Finnegan primed for former teammates

The numbers would suggest former Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan has struggled mightily so far this season, and he didn’t necessarily dispute that notion during a media conference call on Wednesday.

Pro Football Focus has Finnegan rated 108th – dead last in the league – among cornerbacks who’ve played at least 25 percent of their team’s snaps this year. In addition, quarterbacks throwing into Finnegan’s area have posted a 158.3 quarterback rating this season, higher than against any other cornerback, per PFF.

“That’s obvious,” Finnegan said when it was suggested this hasn’t been his best season. “From a personal standpoint, I think I wasn’t buying into what we were doing totally. (I was) just not making plays. I’m not sure they were big plays. They were one or two passes. Giving up two passes a game and one of them is a touchdown seems to be a bad stat, especially when you’re losing.

“But it’s just about getting back to basics. I’ve enjoyed it. You have to thrive through the good and the bad times. I’m not really worried about that.”

In his defense, Finnegan may have been slowed by a hamstring injury through the first four games of the season, an injury that caused him to sit out the next three contests before he returned Monday in the loss to Seattle.

“I’m just getting back to healthy 100 percent now, so I feel good,” Finnegan said. “So definitely, I want to put my best foot forward.”

Does he feel like he’s getting back to playing at a higher level?

“Yeah, I do,” Finnegan said. “I found my dagger, so now I got my swagger, so now I’m going to be A-okay, thank you.”

Finnegan has always been known for having an irritating on-field presence, so it will be interesting to see him play against his former teammates on Sunday.

“I’m just going to play football,” Finnegan said. “I have a great deal of respect for Nate (Washington). He’s done it for so long, so well in the NFL. Kenny (Britt), you can’t say enough good things about him. I really enjoyed playing against him and practicing against him while I was there.

“But I look forward to seeing Big Country (David Stewart) and (Michael) Roos if I come off the edge one time. Those are just some things I look forward to.”

Titans safety Michael Griffin predicted earlier in the week that Finnegan would likely try to get under the skin of Washington, as the two had some spirited practice confrontations here.

“I think (Griffin) is wrong in that aspect,” Finnegan said. “Nate’s been playing great for the past two years and he’s overcome a lot. He’s a savvy veteran. I really do look forward to playing against Nate. He’s a great guy. He’s a great person and a great receiver.”

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Posted In: Team News

Source: Titans Insider