Arizona Cardinals: Who is on a Hot Streak or a Cold Streak After Week 1?

Sep 8, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19) against the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cold streak: Ted Ginn (1)

Ginn , the Cardinals $9.5 million kick returner, returned three kickoffs for 49 yards, a 16.3 yard average. None of his returns made it to the 20-yard line.

Ouch.

Despite his receiving abilities, it isn’t a stretch to say that Ginn was primarily brought in to be the special teams go-to guy. The Cardinals were tied for last in the NFL with 20 return yards per kick last season, so obviously a replacement was necessary. Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and others could be doing that same job Ginn is doing, but as most of them are starters and crucial parts on the roster, risking them on special teams doesn’t make sense. Ginn appeared to be, and still appears to be, a great fit, but he can’t have more nights like that.

Whatever good things one can say about the offense under Carson Palmer. It has had consistency issues, confounded by the added pressure of make 80 or 90 yard drives.

Ginn didn’t do much to help that in Week 1, but hopefully that will change.