Ginn, Hagan to get their shot

Their Jerseys hang in the stadium locker room.  Their helmets sit on the shelf above.  Ted Ginn, the surprise 9th overall pick of the Miami Dolphins in last Aprils’ draft and Derek Hagan the 3rd round 2nd year veteran who has seen little time on the field will get their shot.

The departure of Chambers has provided them their first big opportunity.

Ginn has been under a microscope since being taken ahead of QB Brady Quinn, DL Amobi Okoye, and LB Patrick Willis.  Cam Cameron was greeted with a chorus of boos as he announced the pick to a splattering of fans.  We were told that Ginn would make us proud and Cameron spoke of Ginns contributions to the return game.

Thus far, Ted Gin has recorded a 7 yard punt return average and 25 yards per kick return.  He has one KR for a TD that was called back…ironically by a penalty on Hagan.

The WR position is one of the hardest spots for incoming rookies to learn.  Guys like Marques Colston are the rare exceptions.  Overall number 2 pick and highly touted WR Calvin Johnson has put up less than stellar numbers in Detroit.  Now, Ginn will see more time in the rotation at wide receiver.  He and Hagan both will give the Dolphins a glimpse into what the future may hold.  Randy Mueller spoke to a spattering of media members on Tuesday afternoon and said that both Ginn and Hagan have shown enough to warrant them moving up and getting more playing time.

Hagan has been as inconsistent as Chris Chambers was in his Miami career.  He drops passes that he should catch and will occasionally make the ones he shouldn’t.  His route running is not bad and he seems to be able to get separation, but that means nothing if your hands lean towards the stone side of things.

When the Dolphins line up on Sunday against the Patriots, they will likely be received by a chorus of boos…in their own home.  Wes Welker sits on the other side of the field in his first meeting with his old team, and still, many fans are furious with the Dolphins for trading him…especially to a bitter rival.

It is not known who will gain the most time from this change in personnel for the Phins, will it be Ginn and his high speed sprinting to loosen up a defense?  Or will it be Derek Hagan and his mid-range work that will get the bulk?  Who will be the number 3 WR and who will be activated to play the 4th spot?  A lot of questions surrounding one simple trade.

It may be too early to fully judge Ted Ginn this year, Hagan is a different story and his production could provide some insight right away as to his future with the team.  Cameron did not have stellar WR’s in SD and it appears that he will not have any now.  Not that at 0-6 it really matters.

Perhaps the biggest hook to all of this is the future of Randy Mueller.  A total flop of Ted Ginn below the expectations of any “normal” rookie WR and Mueller will have to do some explaining.  If both Ginn and Hagan flop miserably, Mueller will have to answer for the trade of Chambers as well.  It could spell the end of Mueller in Miami should that happen.

We will start to find out on Sunday.