After coming out of retirement to make a Super Bowl run with the Carolina Panthers last season, veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan is back at it with the New Orleans Saints.Finnegan, 32, signed with New Orleans on Friday, according to a league source.The Saints have had injury issues at cornerback throughout the summer. However, veteran starter Keenan Lewis told ESPN that he intends to be close to 100 percent healthy by Week 1 and wants to avoid the short-term injured reserve list.Lewis, who has practiced only once during training camp while trying to recover from a lingering hip injury, said he doesnt want to rush back and never get fully healthy. He said that was the case last year, when he played in only six games with zero starts and had multiple surgeries on his hip.I dont want to be back on the field just to say, Hes out there. Im getting back to my form. If it takes a little time, then thats what its gotta be, said Lewis, who said his current injury is a strain, as opposed to the tear he suffered last year.Im gonna be back to the old Keenan real soon, said Lewis, who said he was compelled to speak up after seeing speculation on social media that he was injury-prone or might be done for the season. I just want to be to the point where I can play lock-down ball and I can last and not have major setbacks. ... I feel like players sometimes rush their situation. I tried that last year.Lewis also stressed that, even though they dont see me out there, that doesnt mean Im not working.Its unclear if the Saints agree with Lewis timetable or if theyre growing impatient and preparing for other options. But Lewis said he wont be helping himself or the team unless hes playing at 90 percent or above. And he doesnt want to be just a rotational backup.Im itching to pull the trigger on myself. But Ive got to be smart, Lewis said. If they want me to build my way back in, thats fine with me. But not at 60, 70 percent.I dont mind no competition. I dont care who they bring in.Finnegan offers a veteran option for the Saints, who have suddenly become extremely young at the cornerback position.Without Lewis, the Saints top five cornerbacks would be second-year pros Delvin Breaux, P.J. Williams and Damian Swann, plus undrafted rookies Ken Crawley and DeVante Harris.Williams, Crawley and Harris have been impressive this summer -- and Finnegan might have some trouble passing them up in the pecking order. But none of those three has ever played an NFL snap.Finnegan, 32, spent his first six seasons with the Tennessee Titans before playing with the St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins and Panthers. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder has 19 career interceptions, including one in Carolinas playoff opener last season.Finnegan, who earned a reputation as one of the leagues dirtiest players in various national polls and articles early in his career, has always been feisty and physical -- as was infamously displayed in a 2010 fight with Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson.Finnegan mostly served as a slot cornerback in Carolina last season. The Saints interest in Finnegan was first reported by the NFL Network.Yuli Gurriel Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Michael Brantley Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. Last weekend at UFC Fight Night 32 my #TeamLynch got the best of #TeamJC by a score of 9-6. Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter. http://www.baseballastrosproshop.com/george-springer-astros-jersey/ . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Brad Peacock Astros Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Aledmys Diaz Jersey . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Good things result from rebounds, and No. 8 Louisville succeeded against Western Kentucky by attacking the boards.Asia Durr scored 16 points, including two key 3-pointers 80 seconds apart in the fourth quarter, and Louisville outrebounded Western Kentucky 15-5 down the stretch for a 68-61 victory on Sunday.Louisville (8-2) erased a 38-32 halftime deficit with 10 straight points before Jaycee Coe rallied WKU (5-4) with three consecutive 3s, beginning a back-and-forth stretch that continued into the final quarter. The Cardinals 14-7 run helped them go ahead for good at 60-59 on Mariya Moores layup with 4:12 left, and Durr added a 3 with 3:33 to go.Offensive rebounds set up both baskets and symbolized Louisvilles fierce approach that also held WKU to 29 percent shooting in the final quarter.We just had to get a stop on defense and thats where it all started, said forward Myisha Hines-Allen, who also had 16 points with 11 rebounds, including an offensive board resulting in Durrs insurance 3.When we came out strong in the third quarter and were able to hold them, I dont know how many points we gained. Its just always defense, and then offense.Cortnee Walton added a layup and Briahanna Jackson and Hines-Allen combined for three free throws in the final minutes to seal the win in the intrastate matchup. Louisville avenged last seasons two-point loss in Bowling Green and has won seven of the last nine in the series.I was really proud how we started the fourth quarter defensively because we missed the first two shots, coach Jeff Walz said. But then we had stops too because all of a sudden if it (the deficit) goes from eight to 12, youve got big-time problems. So we actually defended, which was important.Ivy Brown scored 12 points and Tashia Brown had 11 for the Lady Toppers, who had won two in a row.THE BIG PICTUREWestern Kentucky: The Lady Toppers went 9 for 22 fromm 3-point range and led several times, but were dominated 41-25 on the boards and had several scoreless stretches that allowed Louisville to rally.dddddddddddd WKU shot 41 percent.Of her teams long-range shooting, coach Michelle Clark-Heard said, That is what we do, shoot the 3. When you are an undersized team and they are bigger than us, and most teams will be bigger than us, then its what we have to do.Kentucky transfer Kyvin Goodin-Rogers had eight points including two 3s and four rebounds in her WKU debut.Louisville: Freshman Sydney Zambrotta made 5 of 6 3-point attempts for 15 points while playing a season-high 16 minutes, providing a big boost. The Cardinals shot 46 percent from the field and 59 percent (10 of 17) from long range.I knew when I got in the game that I had to step up for my team, Zambrotta said, and Im happy we got the win.Louisvilles control inside made the difference late as it outscored WKU 28-18 in the paint.JUST A SUGGESTIONLouisvilles free throw struggles continued as it made just 4 of 9 attempts. Walz noted the Cardinals 3-point shooting and joked at changing the rule to allow his team to shoot freebies from long range.Were going to stand far back and see if the official will allow me to throw it from the bench, he said. (Just) shoot a 3 in stride because we do it better than we shoot free throws.POLL IMPLICATIONSLouisville should remain in the top 10 after beating its second in-state foe in a week. The Cardinals beat No. 15 Kentucky last Sunday.UP NEXTWestern Kentucky: Begins a five-game homestand on Thursday against Lipscomb.Louisville: Faces visiting South Dakota State for the first time on Wednesday night. The Jackrabbits return five starters from a 27-7 squad.---More AP College Basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '
