Professor

A day of debuts for state rivals -- OrlandoSentinel.com

excerpt:

JACKSONVILLE - Ted Ginn Jr. and Dirk Koetter have one thing in common. They have exactly the same amount of NFL experience.

Which makes tonight at Dolphin Stadium opening night for both of them, even if Miami vs. Jacksonville is only an exhibition opener.

But because it's exhibition time, Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio has much more interest in one newbie than the other. Hint: It's not Miami's first-round draft pick.

Tonight marks the unofficial unveiling of the Jags' new offense, the pass-friendly attack Koetter brought with him from Arizona State. It is billed as a more explosive offense than the Jags had a year ago, the one that hit the Dolphins for four big plays in a 31-26 exhibition victory.

"I think we are ready to take this offense and play against another team," Jags receiver Dennis Northcutt said. "We've been playing really good against our defense. I think from the offseason when the offense was first put in up until now, second time learning it, we are looking pretty good."

Said Jags quarterback Byron Leftwich: "Everybody just wants an opportunity to go out and play against different guys. Just get back on the field."

Leftwich especially. He hasn't taken a game snap since October. He missed the final 10 games with an ankle injury that eventually required surgery.

But Leftwich will play just about 15 plays tonight, Del Rio said, leaving more work ahead for him to work with a new set of receivers: Northcutt, tight end Jermaine Wiggins, Charles Sharon and rookies Mike Walker and John Broussard. With Ernest Wilford (knee) on the mend, Matt Jones and Reggie Williams are experienced returnees.

Backup David Garrard will take 15 to 20 snaps, leaving the rest of the game for backups Quinn Gray, Tim Couch and rookie Lester Ricard.

"I'm eager to see us play every day," said Del Rio, whose franchise is 3-1 vs. Miami in exhibition games. "I think Saturday night will be another opportunity to do that. We're really gearing toward the opening of the season to what we really want to do for 2007. But every time we step on the field, we want to perform well. We're looking for consistency and development in key areas for what we're going to have for the season."

Tonight also marks the debut for Ginn, the ninth overall pick. His speed has been evident during training camp, and he likely will be matched up against Jacksonville's younger defensive backs.

"We want to put guys in as many one-on-one matchups as we can," Miami Coach Cam Cameron said. "We really want to make it as difficult on them [younger players] in the first game as we can so that we can get a true evaluation."

__________________