Story by Doug Lesmerises
Cleveland Plain Dealer
April 5, 2006

Columbus--In the immediate aftermath of The Ohio State's
win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl three months ago,
Buckeye sophomore receiver Ted Ginn Jr. talked about his
future in Columbus with a singular reference, not a plural
one. Probably just a slip, but it may have been a
subliminal indication the former Glenville star is planning
on heading for the NFL after his junior season.

If so, he wasn't tipping his hand after the fourth practice
of the spring on Tuesday. Last August, Santonio Holmes
declared he was embarking on his "money season," played
well and left early for the NFL.

Is this your money year, Ted?

"I wouldn't say that," he said. "I would say that I've
still got two years left and I'm going to play as hard as I
can for me and for the seniors."

Let's say this then. With Holmes gone, Ginn is looking a
lot more like a player ready to absorb the Heisman hype
that started a season ago, a lot more like a complete
package on and off the field.

"There's a major difference right now in his receiver
play," tOSU receivers coach Darrell Hazell said. "I think
he understands things a whole lot better. He's asking more
questions. I think he was a little bit sitting in the wings
last year. Now he's stepped up and is making a lot of
plays.

"And he's a lot more vocal than you think he is. I think he
was afraid--maybe not afraid--but he did not step into that
role last year because Tone was there. But he's definitely
embraced it this year."

One thing that won't change is Ginn's position in the
offense. He'll remain out wide to the far side of the field
in what the Buckeyes refer to as the "Z" receiver spot,
while St. Ignatius grad Anthony Gonzalez should take over
Holmes' role in the "X" spot, with routes that are a little
more possession oriented.

Hazell said that's to keep Ginn comfortable and to best
take advantage of his skills, especially when defenses in a
zone put only one defender to that far side, figuring it's
a long, tough throw for Troy Smith to make. But when Smith
makes that pass quickly, Ginn can turn a 3-yard out into an
80-yard gain by beating one man.

On the current depth chart, Roy Hall, who will be a
fifth-year senior, is behind Gonzalez at the "X" spot, with
redshirt freshman Brian Hartline third. Backing up Ginn is
Chagrin Falls grad Brian Robiskie, who will be a sophomore,
and sophomore Albert Dukes.

Hall at this point would be on the field in three-receiver
sets, but Robiskie, No. 4 on the overall depth chart, is
still fighting for a bigger role, singled out by Hazell as
the most impressive of the group of young receivers.

"He looks like a veteran guy," Hazell said. "He's still
learning and making some young mistakes, but physically, he
looks like a veteran guy."

Those are the kind of mistakes Ginn has left behind.

"He's definitely more comfortable," Hall said. "He looks
more like a receiver."

After a season that included 51 catches for 803 yards and
four touchdowns, and a Fiesta Bowl of 240 total yards
rushing and receiving and two touchdowns, even Ginn, loathe
to extol his own virtues, acknowledges something big might
be coming.

"I'm not going to set my whole season on the Heisman. I'm
not going to set my whole season on leaving," he said. "I
feel more relaxed. I feel more calm."

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