away at age seven from complications with her disorder.

Transcription

1 31 Cortland Finnegan CORNERBACK lbs COLLEGE: SAMFORD ACQUIRED: 7TH ROUND NFL EXP. (NFL/TITANS): 6/6 HOMETOWN: MILTON, FLA. GAMES PLAYED/GAMES STARTED: 93/79 (PLAYOFFS: 2/2) PRO BOWLS 2008 PRO: An elite cornerback recognized for his blazing speed and a feisty attitude, Cortland Finnegan is one of the team s defensive leaders. Despite his humble entry to the league from Samford University, the former seventh-round draft choice is frequently mentioned alongside the NFL s top players at his position. In 2008, he was named to his first career Pro Bowl and earned Associated Press All-Pro honors. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: In 2010, started all 16 games for the third time in his career. He posted two interceptions and tallied 100 tackles, marking the second time he reached 100 stops in a season. With five interceptions in each of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he became the first Titans player to record back-to-back five interception efforts since Daryll Lewis ( ). Was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2008 and earned first-team All-Pro honors after he led the club with 20 passes defensed and finished tied for sixth in the NFL with five interceptions. Received a multi-year contract extension during the 2008 preseason. As a rookie in 2006, the former college safety played cornerback for the first time, mostly used in nickel and dime packages. He won a starting job at the beginning of 2007 and has been in the lineup ever since. In 2006 pre-draft workouts, impressed scouts when he was timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.33 seconds, bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times and recorded a 44-inch vertical jump. TITANS TIDBITS: Finnegan was raised in a single-family home by his mother, Linda Finnegan, who retired from the Army after 20 years, including three years in Korea when Cortland was a young child. Finnegan was the first Samford University player drafted into the NFL since 1969, when Gary Fleming was selected in the seventh round by the Baltimore Colts. In 2010, Finnegan developed a relationship with Kelsey Towns, a Father Ryan High School student and volleyball player who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after finding a lump on her leg. When Towns couldn t run in the annual Boulevard Bolt on Thanksgiving Day as she had every year since kindergarten, Finnegan pushed her in a large stroller. Now cancer free, Towns underwent seven rounds of chemo, five weeks of radiation and two surgeries to fight off a rare form of cancer known as synovial sarcoma. Towns made such an impact on the cornerback that Finnegan and his wife named their first daughter Kelsey. Finnegan has talked about becoming a volunteer firefighter and a football coach after his playing career ends. Finnegan was named the 2010 Titans Community Man of the Year. In 2009, he launched his own foundation, ARK 31. The name of the foundation came to him while watching the movie Evan Almighty, as the audience is told to change the world one act of random kindness at a time. He added his jersey number to the name, and soon the organization was launched. One of ARK 31 s signature events is Karaoke for the Cure, a fundraiser in which Titans players and celebrities make their best efforts at singing in order to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Other ARK 31 events include a celebrity golf tournament in Lewisburg, Tenn.; a football camp in Milton, Fla.; Kid s Carnival Day at the Nashville Zoo; and Cortland s Christmas Dinner for families from LLS and Special Olympics of Middle Tennessee. More information is available at the organization s website, Part of his passion for helping special needs children comes from his own family s history. His older sister, Felicia, had Down syndrome and passed away at age seven from complications with her disorder. CAREER TRANSACTIONS: The Milton, Fla., native was selected with the Titans first pick of the seventh round (215th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft. SEASON RECAPS: 2011 (16/16): Started all 16 games at cornerback and ranked second on the team with 12 passes defensed and tied for second on the squad with five tackles for loss. Finished fourth on the squad with 95 tackles. Added a sack, an interception, 12 passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Led or tied for the team lead in tackles four times in 2011 (vs. BAL, at CLE, vs. IND, vs. NO). Led or tied for the team lead in passes defensed three times in 2011 (vs. BAL, vs. CIN, vs. NO). Tied for the team lead in sacks once in 2011 (at CAR). Was voted a team captain for the 2011 season by his teammates. Registered a career-high 15 tackles at Cleveland (10/2/11). At Jacksonville (9/11), started at cornerback and posted two tackles, including a stop for loss. Stuffed Deji Karim for a three-yard loss on a rush in the first quarter. Against Baltimore (9/18), started at cornerback and tied for the team lead with five tackles and led the squad with three passes defensed. Halted a Ravens drive by batting down a third-and-seven pass intended for Anquan Boldin in the opening quarter. Knocked down a pass intended for Ed Dickson in the first quarter. Deflected a pass that was then intercepted by Jason McCourty early in the fourth quarter. Against Denver (9/25), started at cornerback and notched four tackles and a pass defensed. At Cleveland (10/2), started at cornerback and collected a career-high by leading the team with 15 tackles, including a pass defensed. Batted down a pass intended for Greg Little in the third quarter. At Pittsburgh (10/9), started at cornerback and registered four tackles and an interception. Picked off a Ben Roethlisberger third-and-four pass late in the second quarter. Scooped up the loose ball after after Tim Shaw blocked a punt in the fourth quarter. Against Houston (10/23), started at cornerback and recorded five tackles, including a tackle for loss. Snuffed out a reverse and stopped Jacoby Jones for a four-yard loss in the first quarter. Against Indianapolis (10/30), started at cornerback and tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including a stop for loss. Stopped Delone Carter for a one-yard loss on a short pass in the first quarter. Against Cincinnati (11/6), started at cornerback and notched four tackles, including a stop for loss and a team-best two passes defensed. Stopped Cedric Benson for a three-yard loss on a rush off left guard in the first quarter. Broke up a pass intended for Andre Caldwell in the second quarter. Knocked down another pass intended for Caldwell in the third stanza. At Carolina (11/13), started at cornerback and tallied six tackles, a sack and a pass defensed. Broke up a pass intended for Steve Smith in the first quarter. Came on a blitz and dropped Cam Newton for a 14-yard sack in the third quarter. At Atlanta (11/20), started at cornerback and collected six tackles. Against Tampa Bay (11/27), started at cornerback and posted three tacklesand a fumble recovery. Recovered a Mike Williams fumble at the Titans 37-yard line that was forced by Jordan Babineaux early in the third quarter. At Buffalo (12/4), started at cornerback and finished second on the team with 10 tackles, including a stop for loss and a pass defensed. Ended a Bills drive by breaking up a third-and-10 pass intended for David Nelson in the first quarter. Stuffed Stevie Johnson for a one-yard loss on a short

2 pass in the first quarter. Helped halt a Bills drive by teaming with Akeem Ayers to stop Brad Smith for a one-yard loss on a short pass in the second quarter. Against New Orleans (12/11), started at cornerback and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles and a pass defensed. Broke up a pass intended for Robert Meachem in the first quarter. At Indianapolis (12/18), started at cornerback and tallied five tackles. Against Jacksonville (12/24), started at cornerback and toatked six tackles and a pass defensed. Broke up a pass intended for Chastin West in the fourth quarter. At Houston (1/1), started at cornerback and collected two tackles (16/16): Started all 16 games at cornerback and posted 100 tackles. Tied for third on the team with two interceptions and finished fourth on the squad with 12 passes defensed. Registered a career-high four passes defensed at Miami (11/14/10). Tied for the team lead in passes defensed three times in 2010 (at SD, at MIA, at KC). At N.Y. Giants (9/26), collected six tackles, a pass defensed and a quarterback pressure. Deflected a pass that was intended for Hakeem Nicks and then was intercepted by Sen Derrick Marks in the first quarter. Against Denver (10/3), notched five tackles, including a tackle for loss and a sack. Halted a Broncos drive by sacking Kyle Orton for an eightyard loss on a third-and-15 in the first quarter. Tackled Daniel Graham for a one-yard loss on a short pass in the third quarter. Against Philadelphia (10/24), tallied 10 tackles and two passes defensed, including an interception return for a touchdown. Concluded the scoring by intercepting a Kevin Kolb pass and weaving his way to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown as time expired in the game, the fourth touchdown return of his career. At Miami (11/14), collected five tackles, an interception and a careerhigh four passes defensed. Intercepted a deep pass intended for Brandon Marshall late in the second quarter. Knocked down a pass intended for Marshall in the end zone during the third quarter. Deflected a deep pass by Marshall intended for Patrick Cobbs late in the third quarter. Batted down a pass intended for Marshall in the final period. At Kansas City (12/26), recorded six tackles and two passes defensed. Halted a Chiefs drive by breaking up a third-and-six pass intended for Dwayne Bowe in the second quarter. Deflected a pass intended for Jake O Connell on third-and-five in the third stanza (13/13): Played and started in 13 games and led the team with five interceptions, tying for fifth in the AFC (12th in the NFL). Added 76 tackles and a team-high 13 passes defensed. A hamstring injury kept him off the field for a total of three games (10/4 at Jacksonville, 10/11 vs. Indianapolis and 10/18 at New England). At Pittsburgh (9/10), recorded 10 tackles and one interception. On the last play of the first half, he intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass and returned the ball 80 yards as time expired. At N.Y. Jets (9/27), tallied four tackles and one pass defensed before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Against Jacksonville (11/1), returned from a hamstring injury to tally four tackles, one interception and two passes defensed. On a pass thrown by David Garrard in the fourth quarter, he ended a Jaguars threat with an interception at the three-yard line. He returned the ball 35 yards. It was his second interception of the season and eighth of his career. At San Francisco (11/8), tied for the team lead and tied his career high with 11 tackles. In the fourth quarter, he delivered what proved to be the game-winning touchdown when he intercepted an Alex Smith pass and raced 39 yards for the score. It was his third career touchdown, his second on an interception. Finnegan s ninth career interception came one week after intercepting a pass against the Jaguars. Against Buffalo (11/15), posted eight tackles and helped limit Terrell Owens to three receptions. Against Arizona (11/29), he registered seven tackles and two passes defensed in the Titans come-from-behind victory. He helped limit the Arizona passing attack to 217 net yards in the victory. At Indianapolis (12/6), notched three tackles and one pass defensed and helped limit Reggie Wayne to four receptions for 48 yards and no touchdowns. Against St. Louis (12/13), he totaled four tackles, two interceptions and three passes defensed. Picked off a Keith Null pass in the final minute of the first half and then in the final seconds of the game added his second interception, which he returned 41 yards. The game marked his second career two-interception performance (16/16, 1/1): Started every game for the second consecutive year. He was second on the team and tied for sixth in the NFL (tied for fourth in AFC) with a career-high five interceptions, including a franchise-record 99-yard touchdown return against Houston (9/21). He led the team with a career-high 20 passes defensed and within individual games led or tied for the team lead in passes defensed seven times (vs. JAX, at CIN, vs. MIN, vs. IND, vs. GB, at CHI, vs. NYJ). Selected to start in his first career Pro Bowl. Additionally, he earned Associated Press All-Pro honors and was named All-NFL or All-Pro by Dallas Morning News, NBCSports.com, Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America, Sporting News and Sports Illustrated. Against Jacksonville (9/7), named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after setting career high with two interceptions. Picked off David Garrard pass to Troy Williamson at Tennessee 14-yard line in third quarter and jumped pass intended for Matt Jones in fourth quarter. His statistics also included seven tackles and three passes defensed. At Cincinnati (9/14), tallied five tackles and one interception. Picked off Carson Palmer pass in fourth quarter to give him three interceptions in first two games of season. Against Houston (9/21), set franchise record with 99-yard interception return for touchdown. Picked off Matt Schaub pass at one-yard line with less than two minutes to play and raced into end zone, surpassing previous team record of 98 yards by Pete Jaquess and Darryll Lewis. It was Finnegan s third consecutive game with an interception. At Chicago (11/9), recorded fourth career sack, team-high three passes defensed and six tackles. Dropped Rex Grossman for two-yard sack in fourth quarter. In first quarter, tipped pass into the air that was then intercepted by Chris Hope. His fourth-down pass breakup on Chicago s final drive allowed Titans to take possession and seal victory. Against N.Y. Jets (11/23), posted six tackles, one interception and two passes defensed. Notched fifth interception of season in second quarter, picking off pass from Brett Favre intended for Laveranues Coles. In Divisional Playoff against Baltimore (1/10), posted two tackles and one pass defensed (16/16, 1/1): Started all 16 games in second season and led team with 16 passes defensed. Tied for third on team with 109 tackles and added one interception, one sack, one tackle for loss, one quarterback pressure and one forced fumble. Against Indianapolis (9/16), recorded first career interception. Stepped in front of a Peyton Manning pass intended for Reggie Wayne and raced 14 yards to help set up a touchdown three plays later. Also credited with seven tackles in the game. In Wild Card Game at San Diego (1/6), recorded nine tackles, one interception, one sack and one forced fumble in playoff debut. In first quarter, he sacked Philip Rivers and forced fumble. In second quarter, intercepted a Rivers pass in end zone (16/2): Played in all 16 games with two starts (nickel back 10/15 at Washington, left cornerback 11/19 at Philadelphia). Totaled 57 tackles, two sacks, three quarterback pressures, one tackle for loss, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one touchdown. Also tied for fourth on the team with 15 special teams tackles and one fumble recovery. At Philadelphia (11/19), started at left cornerback for an injured Reynaldo Hill. Tied team-high with career-high 11 tackles and then-career-high two passes defensed. Against Jacksonville (12/17), scored his first career touchdown when he recovered a David Garrard fumble (caused by David Thornton) and returned it 92 yards for a score. It was third-longest fumble return for a touchdown in franchise history. COLLEGE: During four-year career at Samford, named first-team All-OVC three times as a safety and totaled 338 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 26 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. As return specialist, returned 70 kickoffs for 1,980 yards (28.3 avg.) with three touchdowns and returned 14 punts for 212 yards (15.1 avg.) and one touchdown. Set NCAA Division 1-AA career record with 28.3 kickoff return average and set Samford single game record with 263 kickoff return yards in As senior, named first-team All-American by NFL Draft Report, first-team All-American by American Football Coaches Association and first-team All- OVC for third consecutive year. Started every game at free safety and led

3 team with 98 tackles for third consecutive season and added two tackles for loss, one interception, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Ranked first in OVC conference with 15.1 punt return average, while returning 14 punts for 212 yards and one touchdown. Ranked second in OVC conference with 25.1 kickoff return average on 15 returns for 376 yards. Majored in education and minor in family studies. While at Samford, completed an internship at Lakeshore Foundation Sports Rehabilitation Center for children and adults with special needs. List of favorites: (movies) Armageddon and For the Love of the Game ; (music artists) Sugarland and Rascall Flatts; (actor/actress) Denzel Washington/Hilary Swank; (sports hero) Barry Sanders; (food) Ham and Yams; (car) Pinto; and (vacation getaway) The beaches in Florida. Born Cortland Temujin Finnegan on Feb. 2, 1984 in Fayetteville, N.C. PERSONAL: Splits time between Nashville and Milton, Fla. At Milton (Fla.) High School, earned first-team All-State, All-Northwest Florida and 3A District Player of the Year as senior. Named team captain and Most Valuable Player, posting 22 receptions for 403 yards with 11 rushing touchdowns on offense and recorded 115 tackles with five interceptions in Also was starting point guard for all four years on high school basketball team. Honored in 2009 by The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as one of Nashville s Top 30 Under 30. In December 2009, was named to USA Football s inaugural All- Fundamentals Team, a 26-man roster of the NFL s most fundamentallysound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities. Named a Titans Community All-Star in 2008 due in large part to his involvement with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Special Olympics of Middle Tennessee and Young Life Christian Ministries. He was nominated as a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society s Man & Woman of the Year in 2008 after taking a leadership role in the charity s Light the Night Walk and his annual Karaoke for the Cure event. He donates money to LLS and Special Olympics for every tackle he makes and also donates game tickets to the non-profits. With his support for Young Life, he has helped underprivileged children participate in Christian camps and activities.

4 2006 Tennessee Titans Sept 10 NYJ L p Sept SD L p Sept Mia L p Oct 1 Dal L p Oct Ind L p Oct Was W S Oct 29 Hou W p Nov Jax L p Nov 12 Bal L p Nov Phi W S Nov 26 NYG W p Dec 3 Ind W p Dec Hou W p Dec 17 Jax W p Dec Buf W p Dec 31 NE L p Totals / FINNEGAN S GAME-BY-GAME 2009 Tennessee Titans Sept Pit L S Sept 20 Hou L S Sept NYJ L S Oct Jax L IA Oct 11 Ind L IA Oct NE L IA Nov 1 Jax W S Nov SF W S Nov 15 Buf W S Nov Hou W S Nov 29 Ari W S Dec Ind L S Dec 13 StL W S Dec 20 Mia W S Dec 25 SD L S Jan Sea W S Totals / Tennessee Titans Sept Jax W S Sept 16 Ind L S Sept NO W S Oct 7 Atl W S Oct TB L S Oct Hou W S Oct 28 Oak W S Nov 4 Car W S Nov 11 Jax L S Nov Den L S Nov Cin L S Dec 2 Hou W S Dec 9 SD L S Dec KC W S Dec 23 NYJ W S Dec Ind W S Totals / Playoffs Jan SD L S Totals 0-1 1/ Tennessee Titans Sept 7 Jax W S Sept Cin W S Sept 21 Hou W S Sept 28 Min W S Oct Bal W S Oct KC W S Oct 27 Ind W S Nov 2 GB W S Nov Chi W S Nov Jax W S Nov 23 NYJ L S Nov Det W S Dec 7 Cle W S Dec Hou L S Dec 21 Pit W S Dec Ind L S Totals / Playoffs Jan 10 Bal L S NA Totals 0-1 1/ NA Tennessee Titans Sept 12 Oak W S Sept 19 Pit L S Sept NYG W S Oct 3 Den L S Oct Dal W S Oct Jax W S Oct 24 Phi W S Oct SD L S Nov Mia L S Nov 21 Was L S Nov Hou L S Dec 5 Jax L S Dec 9 Ind L S Dec 19 Hou W S Dec KC L S Jan Ind L S Totals / Tennessee Titans Sept Jax L S Sept 18 Balt W S Sept 25 Den W S Oct Cle W S Oct Pit L S Oct 23 Hou L S Oct 30 Ind W S Nov 6 Cin L S Nov Car W S Nov Atl L S Nov 27 TB W S Dec Buf W S Dec 11 NO L S Dec Ind L S Dec 24 Jax W S Jan Hou W S Totals /

5 CORTLAND FINNEGAN S NFL STATISTICS REGULAR SEASON TACKLES INTERCEPTIONS FUMBLES Year Team GP GS Tot Solo Asst Sk Yds QBP TFL No Yds Lg TD PD FF FR Yds SpT 2006 Tennessee t Tennessee Tennessee t Tennessee Tennessee t Tennessee NFL Totals t REGULAR SEASON PUNT RETURNS KICKOFF RETURNS Year Team No FC Yds Avg Lg TD No Yds Avg Lg TD 2006 Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee NFL Totals PLAYOFFS TACKLES INTERCEPTIONS FUMBLES Year Team GP GS Tot Solo Asst Sk Yds QBP TFL No Yds Lg TD PD FF FR Yds SpT 2007 Tennessee Tennessee Playoff Totals PLAYOFFS PUNT RETURNS KICKOFF RETURNS Year Team No FC Yds Avg Lg TD No Yds Avg Lg TD 2007 Tennessee Tennessee NFL Totals Single-Game Highs Tackles - 15 at Cleveland (10/2/11) Sacks (Six times, last at Carolina 11/13/11) Interceptions - 2 (Twice, last vs. St. Louis 12/13/09) Interception Long - 99t vs. Houston (9/21/08) Passes Defensed - 4 at Miami (11/14/10) Forced Fumble - 1 (Twice, last vs. Washington 11/21/10) Fumble Recovery - 1 (Twice, last vs. Tampa Bay 11/27/11) Punt Returns - 4 at Pittsburgh (9/10/09) Punt Return Yards - 14 at Pittsburgh (9/10/09) Punt Return Long - 11 at Pittsburgh (9/10/09) Special Teams Tackles - 3 vs. Baltimore (11/12/06) Playoff Single-Game Highs Tackles - 9 at San Diego (1/6/08) Sacks - 1 at San Diego (1/6/08) Interceptions - 1 at San Diego (1/6/08) Passes Defensed - 1 (twice, last vs. Baltimore 1/10/09) Additional Statistics Touchdowns - 4 (92-yard fumble return vs. Jacksonville 12/17/06, 99-yard interception return vs. Houston 9/21/08, 39-yard interception return at San Francisco 11/8/09, 41-yard interception return vs. Philadelphia 10/24/10)