Inside the room where Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. studies film each day, there is an old action photo of a man whose storied career ended one year after Ginn was born. The face still looks familiar to him. Younger but familiar.

``I don't know if it's a picture of a big play or a normal catch,'' Ginn said. ``But it reminds me what that man did here. It reminds you that we're constantly around a guy who knows what he's talking about.''

The man in the photo is Nat Moore, the Dolphins' great who played 13 years as a favorite target for Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and Bob Griese.

These days, Moore still hangs out at Dolphins camp daily, serving as the liaison between Miami's prestigious alumni and the organization. But it has been his relationship with Ginn, a bond that has nothing to do with his job responsibilities, that truly seems to bridge a gap between the past and the present.

``Nat always comes over to talk to me, almost every day,'' Ginn said. ``If he feels like I'm down, he tries to pump me up. If he feels like I'm moving slow, he tries to get me to move faster. He's a big inspiration and a big motivator.''

Ginn said he realizes that Moore supports him, mainly because of the interaction the two share around the facility. But it makes on wonder whether the third-year receiver actually realizes how often Moore supports him publicly.

On countless occasions, whether during a behind-the-scenes debate between reporters about Ginn's ability or at a speaking engagement with Dolphins fans, Moore will argue on his behalf for as long as you are willing to listen.

MOORE TO THE DEFENSE

Ginn isn't aggressive enough? ``Everyone wants him to become a macho man, and that's just not fair. Hell, [Mark] Duper stepped out of bounds. I stepped out of bounds. There are certain times when you sacrifice your body -- and certain times when you don't.''

Ginn isn't living up to his draft status? ``We have so many people blaming this kid because he was the ninth pick! Let's look at his body of work. If you look at the opportunities, his actual playing time, you realize he still led the team in receiving and scored touchdowns running with the football and catching it. He does a lot more than the average receiver around the league.''

Ginn is taking too long to progress? ``This is his second year with the same system, the same coaches, the same offensive coordinator. How many quarterbacks has he had?''

You are probably starting to get the point. As Ginn continues to produce, debates about his talent -- and about whether he can be a No. 1 receiver -- there are plenty of people that already have jumped off the bandwagon. Not Moore. He continues to drive it.

But whether Moore is capable of winning over the court of public opinion doesn't really matter. That is something time will dictate as Ginn's career progresses. But his support still seems to be having an impact on the only person that matters: the player himself.

``There's a couple of guys that stick with me around here, but he's a guy that really stands out in my mind,'' Ginn said. ``He's a guy that played the game and understands all of it.

``To have an old-school guy like that behind me, somebody who was that a legend in this league and is around the facility all the time, it does nothing but help me get better everyday.''

As Ginn dealt with the trials of his first season in the pros, which included playing for three quarterbacks, Moore helped keep the wide receiver from becoming mentally crippled -- something that some argue happened to then-rookie quarterback John Beck. And as Ginn had a back-and-forth year last season that included flashes of success and moments of mediocrity, it was Moore who preached the importance of consistency.

DIFFERENT KIND OF COACH

There's no question, Ginn said he still gets his football instruction from a different group of people that includes receivers coach Karl Dorrell and new assistant Terry Glenn. But Moore is the one providing a different type of coaching.

``I don't want to be a distraction,'' Moore said. ``Most of the time, when he and I talk, it's not really about football or technique. It's about keeping his head in the game and staying focused.''

Go figure. More than two decades after Moore's career in Miami came to an end, his impact on the Dolphins' passing game might continue to be felt. That's what Ginn hopes. Same goes for Moore.

``I think he's going to just keep growing,'' the former receiver said. ``His potential is still unlimited. Look at him today compared to three years ago. It's night and day.''

Want to argue otherwise? Then you might want to clear your schedule.