Arizona Cardinals GM: Game-winning punt return TD is why we signed Ted Ginn, Jr.

To say Ted Ginn, Jr.’s start with the Arizona Cardinals had been unimpressive would be accurate, if not an understatement.

Seven quarters into his three-year contract with the team, the receiver had caught just two passes, averaged a paltry 15.4 yards per kick return and had yet to make an impact returning punts.

Then, in the fourth quarter on the road against the New York Giants with his team trailing by one, he took a Sean Wetherford punt back 71 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

“That’s exactly why,” Cardinals GM Steve Keim told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday when asked if that’s the reason the team inked Ginn in free agency.

Keim noted that head coach Bruce Arians had voiced some concerns over Ginn’s production — especially as a kick returner — but what you saw on that return is what Ginn is able to do.

“But that’s exactly why we signed Ted, and that was to change field position and to create explosive plays,” the GM said. “And that’s certainly what he did for us [Sunday].”

In his career, Ginn has averaged 23.1 yards per kick return, with three scores, as well as 11.5 yards per punt return with four touchdowns. His game-winning touchdown Sunday was the Cardinals’ first score in the return game since 2011, when Patrick Peterson reached the end zone four times.

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