22 Comments
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JohnnyLondon's avatar

Frank Ginda - that’s a proper old school scary gridiron name. You can imagine a snorting Frank Ginda lining up next to a rabid Dick Butkus - enough to make a little pee come out of any prospective running back’s shorts.

Brandon Browner came out of the CFL to knock the living snot out of any receiver foolish to be within twenty yards of him, maybe Ginda can do likewise to the poor sap the opposition sticks back to see to field punts.

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Woodstock's avatar

Thanks Joe for your sense of humor. 😀

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Dale's avatar

This dude sounds like the perfect PCJS hidden gem. He could be super capable, but just is not ‘known’ by anyone at the higher levels. I’ve seen it before when a player is capable at the level, but because he doesn’t know anyone and everyone is fighting for spots, he struggles to communicate with people and is seen as a bit of a loner. This leads people to think he won’t fit into a team environment, so gets delisted. For Ginta’s sake, I hope that’s been true and PCJS see through it and he becomes one of our great surprises. He’s certainly got the persistence and grit to keep trying. He may also have the required chip on his shoulder that PCJS so desperately love. Good luck you young man!

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Doug's avatar

I thought the 90th slot was for re-signing Shelby once cap space was cleared, but maybe not. This kid would be worth a chance--the floor would be a good addition to ST and the ceiling would be (with some help from Glinda) a great Mike backup or maybe even starter. It's nice to see some PBs and INTs on his resume to go along with the tackles. He has hope.

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Village Idiot's avatar

I'm curious as to why Roster Slot 90 has been held open so long. It doesn't seem normal, but maybe I just haven't paid close enough attention over the years.

Pretty sure they weren't just hanging around for Mr. Ginda to wake up from a nap.

I don't think it was cap management. That slot won't likely be in the top 50. Or is that 51? I forget which, if either. Does that limit even still apply?

It could have been a "signal" to somebody currently unsigned that WOULD count for the cap, but that would be a risk. Mr. Bellore has, I think, been willing to take that risk in the past, but it clearly isn't him. Who would do it at this point in the off-season?

It could be simple laziness on the part of management. I'm thinking that's out of character.

It could be they just didn't see anybody worth signing, but that doesn't seem right, either.

It could be that I'm just an idiot, but we've already covered that in spades.

Thoughts, y'all?

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Grant's avatar

They were gonna sign this one guy, but he signed with the Browns.

Then there was this other guy, but he hurt his ankle playing in the Denver Summer Ultimate League.

Then Will Dissly's nephew's (the first person to call him Uncle Will) football coach knew a kid that they we going to try out, but he ended up being a fictional person that Nick Bellore made up.

Finally they decided the USFL was the last best chance to fill roster spot #90, and the Ginda mini origin story came to be.

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Village Idiot's avatar

Dang.

I was hoping that they were just jerking Ken around for the entertainment value.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Clearly I tried to type "phenomenal" there. Stupid smart phone.

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Village Idiot's avatar

Oddly, it came off more like a smart stupid phone.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Wouldn't that be just phenomal...

JS: Hey, Pete, let's just leave spot 90 open for awhile to make some media folks chase their tails.

PC: *gum popping* brilliant.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

They'll have to trim 90 down to 53 at the end of preseason. I agree, it seems odd to not have 90 and then swap out the few guys at the bottom as they get access to better guys. It's what happens all the time on other teams and even on ours.

It doesn't seem likely they would leave it open as a sign to someone out there who is looking to either switch teams (Chris Jones?) or to sign on with a team (Kareem Hunt, et. al). Those guys all know a team who wants them will cut someone for them. Likewise, someone like Igwebuike who we might be talking to still.

I don't have any answers, but it doesn't quite fit. Maybe it's just as simple as they haven't been in a rush when it's player 90.

Either way, like a lot of y'all, I always love to see a good underdog story, and I thought i'd respond to your request to the community to chime in, by chiming in with a big, "beats me".

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Village Idiot's avatar

Are you SURE we aren't related?

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Absolutely not. I am sure of very few things.

Also, I always think EVERYTHING is a trap... that is why i'm still alive.

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Maxx's avatar

My biggest concerns for the defense this upcoming season are being able to stop the run and missed tackles. I don't think they've done enough to address that. While Ginda's production at every level below the NFL has been excellent, the fact remains that he hasn't been able to make a final roster in the NFL and we don't know why. If the team signs him we'll either find out why or find yet another diamond in the rough.

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Shaymus McFamous's avatar

Like most things in life, making a roster is subjective. I know that there are a TON of people who play football in this country, and there are some who fall through the cracks. Just like players who don't impress on an NFL roster, but then do well at other places, opportunity and fit have a lot to do with success at this level, because when talent becomes fairly similar at the highest human levels, the only things that differentiate players are mental acuity, determination, and situation. This guy sure sounds like a JSPC kinda guy. I agree with and "liked" other posts that speculated he could replace Bellore or be someone like him, at least... and cheaper. All that's left is for JSPC to give him the eye test and make sure he IS their type of guy. 🤞

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Maxx's avatar

Agreed! And as you said about mental acuity, my thoughts about him when reading the article were that maybe he's a head case and a negative influence in the locker room. Of course that's speculation and the eye test will scope it out. I certainly hope he's not any of that. For his sake and his success.

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Ray's avatar

I went to a Seattle High School with a guy that was sort of, kind of, a little bit like Frank Ginda, except my guy wasn't that good. Went to a college in Montana, tried out, but didn't get signed to a couple of NFL teams, played in Canada for a few years and went on to make a living as a Rodeo Cowboy. Yeah Frank, I'm cheering for you. I'd love to see you on the 53.

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Flurb's avatar

FAS-cinating - all this accomplishment and he’s battling for the 90th spot.

Sounds like a great special teams guy (assuming special teams continue, aren’t minimized)

Thanks 1600 Seaside Joe!

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zezinhom400's avatar

Man...doesn’t he strike you as a special teams captain and potential $4m cap savings by replacing Nick Bellore?

Bellore was out of Central Michigan (not exactly Power 5), is 6’1 245 with a 4.84 40 and 23 bench reps....

A post-June cut is $1.45m cap savings and only leaves $1.15 in dead money.

I really like Bellore but for the life of me can’t figure out why he cost $4m and why someone like Frank Ginda couldn’t be out there.

Hell Ginda was even a 1000yd RB in high school, sounds like he could be Seattle’s FB too. You know, for the 3 plays per year when they line up a fullback🤣

And c’mon, isn’t a name like “Frank Ginda” destined for fireplug battering ram notoriety??

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Charlie Gage's avatar

To your final question, (this is too easy) Frank-ly yes.

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zezinhom400's avatar

🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Joe's avatar

I would love to see a player like this finally make it. I love a good underdog story.

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