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Ted Ginn Jr. has drawn high praise since joining the Saints, including from quarterback Drew Brees. AP Photo/Derick E. Hingle

Mike Triplett
ESPN Staff Writer

METAIRIE, La. -- Obviously, the New Orleans Saints knew all about Ted Ginn Jr.’s speed when they signed him in free agency.

Ginn has been one of the NFL’s fastest players for a decade. And before that, he was an Olympic-caliber track star in high school whose relay team once beat a team featuring Usain Bolt.

Plus, the 32-year-old receiver has been especially dynamic against the Saints -- with catches of 55, 45 and 40 yards against them over the past two seasons while playing for the rival Carolina Panthers.

But all of that history hasn’t stopped the Saints from being dazzled now that they’re getting a look at Ginn up close and personal.

Coach Sean Payton said he got a text from strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple early in the offseason program, when players were running 200-yard sprints.

It simply read “TGIF.”

“It was on Friday, and I’m like, ‘What is this about?’” Payton recalled. “And he said, ‘Ted Ginn Is Fast.’”

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