Dolphins to Ted Ginn: 'Get Better'

All signs indicate that wide receiver Ted Ginn will see reduced playing time for the Dolphins on Sunday when Miami takes on the Jets. Ginn's starting spot has been in jeopardy recently because of a disappointing lack of production -- aside from an 11-catch, 108-yard performance in Week 2 at Indianapolis, Ginn has just seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown in Miami's five other games.

Despite his pending demotion, though, Ginn claimed that the team hasn't talked with him about marginalizing his role. Instead, according to Ginn, the coaches gave him a pep talk.

"It was more of a motivation talk," Ginn told the Miami Herald. "Get better. You have to get better. Do what you do but get better.''

Sorry, Tedd -- and, granted, I've never played on an NFL team -- but "Get better. You have to get better" is now what coaches say when you lock up the No. 1 role.

Now in his third year out of Ohio State, Ginn's been a constant source of disappointment for the Dolphins. His numbers aren't that awful, especially on a run-heavy team -- 108 catches for 1,400-plus yards -- but he's failed to develop into the game-breaking threat that the Dolphins thought he would. On paper, GInn looks like the perfect fit for Miami's Wildcat attack, but the Dolphins haven't been able to rely on him for production. His longest catch this season, 53 yards, also produced his only touchdown; he hasn't had a reception longer than 21 yards otherwise.

The most damning evidence supporting Miami's frustration with Ginn comes from a glance at the team's WR depth chart. There's really not a ton there, and the Dolphins came up frequently for wide receivers rumored to be on the market in the offseason and prior to the trade deadline.

Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo lead Miami in receptions with 26 and 19, respectively, but neither is a sensational talent. Rookie Brian Hartline, another Ohio State guy that will probably see an increase in reps with Ginn slumping, has made just 10 grabs.

Despite that, Ginn's inching closer to riding the pine -- whether he realizes it or not.

"It's not the first time I've been through it,'' he told the Herald. "All I can do is play the time they ask me to play and make the plays they ask me to make.''