EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings finally are getting a visit from a free-agent wide receiver.
Ted Ginn, who played the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, reportedly visited the Vikings facilities Tuesday. The St. Paul Pioneer Press said Ginn, 26, and the No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 draft, was in Minnesota.
Ginn doesn't fit the mold of a true No. 1 receiver but could be a deep threat to at least stretch the field and take the pressure off of Percy Harvin and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and newly signed John Carlson. Ginn, however, could play a larger role as a punt and kick returner, saving Harvin the wear and tear of playing on special teams. Minnesota has been hesitant to subject Harvin to the punishment in the return game the past few seasons, though he's been a standout returner when given the chance.
Ginn had only 19 catches for 220 yards last season and only 31 in two seasons with San Francisco, but he did average 42.6 catches and 13 yards per catch his first three seasons with Miami.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Ginn has 23.2 yards per kick return and 11.2 per punt return in his five-year career with six combined touchdowns. Harvin averaged 32.5 yards per kick return last season but only had 16 total returns. Marcus Sherels ended up returning kicks and punts for Minnesota at the end of last season, averaging 27.8 per kick return and 8.4 yards on punt returns.
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