Ginn still among 49ers' starting receiver options

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SANTA CLARA -- While Michael Crabtree is all alone on the 49ers' depth chart at one wide receiver spot, there's been an eitheror scenario on the other side.All the attention this training camp has been on additions Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. Quietly, Ted Ginn is listed first among the three receivers that coach Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers consider "starters."And that's exactly the way Ginn views himself, too.Ginn will earn a 49ers roster spot based primarily on his irreplaceable skills fielding punts and returning kickoffs. But he said he considers himself a wide receiver, first and foremost.After sitting out the offseason program with the same knee injury that kept him out of the NFC Championship, Ginn said he believes he has been given a fair chance during training camp to contribute as a wideout."Yeah, especially coming off the injury and not being able to be in OTAs and the different little spotlights that you'd be able to showcase yourself," Ginn said. "And come in as an older guy in camp, and everybody has been able to show what they have, and still be considered as a starter or in that elite group is a blessing."Ginn figures to be no worse than the 49ers' fourth wide receiver this season because he is virtually assured of suiting up for games because of his return contributions. The 49ers will probably suit up four receivers for games.Ginn, the ninth overall pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2007 draft, had his best season as a wide receiver in 2008 when he caught 56 passes for 790 yards. But since the 49ers acquired him in 2010 for a fifth-round pick, Ginn has seen a dramatic reduction in his receiving numbers.He caught 12 passes for 163 yards in 2010. He played in 14 games last season with three starts and managed only 19 receptions for 220 yards.Now with a stronger corps of receivers, Ginn is in an even bigger fight to get on the field."You got three or four first-round draft picks all on one squad," Ginn said. "They're great guys. We go out and compete and however it turns out, it'll turn out."As you get older, you start to mature and get wiser. The game is coming to you more and more. Just go out and keep competing and being in a system you have another with, I've been in systems where every year it changes. Just the understanding of it, makes you be who you can be."

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