The Carolina Panthers announced the signing of veteran defensive back, Cortland Finnegan.  Best known for his continued fighting with Andre Johnson when he was with the Tennesee Titans, Finnegan was brought in to help the Panthers secondary in Peanut Tillman's absence (knee). For the last couple of weeks, Carolina moved Bene' Benwikere to the outside and inserted perennial special teams player, Colin Jones, to the slot positions. Jones, who has great speed, struggled in coverage, and it looks that the Rivera believed him to be a liability as a full-time nickel back.  

Adding Finnegan to the mix may mean that defensive coordinator, Sean McDermott, intends to move Benwikere back to the slot and put the veteran and former Pro Bowler opposite of Josh Norman in Tillman's stead. 

Finnegan hasn't played a full season since 2012.  He started 12 games with the Dolphins last season, but informally retired before the start of this season. Finnegan never officially filed the paperwork with the NFL, however.  

Finnegan clearly was open to the opportunity of playing on a Super Bowl contending team like the Panthers.  Adding a veteran guy with a some last fumes in the tank is a patented Dave Gettleman move, and one that has yielded nice returns in the past. 

By Tony Dunn, aka the Professor.