June 26, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former Samford football standout and current Tennessee Titan Cortland Finnegan was named one of the top 50 players in the National Football League by cbssports.com's Pete Prisco.

Finnegan was ranked 46th on the list. "He's a short corner, but he plays big," Prisco said in his column. "He doesn't back down. He's a good cover player and a good tackler."

Finnegan, who has been with the Tennessee Titans for the last three seasons, finished the 2008 season with 70 total tackles. He had 58 solo tackles and five interceptions.

Finnegan was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after collecting seven tackles (six solo), a career-high two interceptions and three passes defended in the Titans' 17-10 victory on opening day against Jacksonville.

Finnegan also set a franchise record with a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Houston on Sept. 21.

Finnegan and the Titans reached the first round of the NFL playoffs in 2008, falling to the Baltimore Ravens, 13-10.

Finnegan was also named to the NFL's All-Pro Team and he was selected for the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season.

Finnegan played at Samford from 2002 to 2005. He was a three-time All-America selection, three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree and he was named the OVC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2003.

For his Samford career, Finnegan had 338 tackles, including 176 solo stops. He also had nine interceptions in his Samford career. He led Samford in tackles in each of his last three seasons, and he was the OVC's leading tackler in 2003 with 108 tackles.