METAIRIE, La. -- Obviously, the New Orleans Saints knew all about Ted Ginn Jr.’s speed when they signed him in free agency.

Ginn has been one of the NFL’s fastest players for a decade. And before that, he was an Olympic-caliber track star in high school whose relay team once beat a team featuring Usain Bolt.

Plus, the 32-year-old receiver has been especially dynamic against the Saints -- with catches of 55, 45 and 40 yards against them over the past two seasons while playing for the rival Carolina Panthers.

Ted Ginn Jr. has drawn high praise since joining the Saints, including from quarterback Drew Brees. AP Photo/Derick E. Hingle

But all of that history hasn’t stopped the Saints from being dazzled now that they’re getting a look at Ginn up close and personal.

Coach Sean Payton said he got a text from strength and conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple early in the offseason program, when players were running 200-yard sprints.

It simply read “TGIF.”

“It was on Friday, and I’m like, ‘What is this about?’” Payton recalled. “And he said, ‘Ted Ginn Is Fast.’”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been equally impressed. After two weeks of OTA practices, Brees said Ginn “can fly” and “doesn’t look like he’s lost a step.”

That should serve the Saints well after they traded away another dynamic speedster, Brandin Cooks, this offseason. It’s easy to envision Ginn primarily playing the deep-threat role manned for so many years by the likes of Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem.

But that’s not the only thing the Saints liked about Ginn, and it’s not the only thing that has impressed them since he arrived.

Ginn also has brought the veteran leadership of a player who has spent 10 seasons with four teams -- and the maturity of a former first-round draft pick whose career got off to a disappointing start before he improved to play his best football over the past two years in Carolina.

“I think he brings a presence with him. I like the fact [that] I think he’s played better football in the last five years of his career than the first five,” Payton said. “So I think he can run, I think he’s competitive, and I think there’s a presence about him, a toughness about him, that I think is good for that room.”

Ginn said he has embraced that role in a young receiver room that also includes second-year pro Michael Thomas and fourth-year pros Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman.

“We’re just going out and having fun. They’re taking me as a big brother, I’m taking them as a little brother,” said Ginn, who said that role is nothing new to him. “Oh you know, I’ve been in leadership all the time. So it’s just been great. I just go out and try to get my young guys going. And the room is bonding pretty real, and we’re having a great time.”

Just as important, Ginn said he has been learning his timing and chemistry with Brees -- “doing our thing ... figure each other out, and we’ve been having some great practices.”

Ginn said he appreciated it when told that Brees said it looked like he had become a more complete receiver in recent years.

“For a great like that to say that -- he’s been watching me, what, 11 years now? So for him to put that statement out just shows the type of work I’ve put into this game,” Ginn said.

“I’m just gonna come in and do what I do,” Ginn added in a later interview with the Saints’ website. “I believe in Drew, Drew believes in me, the offense believes in me. We’ve just got to go out and play well.”