Cortland Finnegan: Don’t Hold Your Breath for that Franchise Tag

Dec 4, 2011; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson (13) lines up against Tennessee Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan (31) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE

Earlier this morning, Jason La Canfora sent out a tweet that got Twitter popping a little bit with news about Cortland Finnegan:

Grimes and Branch won’t be the only DB to get tagged. 49ers plan to tag S Dashon Goldson and Titans likely to tag CB Courtland Finnegan

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 2, 2012

As no other source had indicated that such a thing was about to happen and nothing in the contract talks pointed to it, we did our best to throw water on the rumor:

Not jumping on any crazy train started by @JasonLaCanfora about Finnegan being given the franchise tag. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. #Titans

— Titan Sized (@Titan_Sized) March 2, 2012

About half an hour later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter Jumped in on the conversation:

Titans will not place their franchise tag on cornerback Cortland Finnegan, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2012

It was also confirmed by Paul Kuharsky of ESPN and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean that no such action is in the plans. Why would it be? Finnegan held out of camp this last fall when his contract negotiations didn’t go well and slapping the franchise tag on him this year when he’s looking for a long term deal certainly wouldn’t go over well. It’s basically go big or go home for the Titans brass on this deal. Most likely, they’ll be going home.

Here’s one more little side note for La Canfora: It’s Cortland, not Courtland. That’s a pretty tell-tale sign someone doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Kinda surprising coming from one of the more reputable sources on the NFL.

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