Q: Ted Ginn may have had 108 yds but what about yards after catch? He plays way too soft. His first failed attempt at a catch in the end zone seemed like he had “alligator arms” and legs.” Are the yards after catch so poor because of the receiver? Is Pennington not putting the ball in a spot that they can’t run after the catch or is it the design of the play? Dennis, Huntington, N.Y.

A: Dennis, some receivers religiously turn the ball upfield after each catch and some go looking for the safety of the sideline. Ginn, at this stage of his career, clearly remains in the latter camp, and that’s not a good thing. Ginn actually ducked out of bounds one yard shy of the first down, with no defenders within three yards, on a 9-yard grab on first and 10 from the minus 35 with about 1:40 remaining. Yes, you want to make sure you get out of bounds in that situation, but is it too much to ask to pick up the first down too?

There’s not much there saying Ginn is scared to take a hit but it does make you wonder, doesn’t it? With under two minutes remaining there are plenty of players whose first thoughts are get out of bounds and save time, then pick up an extra yard or two first.

I’m not going to lie, I haven’t seen either Dolphins game this season but looking at the numbers there is a disturbing trend. Since Ginn’s rookie season his YAC (Yards After Catch) average has dropped every single season.

2007 he caught 34 balls and averaged 5.1 yac.
2008 he caught 56 balls and averaged 3.8 yac.
2009 he’s already caught 13 balls but is averaging only 0.5 yac.

Yes that was a 0.5 yards after catch average. Do the math, he’s only gained 6.5 yards after catches this season. That can mean one of two things.

1. Chad Pennington is throwing the ball into too much coverage and Ginn is being tackled as soon as he catches the ball

or

2. Ginn makes the catch and looks for the sideline, or goes down himself immediately.

I’m thinking its a little bit of both this year, but you have to wonder if Ginn is looking more for the sidelines then the end zone. If that minuscule yac average was just this year you may go ok, its been two games he’s just doing what he can to help the team win.

BUT, seeing a considerable drop each year over three seasons you really have to think he’s looking for the sidelines.

Regardless, Ginn is turning into a major player in the Dolphins offense. Pennington is looking his way A LOT, against the Colts he had 16 balls thrown his way. Even with the lack of yardage he’s a must start for any fantasy team and a player every defense has to worry about.

If you’re a Dolphins fan or in San Diego for this weeks game let me know what you think of Ginn’s performance and if he really is looking to avoid the big hit.

“I don’t see us using him in the seventh or eighth inning,” Manuel said. “I look at him as a closer. That’s kind of where he fits. I see him pitching once he needs work. If we’re behind in the game or we’re ahead or something by a good margin we’ll get him to make sure he pitches live in the game. He needs to get work where he can command his pitches and he feels good about himself. I agree that he needs work like that. That’s kind of what he wants. I don’t know how much work like that from here to the end of the season we can get him.”

So, the Phillies are planning on using Lidge in lower level stress situations to get his confidence back. Only thing I wonder is what took so long?

They’ve got a little less then a month till the playoffs begin and they’re going to try and fix the problems now? What if there aren’t enough situations in that stretch to put him in to help cure his ailments?

Personally, I’d say it doesn’t look good for him being the teams closer, at least this year. Manager Charlie Manuel feels differently.

“He could close,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “He hasn’t lost nothing. I’m telling you right now, he definitely can still close. I see where he could be our everyday closer again. Yeah, of course.”

I’ve seriously got my doubts if he can be. He may of been Lightsout Lidge last year, but all along I kept saying that’s not the real Brad Lidge.

People at work hate me for it because I say NOW they’ve got the real Brad Lidge, the one that Houston ran out of town. But this, this season has been even worse then his bad years in Houston. He’s got a 7.11 era with a 0-7 record and 10 blown saves (a career high).

I will give the Lidge credit thou, he wants to work and fix what’s wrong. I’m glad to see he has that pride to not want to fail.

“It’s real simple,” Lidge said. “Just get me work to get me where I need to be. That’s about it. I told him, ‘Listen, whatever you need to do, I’ll be ready to take the ball at any time.’ I told him it doesn’t need to be a save situation.’”

In the meantime, expect Ryan Madson to take over the closing role, with Brett Myers moving into more of a setup role. Personally, I’d leave Ryan where he’s been, doing what he does best keeping a game in tact and letting Myers close it out. Reason? Myers has been there before and knows what it takes in big games to close it out.

It’s a trying situation but Charlie Manuel is showing why he is one of the most underrated coaches in baseball. He’s playing mind games with Lidge. Neither Madson or Myers will be named closer, or temporary closer. He wants Lidge to know it’s his job when he’s ready for it.

No Guts, No Glory – Sam Bradford Will Autograph Just About Anything, Including Your Newborn
Josh Q Public – Pedro’s Back
Babes Love Baseball – Yankees Cut Off Wang
Major League Jerk – Baseball Rules I’d Change: Part One in a Series

Great Moments In Christory – 4 bad reactions to getting fired
Sharapova’s Thigh – Brett Favre The Best Fantasy Football Player Ever?
Midwest Sports Fan – So, Where Will Brett Favre End Up Signing Midseason?
The Angry T – Alessia Filippi Wins 1500m, Frederica Pelligrini sets Record at the World Championship Look Really Hot Doing IT

Awful Announcing – CBS To “Embed” Reporters On Every NFL Team, For Live Reports
Fantasy Pros 911 – Top Ten Worst Excuses and Injuries
Hail Mary Jane – Coolest Mascot Ever!
Bleeding Green Nation – The Linc – Jim Johnson 1941-2009

Midwest Sports Fan – 80s Music Video Faceoff: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley vs Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey
Zoner Sports – Uniform From The Last Cubs World Series Win
Josh Q Public – Here Comes Ryan Howard!
Hugging Harold Reynolds – Shawne “Hitch” Merriman

In Game Now – Girls of the 2009 ESPYs
PSAMP – Furries Are Infiltrating Pittsburgh Sports At An Alarming Rate
The Friendly Blogfines – Cubs’ Signing Of B.J. Ryan The Definition Of A Low Risk/High Reward Move
Hail Mary Jane – 10 Incredible Beer Pong Trick Shot Videos

Intentional Foul – DeMar DeRozan Goes Air Canada on Joe Alexander
Fanhouse – With Loss of Dwyane Wade, Converse Might Be Officially Dead
Moon Dog Sports – Miranda Kerr New Victoria’s Secret Photos
Sports Rubbish – Dundee FC’s Stadium Invaded By Foxes

StraitPinkie – Brooklyn Decker…UH YUMP!!!
Life on Dumars – Which Recent Piston Will You Enjoy Watching the Most in Different Colors in 09?
NESW Sports – Top 10 NBA Buzzer Beaters of 2009 Season, Video

Steady Burn – U.S. Soccer Releases Michael Jackson Tribute Jersey
Fansided – The Whitewashing Of The Indiana Pacers
Pacman Jonesin – What if America Had Won the Confed Cup?
Moon Dog Sports – The Five Most Underrated Players in the NFL

Josh Q Public – Tommy Hanson: One For The Ages
Hugging Harold Reynolds – Re-capping @jemelehill’s Vodka-Induced, Un-Funny, Stereotype-Laden BET Awards Recap
Cuzoogle – Went to a baseball game and a football game broke out
The World of Isaac – Mariners GM Takes Advice From Fans

Gunaxin – Bill Simmons: NBA GM
No Guts, No Glory – Ranking NBA Decades By #1 Draft Picks

Steady Burn – Blogger Poll: What’s My Earliest Sports Memory?
PSAMP – Yeah, There Are Steelers Fans In Iran
Major League Jerk – Let’s Play the Steroid Speculation Game
Sports Poop – Morning wood: Thanks for nothing, UFL

The World of Isaac – Shame On The USGA
Hugging Harold Reynolds – Who’s Your Daddy?
Sports Rubbish – Maria Sharapova Flashing
Gunaxin – Top Ten Athletes With Illegitimate Kids

Josh Q Public – Jim Tracy: Six Two And Even!
Raptors Republic – Who the **** is Giorgos Printezis?
Intentional Foul – Kareem Answers Some Questions
Fansided – Year One: “Rebuilding Process” Fan Survival Guide

Sports Rubbish – Pro Skateboarder Apologizes For Preaching Naked On His Rooftop While On Shrooms
Beer Googles – Got Ink?
Steady Burn – Poll Results: Top-5 Conan Sports Figure Look-alikes
Hugging Harold Reynolds – CR Dunbar’s Belmont Stakes Preview

Sharapova’s Thigh – Random Retro Baseball Player: Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens
Joe Sports Fan – Ep. 16 of the JoeSportsFan Show Now Available
NE Patriots Draft – Rodney Harrison: Still Hitting Hard
Major League Jerk – My New Favorite Sport: Baby Racing

No Guts, No Glory – Randy Johnson’s Road To 300, Every Mullet And Mustache Along The Way
Josh Q Public – Fun Facts: Randy Johnson & His 300 Wins
Talk Hoops – Cross Polination: Emails With Both Teams Played Hard, NBA Finals Preview
Strait Pinkie – Carlee Ranger…UH YUMP!!!

Hail Mary Jane – Who Would Win In A Fight: Gary Coleman vs Vern Troyer
Raise the Jolly Roger – Who needs Nate? [Mets 6 Pirates 11]
So Yoked – Lebron Fined For Snub; Could Care Less
Razzball – Have the Wandwagon’s Wheels Come Off?

Blaze of Love – Jerome Kersey and Get Fit By Finals Give $1,000 to Aloha High
Hugging Harold Reynolds – John Maine pulls a Donovan McNabb pulling a Willie Beamen
NESW Sports – Mike Golic Skips First Pitch for Indians, Video
Sharapova’s Thigh – Crazy Stats & More From The BC-Texas NCAA Record 25-Inning Baseball Game

Fansided – 100 Things Stern Would Enjoy More Than A LeBron-less Finals
The World of Isaac – Sharapova’s Trainer Has A Great Job
lenNY’s Yankees – 2009 May Awards
Raise the Jolly Roger – Mysterious Offense [Astros 2 Pirates 1]

Sport Ramble – Random Two Cents–MLB Edition
Friar Forecast – Brewers Fans are Embracing Trevor Time
Pistons Nation – LeBron’s walkout Vs. the ‘91 Bad Boys
Roy Jordan’s Pick ‘N Roll – Look past the stars to the unsung heroes