October 18, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) runs with the ball past Seattle Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson (26) during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

According to a source given to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with WR Ted Ginn Jr., on a one-year deal. The news comes as no surprise, as I have been told by my source weeks ago that Ginn was already looking for other destinations.

Ginn became dispensable once RB LaMichael James took over kickoff return duties mid-way through the season. Ginn did not offer much on the table, other than a return specialist, which greatly diminished his value. His chances of making the 49ers roster, became even less likely, after the 49ers signed WR Ricardo Lockette and trading for WR Anquan Boldin from the Baltimore Ravens.

In the end, it became a numbers game, as the 49ers already had WR Michael Crabtree, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Mario Manningham, WR Kyle Williams, WR A.J. Jenkins, and WR Ricardo Lockette at their disposal. With Ginn now off to the sunshine state, who will be the punt returner? Some candidates may include James, Williams, and CB Chris Culliver. Yes, that is right Culliver. He was a returner for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college, and did a good job in that role.

With Ginn moving on, that makes four players that have left the 2012 NFC Champions, the others being NT Isaac Sopoaga (Philadelphia Eagles), DE Ricky Jean-Francois (Indianapolis Colts), and TE Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans).

November 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back Rafael Bush (25) recovers a loose ball after San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) bobbled a kick return during second quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

I received word from one of my sources that WR Ted Ginn Jr. will not be re-signed when free-agency begins on March 12. Ginn, who has been a huge disappointment since being drafted 9th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, has been nothing more than a return specialist. In 2012, Ginn only recorded one receiving yard for the year. That’s right, one yard! Not good if you ask me, thus making him dispensable. In addition, RB LaMichael James had been primarily fielding kickoff duties further downgrading Ginn’s value.

In 2010, the Miami Dolphins gave up on the once promising player and traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round draft choice, which ended up being Nolan Carroll. You may be asking yourself who? And I don’t blame you, as the 49ers clearly received the better end of the deal.

With Ginn set to be on the market, which teams will be vying for his services? Per my source, his top three destinations include the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers, as he wants to be closer to home. Whether or not my source is right remains to be seen, but wherever he plays, you can bet your money it won’t be at Candlestick.

The Super Bowl is this Sunday and for the first time in a long time I will not enjoy it. Since the conclusion of Championship Sunday, all the sports networks are hyping and previewing the Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. I personally have hated it! All I can think of is it should be the San Francisco 49ers playing the Patriots. When I see DE Justin Tuck or QB Eli Manning being interviewed, I picture LB Patrick Willis or DE Justin Smith getting interviewed and wondering what could have been. It is clear that even though the Niner season is over my focus is still on them. My center of attention is towards the free agents. This is the business part of the NFL, deciding what players to keep and the players the organization wants to cut ties with. There are many players on the Niners roster that are noticeable free agents. Here are my top 5. (more…)