Does Finnegan Fit The New “Buccaneer Way?”
March 9th, 2012
Of course, nearly every cornerback this side of PacMan Jones seems like a model citizen when compared to Aqib Talib.
Joe gets why lots of Bucs fans would cheer if Talib was cut tomorrow. But then Joe looks at soon-to-be-free-agent cornerback Courtland Finnegan, who has a history of on-field anger issues. The guy was fined three times by Roger Goodell in 2010; one followed an ejection.
Sure, Finnegan hasn’t belted cabbies or swung deadly weapons at teammates, but the guy has black marks in his past. Plus he had a bizarre alleged contract holdout last season.
Then there’s the widely held knock on Finnegan that he’s only a slot cornerback.
Regardless, Finnegan is a good football player, and likely a heck of a lot better than Myron Lewis or E.J. Biggers, but Joe’s wondering whether he’s a character guy Greg Schiano and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik allegedly are seeking to emulate the new “Buccaneer Way.”
Those who hate Talib for being a loose cannon might find the same kind of guy in Finnegan if he joins the Bucs — and at three or four times the price.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
There is a difference. Finnegan plays with intensity and passion and anger and it sometimes gets him in trouble on the field.
Talib (allegedly) plays with intensity and passion and anger OFF the field.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Finnegan may be a “dirty” player on the field, but much like Hines Ward he is a great citizen off the field. CF is involved in more than a few charities and has a great reputation in Tennessee for his work with kids. I’ll take the borderline player on the field over the Talib who is a problem off the field and a liability on the field.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Agree ^^^^ I will take intensity and passion over whatever it was we saw last year at the CB position
March 9th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Carr first then Napoleon
March 9th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Joe
Bad article. With a bit of of sh*t stirring mixed in. Finnegan is exactly what any team is looking for. Nasty ON the field. Not off the field.
All this could have been avoided and we possibly could have got a better player if the rock star opened his cheque book last year and made a run at namdi asamougha.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Or John Joseph
March 9th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
Joe here,
@Matt – “Bad article.” Nice. Well, the Titans are one team that doesn’t want Finnegan anymore. …We’ll see what the demand is for him.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
I disagree. It is a subject that bares attention…because at some point it will come up anyway. Just because you want the guy, that doesn’t mean all angles should not be considered.
@Admin
I reckon the demand for him is going to be high.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
You have to admire Finnegan’s Courage ?
Look at the size difference between him and Andre Johnson, yet he took Johnson’s best shots, kept his cool, and got Johnson kicked out of the game.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Joe
Sorry joe didn’t mean to cause offence. But finnegan seems to be a stand up guy at first glance. I’d welcome him with open arms and I’m sure he’ll get some big contract offers from a quite a few teams. Hopefully the best from the bucs.
In the article you said “anger issues on field” you’ve not used the correct words. Just because he likes to talk on te field doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. He plays with an intensity and plays with a “lombardian ethic”. He plays to win. The sooner he comes the better.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Not alot of people liked Warren Sapp … But he helped us win football games and wasnt a problem off the field.
Ill take him all day. My only hold up is the Slot cornerback role. But i believe Barber is a slot corner back and holds up quite well on the outside.
I dont know about you, but I like my defenders a little bit crazy.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@pete dutcher
I agree all angles should be covered but find something were he’s been an ass off the field. Seems like a normal guy who is simply playing to his strengths
March 9th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Finnegan plays with an edge against the opposition on the field, and is a model citizen off it.
Talib plays with an edge against teammates and officials on the field, and is a sociopath off it. He is also frequently injured and he freelances.
There is no comparison between these 2. It’s going to come down to the highest bidder.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Joe…not going to say bad article, just going to say that I disagree.
I like the attitude that he plays with between the lines, think R Lewis or Nickerson as a CB. Also, not in this post, but people has crucified him for getting beat up by Andre Johnson in the past.
I’d like to honestly know how many people would have the stones to get in somebodys face and not back down when they tower over you….just saying, I respect the way he plays the game.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@thomas2.2
Well done son! Nailed it! Wouldn’t mind talib staying for one more year though. He’s in a contract year so he might change his ways!
March 9th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
I wish fans would stop trying to make all football players model citizens. Some are, some aren’t. Lots of good players have a rep – Suh has a rep, Sapp had a rep, Talib is in a category all to himself, but I’m willing to let the coaches make that decision. We have a team loaded with good guys and team captains that went 4-12 last year. Tebow is a devout christian, but for some reason Peyton Manning is there today. At some point, it just football and people just want to win! I’m willing to leave it at that!
March 9th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Did anybody else notice that Peyton Manning got released?
I can’t believe this isn’t getting more attention!!!
March 9th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
LOVE them both
March 9th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@gotbbucs
Because in the Tampa area it means nothing.
Personally, I hope Manning goes to Denver and wins another SB ring next year before the Bucs start their streak 🙂
March 9th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Not comparable to the serious off field issues Talib has.
March 9th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@ Dave
I was being sarcastic.
March 9th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Guys .. I think Joe is playing Devils advocate on Finnegan and it is worth mentioning … But at the end of the day … Make him a Buc ..
We have too many little b*tches on Defense.
March 9th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Not at all accurate. Finnegan has twice been nominated as the Titans man of the year, for his work and contributions to the community.
He is a ferocious hitter, and plays in a state of Rage- beautiful to watch. That’s why he has been voted to the ProBowl- and voted an AllPro by the NFL players, who respect his talent and passion.
Talib sucks, and needs to go.
Thomas. Nice post
March 9th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Isn’t Carr a better fit ? He is taller,What about speed? I don’t think we go wrong either way but worth considering. Could we get C. Rogers at a better deal ? What about Assante in a trade down in the first + some picks (maybe a 2nd and a fourth).Would Aaron ross be a good second tier guy for depth.
I think our corner situation can be upgraded many ways and we may be able to add more depth and overall quality by splitting some of the cash stash up on many quality guys and ringing in 1 or 2 huge difference makers/game changers (nicks,williams)
I know we don’t need williams but how many times do you have the money and a guy like this is out there,never!! so you jump.same goes for nicks.We could afford both and still get a decent corner and lofton at mlb& landry at safety.We can draft Speed back/reciever in 2nd or 3rd and help out corner with our first pick.
March 9th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Talib doesn’t suck. I’m sorry guys but everyone who has been saying that is over the line. Do I think he’s the best CB in the game? No. Do I think he is in the elite top 10? No. But he is a good CB, and there is no reason not to keep him for at least the last year of his contract.
And to make this comment related to the post, I think Finnegan would be an awesome pick up.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Come on Joe we don’t even have the guy yet. It’s not so much getting Finnegan. It’s getting him and Jackson as a package deal. Any negativity that will go against landing these guys is unproductive and ridiculous. I’m sure you don’t see articles in Miami or Denver about why Manning shouldn’t come here. Come on Joe.. Don’t jinx the damn thing.
March 9th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
MichiganBuc- did you miss the entirety of last season??
You know- the 30 and 40 point beat downs!, with teams throwing on us at will.
Where the heck did you see a good defender- much less good CB, on that field?
4-12 teams aren’t really loaded with good players.
Hopefully, he gets thrown in prison , for shooting at his Brother in law.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Capt.Tim…..I usually like most of your posts, but I don’t think you’ve given Talib anywhere near enough credit. The guy was a damn good CB for us until last season…..would’ve gone to a pro bowl if he had played for a team that actually receives attention.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Apparently we aren’t the only one that missed the season last year. Some one went on record that Talib was burned for 2 TD’s against Jax. I’m still trying to figure out how that is possible, when he didn’t play that game. Of course said person could just admit he was wrong and perhaps jumped the gun, but that doesn’t fit with his personality (disorder). I’m not saying any names, because I don’t want this person to cry anymore. He gets very emotional. He was probably a biter in preschool.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Patrick- thanks. And visa versa!
But Talib is a spot where I absolutely stand my ground. I realize that it is unpopular to expect decent behavior from role models. I realize that many people don’t care how the people their children idolize behave.
I buy tickets. I help pay the players salary. I realize that, despite that, I am not expected to complain about a guy who is a constant embarrassment to team and town.
A guy running around, smacking teammates in the face with helmets, tring to fight officials, shooting at his brother in law, in a urban neighborhood, is all ok with a lot of people now days. They don’t care, if they think he may have talent
They don’t care- even if he quits on his teammates, and the Coach who stuck his neck out for him.
If he shot an old lady, and get away say with it- they Ould still want him her, and would buy his jersey for their children.
It matters to me. But thats probaly why I do the work I do.
I’m glad it matters to me. Playing in the NFL is no a birthright. It is a privlege. Payed for by the fans of their team.
Soon, it won’t matter to anyone anymore.
But I wonder how badly life will have declined in this country, when no one cares about how people treat each other- as long as they are rich/ talented
I will now stand down from my soapbox. And will TRY to avid this particular distasteful and degrading subject again
March 9th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
“shooting at his brother in law, in a urban neighborhood, ”
———
OH NO!!!!! Not an urban neighborhood!!!!! I didn’t realize it was in an urban neighborhood. If it was in a rural neighborhood like I thought, then it would be a different story. Talib must now be cut for being in an urban neighborhood. Lock him up and throw away the key!
March 9th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
Hawaiian- still clueless. Started to read your post,, and write a response. Buuut, decided not to waste that 30 seconds of life.
Cause I bet you’re still moaning like an old woman.
Don’t worry, keep defending the bad elements of the world. You are exactly the kinda guy they love. The Bad ones really like the” don’t stand up, no confrontation “types.
Lol
March 9th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Get your panties out of your butt Captain. It was a joke! Lighten up and stop taking yourself so serious. Nobody else does.
But for the record, you actually did write a response.
March 10th, 2012 at 1:50 am
Lol- I suppose that was a “no response” response!
But, I gotta admit, you make me feel like a celebrity! Following me from post o post reading my every word, and discussing my opinions.
Jarrett said he only post here, to respond to my post!
I’m flattered. I have reached the stage as a poster, where my opinions have warranted “poster Groupies”
Although, I gotta admit, all my previous groupies were hot chicks!
So you to following me around, is kinda creepy.
But, as I am always right in my predictions here, I suppose this kinda adoration was inevitable.
Kinda gay- but inevitable!
Lmao- that’ll be hard ta get around- considering your recent body of work here!
March 10th, 2012 at 1:51 am
Finnegan is more Warren Sapp than Aqib Talib.
Hey be a nasty s.o.b. ON THE FIELD.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:47 am
……and you still refuse to acknowledge your error about the Jax game. Just do it buddy, I promise it won’t kill you.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:49 am
Just so you know the truth, the reason I go after you as of late is because #1, you have become pretty obnoxious towards others. You can argue with people all day (that’s half the fun of this site), but you cross the line far too much lately. #2 You are completely full of yourself (I predicted this, I’m always right, you’re clueless if you disagree with me, etc.) #3 You have taken Thomas’s throne as the most negative poster on this site (FYI, that’s not a good thing). #4 It’s the offseason and this sure as hell beats watching baseball all summer (no offense to all you baseball fans – it’s just not for me).
March 10th, 2012 at 2:49 am
But if you want to believe I am stalking you, more power to you. You have previously said I’m a grandma going through menopause, so I guess I just want a little piece of the Captain. Now excuse me while I go swallow my own vomit.
March 10th, 2012 at 2:56 am
Why don’t you two just screw and get it over with.
March 10th, 2012 at 3:09 am
Fire the Cannon- lmao-
I’m playing hard ta get!
For a big guy, I’m such a coy lil devil!
March 10th, 2012 at 4:25 am
I’m so glad I didn’t post anything in this thread.
Oh, wait…
CRAP!