HEADLINES

Cortland Finnegan

Dolphins Sign Finnegan To Two-Year Deal

March 14th, 2014 at 3:35pm CST by Luke Adams

3:35pm: Breer hears (Twitter link) that the Dolphins’ deal with Finnegan, which the team has now announced, could be worth close to $11MM over two years.

3:24pm: The Dolphins and Finnegan have reached an agreement on a two-year deal, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

2:55pm: The Dolphins are finalizing a two-year contract agreement with defensive back Cortland Finnegan, reports Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Finnegan was released by the Rams earlier this week.

Finnegan, whose 2013 season was cut short by a fractured orbital bone, was one of the league’s worst corners even before the injury, according to Pro Football Focus advanced metrics (subscription required). PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. A longtime starter for the Titans, the former seventh-round pick was named to the All-Pro first team in 2008, but has seen his production fall off in recent years. He became a cap casualty in St. Louis, with the Rams removing a chunk of his $10MM cap number from their books by cutting him.

Two of the Dolphins’ top cornerbacks were eligible for free agency this offseason, and while the team re-signed Brent Grimes, it saw Nolan Carroll head to Philadelphia. Dimitri Patterson was also released for cap purposes, so Miami may look to add at least one more cornerback through free agency or the draft.

OL Rumors: Dolphins, Oher, Titans, Giants

March 14th, 2014 at 9:04am CST by Luke Adams

As rumors continue to trickle in on the fourth day of free agency, let’s check in on a few offensive lineman who remain on the market:

  • The Dolphins have extended a contract offer to offensive lineman Shelley Smith, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). However, Beasley cautions that Smith has other offers on the table, adding that the situation remains fluid. According to Beasley (via Twitter), Smith and cornerback Cortland Finnegan are at the Dolphins’ headquarters this morning.
  • Free agent tackle Michael Oher is visiting with the Titans today, reports Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun adds (via Twitter) that Oher will meet with the Raiders tomorrow. With Eugene Monroe back in the fold in Baltimore, the subject of The Blind Side appears likely to land with a new team this offseason.
  • As of late yesterday, the Giants still had interest in re-signing veteran offensive lineman Kevin Boothe and pairing him with J.D. Walton at center, tweets Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

FA Rumors: Clark, Browner, Finnegan

March 13th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Ryan Clark‘s visit with the Redskins went well, but there’s no deal yet, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. However, Washington is still talking with the former Steelers safety. More from around the league..

  • The Saints are among teams looking at cornerback Brandon Browner, according to ESPN’s John Clayton (via Mike Triplett’s Twitter). The recently reinstated cornerback is also reportedly visiting with the Redskins and Patriots.
  • Former Rams and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan will visit with the Dolphins tomorrow, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network.
  • Bears GM Phil Emery planned to speak with Henry Melton‘s agent after the defensive end met with teams and gauged his market, tweets Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. However, the clock is ticking for Chicago as their cap room is dwindling.
  • The Redskins have had talks with Reed Doughty, but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. It’s still a “work in progress,” a source tells Jones.
  • 49ers free agent running back Anthony Dixon tweets that he’s on his way to Buffalo to visit the Bills.
  • It sounds like Antonio Cromartie‘s meeting with the Cardinals was more of a feeling out than anything, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
  • The door isn’t shut on Alex Mack and the Colts, but the odds have gone down drastically, tweets Mike Wells of ESPN.

Remaining Options At Cornerback

March 11th, 2014 at 11:18pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Aqib Talib contract is the latest free agent signing that has shaken up the NFL landscape, leaving few options at cornerback and many teams with a need at the position. There are still some very productive players, and even a few big names on the market that could fill those needs. Here’s a brief roundup:

  • Assuming Darrelle Revis gets cut by the Buccaneers, an assumption that seems safe at this point, he will become the top free agent left on the market. He could have many potential landing spots, and will most likely draw interest from the Patriots to replace Talib.
  • Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was in negotiations to return to the Broncos, but the team has reportedly pulled their offer after signing Talib, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
  • Tracy Porter is visiting with the Giants, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Porter was one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in 2013.
  • Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan are both veterans that could be available for small money on short term deals. Tillman was thought to be a fit with the Buccaneers before Verner signed there. Finnegan has not drawn much interest so far.
  • The Jets and Lions are both still in need of help at corner, and it would be risky to go into the draft without adding anything at the position.

Rams Release Cortland Finnegan

March 11th, 2014 at 5:28pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 11, 5:28pm: The Rams have officially released Finnegan, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).

MARCH 5, 3:30pm: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), the Rams met with Finnegan today and presented him with multiple options, including taking a pay cut. Finnegan’s tweet suggests he decided to let the team release him. While Finnegan informed Fisher and a few members of the St. Louis front office of his decision after the meeting, many key members of the club’s staff found out the cornerback’s answer when they saw his tweet.

2:30pm: The Rams are releasing cornerback Cortland Finnegan, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Finnegan himself broke the news first, tweeting, “St. Louis thank you for your letting me play for a classy franchise and coach [Jeff Fisher] nothing but love thank you all.” According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link), the team will have to wait until Tuesday to officially finalize the move, due to cap restrictions.

Finnegan, whose 2013 season was cut short by a fractured orbital bone, was one of the league’s worst corners even before the injury, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. A longtime starter for the Titans, the former seventh-round pick was named to the All-Pro first team in 2008, but has seen his production fall off in recent years.

Finnegan had a $3MM roster bonus due next week, and a $10MM overall cap number for 2014. By releasing him, the Rams will create a few million in cap savings, though the exact amount isn’t entirely clear yet. According to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), the veteran cornerback’s roster bonus was guaranteed for injury and skill, meaning he could still receive it. The team also may designate Finnegan as a post-June 1 cut, which will spread his dead money over 2014 and 2015.

According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link), Fisher expressed an openness in re-signing Finnegan at a later date and a lower salary, but I’d be surprised if that happened. The 30-year-old will immediately become an unrestricted free agent once his release is finalized, and will likely end up signing elsewhere.

FA Rumors: Saffold, Houston, Foote, Finnegan

March 10th, 2014 at 12:48pm CST by Luke Adams

We dedicated an early-morning post to passing along a few miscellaneous free agent updates, but the rumor mill been busy enough that it’s time to round up a few more. Here’s the latest:

  • Jared Allen, Jared Veldheer, Rodger Saffold, Arthur Jones, and James Jones are among the free agents expected to change teams this week, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
  • The Raiders are offering Saffold $8MM per year, with the potential to increase that offer, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link via John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game).
  • Middlekauff (Twitter link) also spoke to multiple NFL executives about prospective free agent Lamarr Houston, and none thought the defensive end would be a very good fit for a 3-4 team.
  • After having been released by the Steelers last week, Larry Foote has no plans to retire and would like to sign with a contender, as he tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link).
  • Recently released defensive back Cortland Finnegan will be representing himself in free agency, according to Anderson (TwitLonger link). Typically, free agent players without agents wouldn’t be able to talk to teams until Tuesday, but Finnegan can seek out a new team now since he was cut.
  • One general manager suggests to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link) that NFL teams treat their equipment people better than they treat running backs. While that may be an exaggeration, it signals that this year’s group of free agent running backs probably isn’t drawing much interest yet.
  • Former first-round pick Rolando McClain is telling people that he plans to return to the NFL in 2014, according to Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times. However, a source tells Aaron Wilson (Twitter link) that there’s nothing imminent, and that talk of a McClain comeback is probably “premature.”

Rams Not Tipping Hand On Finnegan

February 22nd, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Matt Feminis

Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan‘s second season in St. Louis was a disaster, as he struggled to play through a fractured orbital bone before hitting Injured Reserve. Because of his scheduled $10MM cap hit, speculation suggests he’s on the chopping block, but ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner explains a more optimistic scenario in which Finnegan restructures his five-year, $50MM deal and stays in St. Louis.

Head coach Jeff Fisher said he expects Finnegan in the team’s off-season program and GM Les Snead did not sound intent of severing ties with the veteran corner, who is considered a positive locker-room presence and secondary leader. “What we want to do is get the cap where we don’t have to make a non-football decision,” said Snead, who acknowledged that Finnegan’s injury caused headaches and vision issues. “First of all, get him healthy and then with [defensive coordinator] Gregg [Williams] coming in figure out where we all fit. In this league, like pass-rushers, corners that can go inside and play nickel, you can’t have enough of those people.”

DB Notes: Delmas, Finnegan, Ward

February 17th, 2014 at 2:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Saftey Louis Delmas will start off his free agent tour by meeting with the Steelers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Delmas, 26, was released by the Lions on February 13. After missing time due to injuries in 2011-12, Delmas played all 16 games in 2013, finishing with 64 tackles and three interceptions, while grading out better against the pass than the run, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Steelers‘ interest derives from two factors: the impending free agency of Ryan Clark, and the contract of Troy Polamalu. Clark is 34 years old and struggled last season, and while Polamalu is still playing at a high level, he has a cap number of approximately $10.9MM, and was listed among Joel Corry’s list of pay cut candidates. Florio suggests that signing Delmas could give the Steelers leverage when asking Polamalu to reduce his salary.

A few more notes regarding defensive backs: