Cortland Finnegan, Titans Reportedly 'Far Apart' On New Deal
by Sean Yuille on Feb 22, 2012 12:03 AM EST
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Because of his connection to Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and new defensive assistant Marcus Robertson, it's worth keeping an eye on what is going on with cornerback Cortland Finnegan. He is set to become a free agent next month, and all signs this offseason have pointed to the Tennessee Titans not bringing him back. That still appears to be the likely scenario based on this report from the The Tennessean on Monday:
And while the two sides did have a conversation on Friday – their first regarding a contract since last offseason – no numbers were discussed. The two sides are believed to still be far apart.
Although it does look like Finnegan will become a free agent, it seems highly unlikely that he will be a legitimate option for the Lions, even though one report has suggested they are interested in him. The connections and need for help in the secondary make him an intriguing target, but his salary demands likely far exceed what the Lions can afford or should pay for a player like him, as evidenced by what his agent had to say earlier this week.
Watson declined to discuss numbers, but Finnegan is seeking a deal greater than the five-year, $48.75 million contract cornerback Johnathan Joseph signed with the Texans last July. That deal included $23.5 million in guarantees.
When asked what kind of deal Finnegan is looking for, Watson would only say, "one that makes him one of the top paid cornerbacks in the NFL."
If Finnegan insists on being paid a contract like that, a lot of teams are probably going to look in a different direction. That's especially the case for the Lions, in my view. Finnegan may be a good player, but the Lions don't have the room to sign him or anybody to a deal like what Joseph got last year. Besides, if they could, chances are they would have made a bigger run at signing Joseph last summer. I just don't see the value in Finnegan if that is the type of deal he is after.
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Hmm
Would a deal with Finnegan be more likely if Avril walks in free agency?
"You, on the other hand, make Eeyore look like Rainbow Brite." -johnmoz
"I think of you more as the blue book style essay of sports journalism."-Kurt Mensching
In all likelihood...
The money saved by not signing Avril would probably go toward making sure somebody like Tulloch is re-signed rather than to break the bank on a guy like Finnegan.
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by Sean Yuille on Feb 22, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
I really don't see Fightin' Finnegan as a really big upgrade over Eric Wright.
He is an upgrade, but he has alternated good years with lousy years. Lions could pay for the good year and get the lousy year.
He does not have the resume that Johnathon Joseph had when he went FA IMO, so I cannot see him deserving as much or more in that case.
I am satisfied with our starting corners being Houston and Berry, with Wright as the slot guy. Another CB should be picked up in the draft to develop and provide competition for the fourth spot. It would make sense to keep Alphonso or Carey around for depth too. We should have room for five CBs on the roster.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
I don't understand...
What a lot of you guys are missing is that Eric Wright was the second outside corner on the defense. When we played only two corners it was Wright and Houston that played. When the third corner came in on the nickel package, that is when Eric Wright slid over and played slot. Aaron Berry was actually third on the depth chart, not second.
One of the thinks a lot of people are not considering when evaluating the play of Wright, is how difficult it is to flip from outside corner to nickel like that. It takes a very different mindset and a different play style. I really wish people would give the man his due.
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Sorry TL I did not mean to imply that Wright was not a starter in 2011.
Eric did play over one thousand snaps for the Lions last year, by far the most of all our CBs. I think he got the starting nod in 2011 because he was more game ready than Berry to start the season.
It is my opinion only, that Houston and Berry will be our starting corners in 2012. Wright could be the slot guy [if he is re-signed by the Lions] and third CB. Given how many three wide sets faced in the NFL, he would see a lot of action and be an important part of the defence.
I just don’t see Wright as one of our top two CBs going forward.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Feb 22, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
I agree man
Wrights ok but I don’t see any reason he is a lock to be a starter next season. I could really see Berry beating him out. Which is a reason to look for an upgrade over Wright if we can get it. IMO Eric is getting a pass for some things based soley on the injury. I have nothing against keeping him but I think we need to explore the market as well. Some good FA corners this year that are better than Eric Wright.
"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)
PCP 4 LIFE
by The Profiler on Feb 22, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
I believe those FA corners will be more expensive than Wright.
I have faith in the kid. I have love for him because during his career I’ve seen a boatload of potential and some great instincts. Sure, he got burned a few times, especially by Boldin in Cleveland and the Saints last year, whether or not it was because of injuries is irrelevant. I sincerely hope, that he, as well as the rest of the secondary, will show a marked improvement next year. I firmly believe that even if there’s no changes to our starters, that our secondary will be better next year just off the cohesion and consistency of playing together.
Personally, I think the safeties are a bigger concern. Spievy will continue to get better and Delmas may one day learn how to wrap up a tackle. This secondary is not a world beating unit, but in my opinion it’s not a priority either.
1. Re-sign our solid contributors
2. Shore up some depth on the team through the draft and smaller FA signings
I think depth is our real problem. Which makes me absolutely ecstatic because our real problem used to be talent at any position. Good time to be a Lions’ fan right? Our big dilemma is the fan base being split on one CB and keeping a DE? We’re getting better and it’s really pissing off other teams. I love it.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"I'm not puting that quote on my sig" -Bighaircut, circa 2012
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
by Leonuro on Feb 22, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I am certain he knows how to tackle
I think he chooses not to. Instead he wants to make a highlight reel by becoming a helmet guided missle. Unfortunately, you can’t do that against guys like Legarret Blount. Missles bounch of the Hulk, Hulk angry, Hulk smash, Hulk score.
It's turkey, Lions and Macy's. Any other combination is just ludicrous.
"I'm not puting that quote on my sig" -Bighaircut, circa 2012
"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy." - Charlie McCarthy
Delmas was a good tackler in coverage, but missed a lot of tackles against RBs.
Tells me he’s trying to land big shots on runners too much iwithout wrapping up. He’s forced to wrap up receivers because he’s running with them.
No slogans. Just win!!!
totally agree
A lack of football knowledge speaks to the comments of ineptitude. Don’t mean to sound elitest, but it’s just reality.
by Dustin J Quarrella on Feb 22, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
As much
as I would like an upgrade, you can’t break the bank on this guy. He does not turn us into an immediate SB contender and Tully is more important imo.
by Lionsickness on Feb 22, 2012 10:33 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Finnegan is out of our price range.
I am absolutely certain the Lions will give Eric Wright his $4 million per season again before they pay Finnegan $10 million per season. They simply do not have the cap room to take on that kind of contract for a cornerback right now.
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I agree with this.
Finnegan is not a significant enough upgrade over Wright to justify $6M more per year.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Feb 22, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
Wait. What??
I’m confused.
no numbers were discussed. The two sides are believed to still be far apart
How does anybody know how “far apart” they are, when no numbers were discussed? Am I missing something?
"Life's hard. It's even harder when you're stupid."
- John Wayne
Finnegan wants more than Johnathon Joseph got last year.
Joseph got $9.75M per year. The Titans do not want to pay him anywhere near that apparently.
The Titans have two very good young corners [Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner] who they are paying peanuts to [around $600K per year each]. McCourty is in the last year of his contract so they may elect to reward/keep him rather than pay big bucks to the up and down Finnegan.
By the way, McCourty was a sixth round pick and Verner was a fourth round pick. There are excellent CBs available in the later rounds.
"I’m sorry for all the people who want us to run the ball 40 times a game, but we’re going to put the ball in No. 9’s hands and he’s going to make plays for us like he did today," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. Amen to that Jim!
by NorthLeft12 on Feb 22, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
likely means that no formal offer from either side was made
it doesn’t mean they have no idea where they’d like to be
by redwingxviii on Feb 22, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
That statement is a bit misleading.
Numbers have certainly been discussed. This article from National Football Post has some of the details. Here is the relevant part.
Finnegan is believed to be seeking a deal that would pay him an average of somewhere between $9.5-$11 million per season. The Titans last offer was a $28 million, four-year package back in August. Finnegan’s camp countered with an offer somewhere around $50 million total, leaving the two sides far apart.
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offer somewhere around $50 million total, leaving the two sides far apart.
Puff Puff give, you are Effing up the rotation!
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Pass
even if I wanted him I don’t think Mayhew will pay him
"People ask is winning really the only thing? My answer to them is my answer to you. Ask Yourself The Damn Question! Is winning the only thing that matters to you? Is it what you want ? Do you want to be remembered as a winner...Or something else? ~ (Dan Lauria as Vince Lombardi)
PCP 4 LIFE
Can't afford him
Simply can’t. We need to start being realistic about Finnegan. The only way we’re attaining a player of his capability is by not bring Avril back.
Now, if Avril is paid correctly, he’ll receive upwards of 6-8 million per year, and not the 10 or more he’ll want (Charles Johnson and Tamba Hali money).
by Dustin J Quarrella on Feb 22, 2012 7:38 PM EST reply actions
question....
Everyone keeps saying we can’t afford this guy,we can’t afford that guy….. What happens if we go over the cap? In the NBA and MLB they have a cap,but if a team goes over the cap they just have a luxury tax to pay. My question is does the NFL have the same type of thing if a team goes over the cap? Or does the NFL simply just not allow teams to go over the cap at all?
by hostage42 on Feb 23, 2012 9:55 AM EST via mobile reply actions
NFL teams may not be over the salary cap.
Teams must be compliant on the first day of the league year.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
or?
Or what? Is there any penalty? Wait…. It’s the lions It’s always penalties,LOL. Anyway…really though… What happens if they are over? Does the league fine them?
by hostage42 on Feb 24, 2012 12:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
There is no "or."
You can’t do it. The NFL will cut players from your team until you are under it, if it has to, but you cannot be over the cap, and you won’t be able to sign any new players (since all contracts go through the league office) or resign your free agents.
You can’t play chicken with the league. There’s a reason you’ve never heard of an “or” scenario, teams simply don’t do it, so there’s no reason to think about it.
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
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