Last year the Dolphins needed a veteran cornerback and got Brent Grimes to do a one-year prove-it contract worth $5.5 million.
This year, the Dolphins wanted a veteran cornerback -- in case youngsters Jamar Taylor or Will Davis do not step up and start -- and they went further to land Cortland Finnegan than they did for Grimes last year.
The contract Finnegan signed Friday was indeed for two years and worth $11 million, as first reported by NFL Media. The deal includes a $2 million signing bonus and a $3.5 million base salary for 2014 that is guaranteed.
The deal's second year is for $5.45 million in base.
The deal also includes $25,000 in workout bonsuses in both '14 and '15.
What does that mean?
It means the Dolphins are fully committed to Finnegan in 2014.
If he is bad in camp, he probably doesn't get cut because the investment is significant. Last year Finnegan was not very good for the Rams and that, plus his big contract signed in 2012, is the reason he was cut.
If he gets injured, well, that's the breaks. Last year, Finnegan finished the season on injured reserve as he fractured an orbital bone in his face.
The sides did agree to a skill/injury provision to the base salary guarantee to mitigate but not totally alleviate damage if things don't go as planned.
Finnegan said during a conference call on Friday he expects to compete for a starting job in Miami. He better. He's getting paid like it.
The point is, for a prove-it contract this deal shows the Dolphins are either very confident or very foolish that Finnegan will do exactly that. Prove it.
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