Finnegan insists sudden camp exit not about money

Posted: Monday, August 8, 2011 9:11 pm
By: AP

By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
NASHVILLE (AP) — Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan is defending himself on Twitter, saying he left training camp to deal with a personal matter and isn’t upset with his contract.
Finnegan wrote Sunday that he has spoken to coaches and teammates and will resume “all things asked.” He says his personal issue needed attention and he would be back playing today when he will answer all questions.
“My absence had nothing to do with a holdout yet a personal matter that Titan officials were aware of. I am grateful for being a Titan,” Finnegan wrote in one post. “I am also thankful for my current contract and direction of team.”
The Titans first noticed Finnegan had left camp when he didn’t attend a special teams practice Saturday morning, and general manager Mike Reinfeldt said after practice Saturday afternoon that the team had tried unsuccessfully to reach Finnegan. Reinfeldt said they were surprised he had left camp.
But Finnegan wrote the Titans knew of his absence and were disappointed he wasn’t there.
“Being absence from a team function doesnt mean holdout or your unhappy Family issues come up I’m human thank you Nashville for understanding,” Finnegan wrote.
The Titans did not immediately respond Sunday to Finnegan’s statements.
Finnegan’s agent, Terry
Watson, did not respond to a telephone message left at his office by The Associated Press on Saturday.
The Titans had just received a counteroffer from Watson on Friday, and Reinfeldt said they promised a response Monday. Finnegan is in the last year of his contract and due to earn more than $3.7 million this season.
The cornerback was a seventh-round draft pick in 2006 out of Samford who became a starter by his second season and has started every game he has played in since the start of 2007. He was an All Pro and Pro Bowler in 2008.
He has 13 career interceptions but only had two in 2010 when the Titans went 6-10. Finnegan’s biggest highlight last season may have been when Houston receiver Andre Johnson swung away at him Nov. 28, drawing fines for both.
Published in The Messenger 8.8.11