The Carolina Panthers are trying to add more weapons on offense in order to help Cam Newton have a more successful year. With marquee targets like Mike Wallace and Wes Welker off the board, teams are starting to look at utility man, Ted Ginn. While the Cincinnati Bengals have expressed interest in signing Ginn, the free agent took a trip to the Carolina Panthers and head coach Ron Rivera made hints that the team would reach a deal with him very soon.
Ginn was a standout kick returner during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, but played a very limited role on offense. Ginn said he was looking to sign with a team where he could play a larger role as a wide receiver, not just a return man. Last season as a receiver he had two catches for one yard. However he racked up 326 yards on 32 punt returns and 253 yards on 11 kickoff returns. He became known as a one-trick pony and the 49ers decided to not re-sign him.
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera believes that Ginn can be a real asset to a team looking for more versatility and depth.
"The interested thing about Ted is he gives us some depth at wide receiver who can challenge for playing time opportunity. But also he's got special teams value, which is big. He's an explosive guy coming off the line of scrimmage, too. So there's some huge pluses for us as far as hoping to be able to bring a guy like that into the fold," Rivera said.
Cincinnati has also been trying to strike up a deal with Ginn. Head coach Marvin Lewis said the team has not closed the door on the idea of signing Ginn. He is from Northern Ohio, so playing for the Bengals would be closer to home for him. Cincinnati wants a return specialist to replace free agent Brandon Tate who is likely not coming back to the team.
