Rating: (0 votes - average)

jeanpierre

BY JOEL A. ERICKSON | JERICKSON@THEADVOCATE.COM SEP 20, 2018 - 6:00 PM

As long as Ted Ginn Jr. has been in the NFL, he's been returning punts in the NFL.

A couple of fumbles forced the Saints to pull Ginn off of that duty a year ago.

But Ginn will likely be back in the saddle Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. With Tommylee Lewis on injured reserve because of the knee injury he suffered Sunday, Ginn is the most experienced punt returner on the roster.

"Ted Ginn's someone who's done it, and we've just got to get that gas can in his locker and get him going," Payton said. "He's someone that can give you some juice in that area."

Ginn opened last season as the team's primary punt returner, averaging 5.4 yards per return on 19 chances before fumbles forced the Saints to replace him with Lewis midway through the season.

"Over time, we've had situations where we've had other guys do it, but now that our numbers are a little low, that leaves it up to me," Ginn said.

Ginn has been catching punts in practice all camp, and he's got a lot of history. In his career, Ginn has returned 257 punts for 2,600 yards (10.1-yard average), although he has fumbled 16 times.

But he's not worried about getting back underneath a rocket from the sky.

"It's second nature," Ginn said. "It's still catching the football, it's just coming in a different way."

Beyond Ginn, the team's options get problematic. Backup quarterback Taysom Hill took over the kick-return job from Lewis last week and ripped off a 47-yard return in his only chance, showing what he can do in the open field.

But Hill is a neophyte return man — last week was the first time he'd ever returned a kick in a game — and catching punts is a lot more difficult than hauling in kicks. If Hill's going to take over as a punt returner, he's going to need some time to get used to catching those meteors coming out of the sky.

"It's still a work in progress," Payton said. "I know I'm comfortable with Alvin (Kamara) back there. ... And then pay intention to other guys that are working and guys outside the building."

New Orleans might have to wait to see the new punt returner do anything other than signal for fair catch. Atlanta punter Matt Bosher is one of the league's best at limiting returns.

"We're playing a punter this week who led the league in hang time last year, so he can be a challenge relative to just getting returns instead of fair catches," Payton said.

If Bosher gives Ginn a chance to return a punt in Atlanta this Sunday, the 33-year-old remains dangerous.

Ginn has returned four punts for touchdowns in his career, and although he's in his 12th season in the NFL, his performance on offense through the first two weeks is proof he's as explosive as ever. Ginn has nine catches for 123 yards in the first two weeks, plus a streaking touchdown against Tampa Bay and a 42-yard catch-and-run late against Cleveland.

If he gets some open field in front of him, Ginn can still turn on the jets.

"That's what made me who I am in this league," Ginn said. "That's what gave me my start."

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

CharityMike

Bringing Tate back seems like the most logical thing to do. Why risk a injury to our deep threat receiver. Just seems like a risk we don't need to do.

jeanpierre

It's kinda like the deal with my ex-wife who couldn't cook - she couldn't cook because she didn't want to do it...

We had one guy among the WRs who showed any eagerness in returning punts and it was Tate, and he did it well...

RailBoss

Brandon Tate is still out there, wait any longer and he will probably be signed in another City.

K Major

Sorry, just don't trust Ted Ginn Jr fielding punts ... never have.

ScottF

I like Ginn back there.

If Meredith can step up and Smith reaches his preseason heights, we actually have depth

IMO losing Tommy Lee is a blessing

foreverfan

Taysom Hill might turn into an insane punt returner.

ChrisXVI

I can’t stand Ted Ginn returning punts. I hate the way he holds the ball in one hand out away from his body when he’s in open space.

dizzle88

Can't catch punts and if he miraculously does, he holds it out for defenders to grab at.