a bonus at this stage - but rather solid technique and fundamentals while applying the work that's been done so far.

''We want to see where we are right now,'' Schottenheimer said. ''We want to see them go out on the field and see where we are as far as execution. I'm excited about the people we have. I think we have a group of core performers. There's a lot of competition on this team, there's depth. When you have that, it gives you the opportunity to get a lot of people involved.''

San Francisco ranked last in the league in punt returns last season at 4.4 yards per return. The Niners were 23rd in kickoff returns with a 21.8-yard average, and their average start position after kicks at the 24.8 yard line ranked 26th in the NFL.

Schottenheimer doesn't expect a transformation overnight, either. He's implementing a new system and fresh ideas. All of that stuff takes time.

''You have to be patient,'' he said. ''They understand the importance of special teams. Coach Sing's been great saying that that's the reason he thought they won the championship in '85 as much as anything in Chicago. To have that experience and to have him talk about it, it really strikes a nerve with the players.''

As soon as he was traded from the Dolphins to the Niners on April 16, Ginn was eager to get started. He played catch with Alex Smith in a downpour one day in late April at team headquarters.

Ginn's speed as a receiver and return man could be a big help for an offense hurt by inconsistency during an 8-8 season last year - not to mention all the problems on special teams.

Ginn said from Day 1 he planned to contribute for San Francisco despite a disappointing run in South Florida.

That's all history now. He no longer even thinks of his days with the Dolphins or the heat he took for his lack of production. This is a much-needed fresh start across the country.

On Sunday, he'll suit up for the 49ers for the first time. Everybody is eager to see how that goes.

''I just want to just go out and have fun,'' Ginn said. ''It will be great to get a different feel of some guys, to be able to go out and show and see what I've got. Preseason, we love it. It just shows you what you've got and where you're at at this point. I just want to go out and grow from it. It's all a learning experience.''

Rookie returner Kyle Williams could be picking up punt return work, too.

Ginn has been helping Williams get acclimated to the NFL. Williams was a sixth-round pick this year out of Arizona State, where he earned All-Pac-10 honors as a punt returner.

''We have a good relationship, and he's basically taken me under his wing and given me kind of the little tricks and those tips and things about being back there,'' Williams said. ''He's been in the league and been very successful, so anything I can pick up from him will help me.''

Singletary isn't sure how the special teams unit will take shape for San Francisco's season opener Sept. 12 at Seattle, or how much he will be able to rely on Williams right away to handle punt return duties while keeping Ginn focused on kickoff returns.

''I think in an ideal situation, you would like to have that, but I think when it comes down to it, you want to win football games,'' Singletary said of limiting Ginn to kickoff returns. ''If Ginn can do both, he might be doing it.''

And there's no question Ginn is game to take on the responsibility.

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