St. Louis Rams: Cortland Finnegan Looks To Be A Leader In St. Louis' Defense - Missouri Sports Magazine

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St. Louis, MO (Shane Gray, Missouri Sports Magazine)

When the St. Louis Rams hired former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, one of the first things that came to my mind was this: the Rams will likely target prized free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who shared mutual time with Fisher in Nashville and produced his best season to date when the two were teamed up.

Of course, as you know, the Rams not only targeted the physical and fiery Finnegan, a first team All-Pro selection in 2008, but they got their man, inking him to a five year, $50 million dollar contract, one of the bigger deals of the entire offseason.

Upon landing Finnegan this Spring, Jeff Fisher did not mince words in showering the aggressive, bighearted corner with praise, as shared in this piece from Jim Thomas for stltoday.com.

“He’s a complete corner in that he’s got great cover skills,” Fisher said. “He’s a run-support corner. He’s got flexibility to move. There’s always the potential to match him up on a top receiver on a game-to-game basis. He’s a very, very hard worker every day. Consistent on the practice field. Consistent in the weight room. Understands preparation. We’re going to have some younger players in the room, and I think he’ll be a great example for them.”

Finnegan, now in the Gateway City after six seasons in Nashville, has enjoyed the warm welcome he has received here and is anxious to show what he can do in the NFC, just as he did in the AFC.

“Yeah, you know what, it’s been a warm welcome from the fans and just just a chance to re-prove myself,” said Finnegan. “I’m excited to be back (with Fisher) and I’m humbled for another chance to play football.”

The North Carolina born Finnegan will not only get another chance to play football, as he said, but play some great football at that, as is evidenced Aaron Schatz’ report at footballoutsider.com that showed Finnegan giving up the fewest yards per pass in the NFL among cornerbacks a season ago. With all that said, however, his presence, and not just his play, will be paramount in providing veteran leadership and in assisting in implementing Fisher’s defense.

“I want to bring leadership and good qualities to this team,” Finnegan explained. “It’s always reiterating what the coaches say and definitely honing in on your skills but also being coachable,” said Finnegan, “and definitely showing these guys what the coach says is always the right thing no matter what.”

General manager Les Snead, too, touched on the leadership and guidance that Finnegan brings, as expressed earlier in the offseason and shared here by Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com.

“Cortland’s a building block, but what he’s also going to do is, because of his leadership skills, because of what he brings to the field,” Snead continued, “he’s going to help us develop the young players we bring in and develop those players to be the type of players we want them to be.”

Head coach Jeff Fisher, also per Wagoner’s above linked piece, touched on the same topic.

“He (Finnegan),” Fisher said, “has made our defense better today (upon signing) and he will continue to help to make our defense better with his leadership skills, his work ethic, both on and off the field.”

In coming to the STL, Finnegan became an integral piece of a defense that is suddenly loaded with talent.

In addition to Finnegan, this defense boasts the talents of ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn, tackles Kendall Langford and Michael Brockers (a first round pick), rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins, stud middle linebacker James Laurinaitis and former Pro Bowler and two-time second team All-Pro safety Quintin Mikell.

That, my friends, is a serious collection of NFL talent, part of a bigger group that many feel could mold into a formidable St. Louis defense this Fall.

Of course, talent in and of itself does not necessarily equate to success, as Finnegan is quick to point out.

“I feel like we can do well but we have to work hard and that starts everyday in practice,” Finnegan asserted. “You don’t want to make a prediction or anything like that but I feel if we continue to work work hard we’ll make some plays along the way and that’ll be a good thing.”

What could also be a great thing, something I mentioned to Finnegan that caused excitement to exude from his voice, a joyful laugh to spring forth, a smile to cross his face and a light to gleam from his eyes, was the prospect that this potentially exceptional defensive line could make it easier for himself and his secondary mates to make plays.

“You know, you always hope for that (extra chances to make plays in pass defense due to a strong rush),” Finnegan stated. “When your defensive line is your nucleus like it is here, you hope for that. When you’re putting pressure on the quarterback they’re giving up opportunities on the back end to make plays.”

Of course with Finnegan, who loves helping others off the field, it is no surprise that he desires to return the aforementioned aid that the defensive line will likely give the secondary by providing long, solid coverage that will help the men up front.

“And we hope vice versa,” Finnegan continued, “that we can cover long enough for them to get sacks.  So, it goes hand in hand. But our defensive line is our backbone so when they’re rockin’ and rollin’ we’re alright.”

If indeed this defense starts rockin and rollin the way it potentially could, it could play a critical role in a bounceback season for the Rams.

As Finnegan himself said during the offseason, the Rams are not here looking to rebuild in the offseason, but to win.

“We’re not rebuilding by any stretch,” Finnegan said. “We’re going to start to put it together, push each other and win football games.”

After a 15-65 stretch over the last five seasons, equating to the worst winning percentage in league history, all of St. Louis and Rams Nation hopes Finnegan is right.