NFL Rumors: Conflicting Reports on Franchise Tag for Titans' Cortland Finnegan

Two different NFL insiders have the Tennessee Titans going opposite ways in terms of placing the franchise tag on free agent cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

Earlier on Friday morning, NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported via Twitter that the Titans were "likely to tag" Finnegan. 

However, ESPN's Adam Schefter followed that up with his own report on Twitter, saying that Tennessee "will not use place their franchise tag" on Finnegan and that he will be "allowed to become a free agent."

The Titans and Finnegan have been far apart in contract talks throughout this process. It appeared very early on that either using the franchise tag or allowing him to walk in free agency were the only two viable options. 

Under the franchise tag, Finnegan would earn roughly $10.5 million in 2012. The Titans have until Monday, March 5 to apply the tag. 

If Finnegan is allowed to reach free agency, which starts on March 13, he'll likely have several big-money suitors, including the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams. 

Dallas has an obvious need to upgrade their failing secondary, and the Rams have both the need and the connection between Finnegan and new head coach Jeff Fisher. The free-spending Washington Redskins might also get in the mix.   

Finnegan, 28, would likely enter free agency as the No. 2 cornerback on the market. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Finnegan graded out as the best defender on the Titans roster and third best cornerback overall in the NFL. He allowed just 456 yards and two touchdowns in coverage, including an average reception allowed of just 8.8 yards (fourth best in NFL). Finnegan also made 26 stops—which is defined as a tackle that constitutes an offensive failure—ranking him seventh in the NFL. 

To put that in statistical layman's terms, Finnegan was a very good cornerback against both the pass and run in 2011.

The $10.5 million cap number would be hard to swallow for the Titans next season, but he might be worth it. Finnegan surely will get a nice deal with $10 million or more in guaranteed money on the open market.