Cortland Finnegan Recruiting For Mark Dominik?
March 9th, 2012
Yesterday, Joe brought word of a local radio interview in which Tennessee free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan said if somehow Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik could land fellow free agents wide receiver Vincent Jackson of San Diego and middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch of Detroit, that Finnegan would be a shoo-in to join them on the Bucs.
“Sign me up,” Finnegan exclaimed.
It seems Finnegan is trying to do his part with Jackson.
Twittering yesterday, Yahoo! Sports columnist Jason Cole reported that Finnegan was hounding Jackson by text to join him with his new team.
Cole believes that new team is the Bucs.
@JasonColeYahoo: Cortland Finnegan has been texting VJax in hopes of recruiting him to CF’s next team, which is looking like Tampa.
Now if these two can just work on Tulloch.
Finnegan made no secret of his feelings toward the Bucs, and they were all positive. Now we all know that teams cannot talk to or otherwise openly discuss prospective free agents (wink, wink), but that doesn’t stop players from talking with one another.
So if Finnegan is coming to Tampa Bay, he’s helping the Bucs get a step ahead of other teams by going out and doing Dominik’s work for him before Dominik or any Bucs representative can recruit a free agent.
Locking up Finnegan, Jackson and Tulloch, and all of a sudden you are talking about a swift, instant upgrade.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:04 am
YEAH BABY ! hope its true…what would all the haters say then?
March 9th, 2012 at 9:05 am
BTW …looks like the Bucs have a special teams coach.. Bob Ligashesky.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:09 am
wasn’t Finnegan the guy who fought Ande Johnson at the line of scrimmage during a play? dude is tough and can tackle..
March 9th, 2012 at 9:09 am
Getting those three would be huge. Absolutely huge.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:09 am
Not a big fan of Vincent Jackson, but Finnegan and Tulloch would be great.
Throw in Carl Nicks, Dan Conner, Green-Ellis, Richard Marshall, Martellus Bennett, and Laron Landry……then I’ll be happy.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:10 am
I really hope this is true !! Ahh
March 9th, 2012 at 9:13 am
If Dominik pulls this off I’ll never say another negative thing about him.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Vincent Jackson is one more DUI away from doing hard time and getting a year long suspension. Pass.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:20 am
” Throw in Carl Nicks, Dan Conner, Green-Ellis, Richard Marshall, Martellus Bennett, and Laron Landry……then I’ll be happy.”….
Damn jessup what.da hell are u grocery shopping or just not that in tune with how pro football works there is noway we sign ur laundry list of dream players maybe a few but Damn come on dude be realistic
March 9th, 2012 at 9:29 am
If they sign those three guys I will buy season tickets for sure.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Let’s not forget the Bucs were the key to many rumors last season, and even this is just speculation by Cole. When you have the most cap room expect to be the focus of all potential FA landing spots.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:36 am
We’ll see what happens on Tuesday. Seeing is believing.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Jessup, that’s a ridiculous list. 3 top tier free agents would be an incredible haul. Your list has EIGHT top tier or borderline top tier guys. That will never happen for any team, anywhere, anytime.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Ughhhh one can dream right? Finnegan, Claiborne, talib, and barber, Tulloch, foster, and Zachary brown(unc) with our def line…..mmmmmm
March 9th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Teams and players may not be able to talk to each other, but with the money the Bucs have free you can be damn sure agents are calling and measuring interest. If the Bucs aren’t the first on these two guys schedules to meet with on Tuesday then I don’t think we’re getting them. The big names usually don’t make a big tour, they know before the start of free agency what offer is on the table.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:43 am
I like the athlete that VJ is – which is needed. His route running and hands are less than great but he would easily be our best option.
CF is a huge upgrade. I agree with those arguing that the bucs need to not ignore LB and safety.
If they end up with 2 tier 1 fa’s like Jackson and Finnegan and 2 Tier 2 players like Tulloch and Porter etc
March 9th, 2012 at 9:45 am
who is the best MLB between Tulloch and Lofton ? any idea for SS upgrade ?
thx have a nice day
go bucs baby !
March 9th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Wow, Thomas 2.2, a legitimate football post that has merit and no put-downs. Can we expect more of this? Or is Capt Tim cramping your style? I like the new Thomas!
March 9th, 2012 at 9:55 am
@Jessup, you play too much Madden.
March 9th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Yes, yes and yes.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:01 am
This would be an instant upgrade indeed! Tulloch would provide some much needed help at LB. Also Jackson would be a huge addition to the WR core allowing the offense to stretch the field more. Finnegan has a mean demeanor when he plays and I love the intensity. This could be awesome!!
March 9th, 2012 at 10:03 am
While I’ve been a huge advocate of getting Wallace, but if Finnegan could pull this off and we get some combo of Finnegan/VJax & Nicks or Finnegan/VJax & Tulloch in FA, and then we go draft Claiborne at 5. I’d be extremely pleased with that offseason & have a real nice core/team going forward.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Realistically, there is not one player in our back seven that cannot be upgraded. Obviously Foster will still be there, but besides him, they all can go. Our two most gifted players back there are both absolute morons. I would not be surprised to see five or six new DB’s and LB’s brought in this year.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Very exciting…it’s like college recruiting has made its way to the NFL!
March 9th, 2012 at 10:18 am
I hate to rain on everyone’s parade, but this story smells like a guy who heard the interview and made it up to get attention. I would love for this to happen, but Finnegan doesn’t even know yet if an offer from Dom is coming.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:20 am
Not sure how I feel about this all just yet
March 9th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Marcus Trufant would be a great pick up in the secondary. If healthy, he’s an above average corner. As well, he’ll probably come cheap due to his back problems.
Kamerion Wimbley should get a sniff once the Raiders release him, too.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:25 am
WOW! That is awesome. There has been alot of talk on Finnegan and VJax and just yesterday I was driving home wondering whichLB they should target and I thought of Tulloch.
Now, to hear this from Finnegan… AWESOME>
Sounds like Finnegan has made a deal behind the scenes already.
Sign those 3 and a O-Lineman for depth and a DT for depth then go get a DB, LB, and speedy RB in the draft.
I also think they will probably get a TE but free agency AND the draft look weak in that regard. Maybe Stocker stays healthy and shows something this year.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Jackson would definitely be an upgrade over our current crop of receivers. Pop star has his work cut out for him this year though. There are so many holes that need to be plugged. The Offense need game breakers and defense needs serious help in the linebacker department. I think any veteran acquisitions would be a good thing at this point as long as they have some productive years left.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:55 am
That’s an awful lot of talk prior to the start of FA.
Regardless, it’s a pipe dream. There’s no way this franchise snares all three of those players. If the Bucs actually pull it off I’ll be happy to post up large helpings of the crow dinner I’ll be sitting down to eat, but I’m thinking I’ll be maintaining a crow-free diet.
Logic and history presents a picture that doesn’t include any more than 1 of those guys, and likely doesn’t have that guy in it either. I’m thinking it’s far more likely that we’re looking at a scenario like Gruden’s first off-season. A bunch of road-grade guys with 1-3 B to B+ players. If we’re REALLY lucky we’ll see a big name sign up.
Premier/marquee guys just aren’t going to get signed in numbers. Danny Snyder doesn’t own the Bucs.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Sign me up for those guys.
Would set things up very well for the draft.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:13 am
@BKNY
Wimbley should get more than a sniff, we should sign him. Would instantly start at SLB over Black. He is versatile and can blitz and play the run rather well. We will be in a base 4-3 defense, therefore he can play linebacker and put his hand in the dirt and play DE, however we will also be playing some 3-4 at times as well, which he would fit into as well.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Mike FLoyd reminds me of Jackson .. Just younger .. I think Vince Jackson has a couple DUIs ..
Its amazing how much people buy this hype … A web reporter .. says Finn is texting Jackson to join him .. You Jackson gives a damn ??? He wants the most money.
And Jason Cole says … “I think its the Bucs” and all hell breaks loose .. Remember what assuming does
March 9th, 2012 at 11:30 am
I think Cortland coming to TB is a done deal.
Ive always said – no one wants to come to TB. Cortland who will prob sign a 12:01a contract with the Bucs and has already been told: “Help us recruit talent” the way Ray Lewis, Brady (and countless others) do every off season.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@jvato24
You talking Floyd from ND? Didn’t he have some issues off the field already in college?
March 9th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Finnegan and Jackson would be great!!
Tulloch is ok…..but i wouldn’t consider him a real huge signing. I’m still hoping for Carl Nicks
March 9th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Just watched a video on NFL.COM jason lacanfora was saying where he thinks the top FAs will land and………………..He didnt even mention the Bucs with any names so ill believe it when is see it.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Dave .. Yeah he did … kinda why Floyd reminds me of Jackson .. haha
Finnegan to TB is far from a done deal and they didnt tell him to go recruit talent.
Money talks and if the Cowboys offer more money … than Finn will take it. The higher bid he quietly receives now .. the more he can get from the next team. Finn to Tampa has a LOONNNG way to go.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Carl Nicks makes Tampa better, and weakens the division champs.
With Nicks, our secondary gets better, because we control the ball more.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Canadianbuc … So LaCanfora didnt mention the Bucs as a landing spot … So your saying theres a chance ?!?!?
March 9th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Tulloch has been awesome the past two years with two different teams. He is one of the best MLBs in the league. He would be a tremendous upgrade to the Bucs poor LB lineup.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
its pretty cool we have a Miami Heat thing going on!!!
March 9th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
We’re dreaming, but it’s the right time of year.
Signing those three would be the best thing to happen to this team in ages! Would absolutely be a huge upgrade at two spots, and give Josh a weapon he needs on offense!
It would also show that the Glazers are now committed to winning!
Would love to see it
Then draft Claibourne, a WLB, a LG, and a RB- boom! We are in business
Nice ta dream- hope it happens
March 9th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
ha,jvato ur right if lacanfora says it lnow its wrong
March 9th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
“Cortland Finnegan Recruiting For Mark Dominik?” ~ I look at it as Mark Dominick’s creative way to recruit (outsourcing if you will). Pure genius!
March 9th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Carl Nicks is not returning to the Saints, so we don’t need to sign him to keep him away from them. NO WAY can they afford Nicks.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
LaConfora was saying Mike Sherman was going to be our HC for two weeks. Peter King put out his Top 50 FA today I don’t think he linked us to one player. National media gives us no love and probably shouldn’t when it involves spending money, until Bucs prove they will actually do it.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
If this 3 pack comes through. It will be the biggest talk of Florida since the singing of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosch for the Heat. Tampa would get instant credibility and national attention. Would also but butt’s in the seats next year. All around win win .