Over the last few weeks there has been one name that has been constantly linked to the Rams: Cortland Finnegan. He is one of the top ten cornerbacks in football. Finnegan thinks that the Titans won't resign him and he sounds like he is ready to move on.
The Rams may have an edge in signing him. Finnegan expressed on 101 ESPN an openness to coming to play for his old coach, Jeff Fisher in St. Louis. Additionally, the signing of ex-Titan's defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil by the Rams today as defensive back coach adds another connection.
Needless to say the Rams won't be the only suitors for Finnegan, since he's arguably the top corner on the market. The Lions also have multiple Tennessee connections with ex-Titans defensive coordinator Jim Swartz at the helm and they also just hired the Titans defensive backs coach, Marcus Robinson, as a defensive assistant. The Cowboys are also a team in desperate need of corner help and would certainly be interested in Finnegan.
He can play both outside and in the slot with great efficiency. The main issue with Cortland is he is a hothead. He hasn't gained many fans throughout the NFL with his dirty antics, the biggest of which was a fight with Andre Johnson.
Videos and more after the jump!
And here's a decent highlight video of Finnegan.
As for the contract it would take, he would be priced around the same range that Jonathan Joseph was last season. Joseph received a 5 year, $48.75 million dollar deal from the Texans and he proved to be well worth it. He became a huge part of the league leading defense.
This would be expensive for any team but particularly so for one that currently only has $10 million in cap space; but that number will go up after releasing some players or restructuring expensive contracts.
A way that has been proposed to free up cap space is for the Rams to release Ron Bartell. He has been great for the Rams, a bright spot on a very bad defense, but he had a severe, season ending neck injury in 2011. There is uncertainty about whether or not he can come back and play at the same level. Bartell is due to make $6.5 million in 2012 and that's a huge price to pay for a injury prone 30 year old player.
1 recs | 18 comments
This
would be a good pick-up for the Rams. Last year our splashy pick-up was Quentin Mikell, a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season. I think Cort would plug a major hole in a defense that is only missing a few pieces. JL55, QMikell, and Cort patrolling. I like it.
papapegasus - February 14, 2012
Excellent Post Brick Top! Rec'd
Douglas M - February 14, 2012
Bring your fiesty ass on board cortland! Ram tuff!
kevio3000 - February 14, 2012 via Android app
I don't particularly like him as a person, and I think he's a very dirty player.
But, i’ll take him in a heartbeat over what we have. I’d rather go over the line on the dirty side then watch this season over again. I’ll take a little too much attitude over not near enough any day.
RamFan284 - February 14, 2012
out of topic but
Does anyone think Quinn will be better than Long? It was a random thought which i can not really figure out
RamTX - February 14, 2012
yes. he will
RAMSALLTHEWAY - February 14, 2012 via mobile
I would say no
Brick Top - February 14, 2012
I'm shocked that more people say "No" due to his cost than his behavior.
I think he’s well worth the price tag, but the Terrell Owens in him makes me worry. Even so, for me, the answer is unequivocally “Yes.” Let’s make this defense a force.
Joe Mazzi - February 14, 2012
I think this seventh rounder of Fishers
will be just fine with the Rams. HE CRAZY! I like CRAZY defenders.
fearsomefoursum - February 14, 2012
i say pass
hes too old, but if we have no other options the hell then why not
RamTX - February 14, 2012
he was 27 two weeks ago.....
too old?
DCRamFan - February 14, 2012
Seems pretty young to me.
RAMpage28 - February 14, 2012
If he's old
than I’m………well………..one year older than him
So what are you saying, TX? That I’m too old to start playing professional football?
DCRamFan - February 14, 2012
This is a tough one
If he will indeed cost in the $10 million/season neighborhood, that will eat up the entire cap, as it currently stands. I realize that some more cap space will be cleared up soon, but how much? Will Finnegan have more impact than, say, Jason Jones, Ben Grubbs, and Manny Lawson put together? That is the question I can’t warm up to.
mcihaelT - February 14, 2012
Agree
if He come with that cost I think team should spent money on another bigger holes like WR OLB DT first and find lower cost FA in that position
Luckyz - February 14, 2012
Nine people don't want em cause he IS a dirty player??????
Well Dunk his head in HOLY water and call him a sinner.
I WANT THE IRISH PLAYER …they call……FINNEGAN!!!!
fearsomefoursum - February 14, 2012
Get him
And then Brent Grimes from ATL. Now that’s a 1-2 punch (in the mouth!)
StarzNBarz - February 14, 2012
10 million in cap space?
Wasn’t just a couple of weeks ago when it was reported that we had $45 million in cap space? What the heck? Where did the money go? Hopefully Stan took it to buy the Dodgers!
Ron Winkler - February 17, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Turf Show Times to post a comment.