After being recruited to Ohio State as a DB, Ted Ginn Jr dabbled in playing WR during his Freshman campaign in 2004.
Displaying dangerous speed and body balance Ginn was such a factor on offense, he moved to it fulltime in 2005, while also picking up return duties.
Over three years at Ohio State, Ginn had 135 receptions for 1,943 yards and 15 TDs, 213 yards rushing, 1,012 returning (38 kickoffs) and 64 punt returns for 900 yards and 6 TDs.
Selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 9th overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Functioned in much the same capacity with the Dolphins his rookie year, catching 34 passes for 420 yards and 2 TDs, 63 kick returns for 1,433 yards, and 24 punt returns for 230 yards and an 87 yard franchise tying record PR TD in his rookie campaign.
In 2008 had 56 catches for 790 yards and 2 TDs, 32 kick returns for 657 yards, and 7 punt returns.
Mistakes began to pile up in 2009, as Ginn who already suffered from fumble-itis, developed a case of the dropsies.
Although he had 1,826 all purpose yards that season, he was traded to the ‘9ers in 2010 for a 5th round pick.
Confined mainly to special teams, Ginn shined in 2011 in that capacity.
Had 268 total return yards against Seattle, scoring on a 102 yard kickoff and then returning a punt 59 seconds later for a TD- unheard of in NFL history.
Signed with the Panthers in 2013 and saw more playing time back at WR.
Had 36 receptions for 556 yards and 5 TDs.
Signed by the Cardinals the following season, and had perhaps his most disappointing season with less than 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Returned to the Panthers in 2015 and posted a career high 10 TD catches on 44 receptions.
Signed with the Saints in 2017 and played with the franchise through the 2019 season.
Played with the Bears in 2020, but was released before the season ended.
Retired from playing football in 2021, and transitioned into coaching.
In 2025 was named head coach of the UFL Columbus Aviators and went 3-6 in his first campaign.
ACCOLADES:
All-Rookie Team 2007
Pro Bowl 2007
NOTES:
Had to move fast on this one when I saw that Ginn was signing through the Aviators while the season was winding down. Pleasantly surprised to receive it back during the league offseason.
Michael Walter played high school football on a whim his senior season and got recruited to play at Oregon in 1980.
He initially started as an LB before transitioning to DE midway through his Freshman campaign.
Really came on as a Senior, when he had 18 TFL and 13 sacks.
Selected in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.
Converted to LB, but played sparingly, mainly on special teams.
After drafting a bunch of linebackers in the ’84 draft, Walter was cut.
Signed with the San Fransisco 49ers the next day, and was moved to ILB.
Became a regular starter the following season.
Led the ‘9ers in tackles from 1987-’89.
Picked off John Elway during Super Bowl XXIV as the ‘9ers cruised to a 55-10 win over the Broncos.
With Ken Norton Jr signed by SF in 1994, Michael was not resigned by the team and opted to retire.
NOTES:
Mike is one of the few NFL players to have donned pads for both Tom Landry and Bill Walsh. He appears in both Tecmo Bowl and its sequel Tecmo Super Bowl for the 49ers.
CARDS: Pro Set 1991 HoF Photo Contest, Fleer 1990, Score 1992, Playbook ACQUIRED: TTM 2022, C/o Home SENT: 6/13/22 RECEIVED: 6/24/22 (11 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Mike Mularkey played college ball at Florida from 1980 to ’82.
He caught 55 passes for 628 yards and 3 TDs over his college career.
In 1983 signed with the San Fransisco 49ers as a 9th round pick, but ultimately finished the season on the roster of the Minnesota Vikings.
Caught first TD pass against Buccaneers in 1984, for one yard.
Known as a blocking TE, played for the Vikings through the ’88 season, catching 42 passes for 464 yards and 5 TDs.
Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 and had a career high 22 receptions for 326 yards and a TD.
Recorded career highs again in ’90 catching 32 receptions for 365 yards and 3 TDs.
Retired after the 1991 season.
After a year off, went into coaching with Concordia University (MN) and was there for two years.
Quickly moved back to the NFL in 1994 working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a quality control and then later a TE coach.
Returned to Pittsburgh in ’96 as a TE coach, and then later as the offensive coordinator (2001-’03).
In 2004 took his first head coaching job in Buffalo and coached the team to a 14-18 record over two seasons as the team had to manage a QB controversy in 2005.
After an odd season with the Nick Saban Dolphins as OC in 2006, and then Cam Cameron as his TE coach in 2007, Mike hopped over to the Falcons in 2008 where he was OC again.
Head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season in 2012, posting a 2-14 record.
Stayed in the AFC South as the TE coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2013.
Then after Ken Whisenhunt was fired during the season in 2015, Mularkey finished out the season, posting a 2-7 record.
Kept on board as the HC, Whisenhunt rebuilt the Titans, and in 2016 and 2017 posted a 9-7 record- making the playoffs in the latter.
Served as a TE coach for the Falcons in 2019, retiring from coaching after the season.
ACCOLADES:
Assistant Coach of the Year 2001
Offensive Coordinator of the Year 2010
NOTES:
Yes! What a play drawn up by Mike! Randle El Shovel 68 (Pitch to Randle El. Shovel to Jerome.) Pretty neat! He even wrote in a few player names including Bettis, Hines, Kordell Stewart and Randle El. So we know for certain this play came from his golden era with the Steelers between 2001-’03. Mike’s nickname ‘Inspector Gadget’ came from his penchant for gadget plays during his time with Pittsburgh.
To be honest, Mike got no respect. I remember when the Titans hired him as their head coach, everyone, even flaming tacks fans were snickering or uninspired by the choice- but much to Mike’s credit, he did build a successful team, and then he was run out of town.. after making the playoffs!
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
