The Saints have signed cornerback Cortland Finnegan to an undisclosed contract, reports Sean Fazende of FOX 8 (Twitter link). New Orleans was expected to add Finnegan after he visited with the team Friday, as Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweeted.
The 32-year-old Finnegan announced his retirement in March 2015, but his hiatus from football was fleeting. The veteran signed with the Panthers in November and wound up playing in five regular-season games and all three of the NFC champions’ playoff contests, including Super Bowl 50. Finnegan, who recorded 18 tackles, failed to add to his career interception total (18) for the second straight year.
Finnegan spent 2014 with the Dolphins and appeared in 12 games; his performance that year earned him a 74th-place ranking among 108 qualified corners from Pro Football Focus. Finnegan’s unsuccessful stint in Miami came after a six-year run in Tennessee, where he was a standout, and two seasons in St. Louis. In 2013 with the Rams, PFF ranked Finnegan next to last in output among 110 qualified corners.
The Saints are slated to start Delvin Breaux and P.J. Williams at cornerback, as shown on Roster Resource, with Brian Dixon, Damian Swann, and Keenan Lewis in support. Finnegan’s presence could shake things up at the position and impact Brandon Dixon and Tony Carter, both of whom are fighting to make the team.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I sure hope he adds value as a nickel corner. 4th-5h DB? I think this group may take a step up and surprise some people. Maybe , HA