Nate Clements

[TitanAddict]

It seems like everyone is rumored to be going after Nate Clements once FA starts. A lot of teams have money to spend (like my Titans) and I'm trying to figure out where he'll go. My money right now is on either the Titans or 49ers.

I watched him play against Tennessee in week 15 this year, and he seems worth the hype. I'm curious as to why Buffalo won't re-sign him since they obviously have the cap room.

Does anybody have any insight on Nate Clements?

[Jughead10]

My problem with Buffalo attempting to resign Clements has to do with their scheme. In the Cover 2, CBs just shouldn't make close to Champ Bailey money. Namely because they aren't nearly as important. Champ Bailey, and the other top corners in the game, make big money mostly because of their ability in man to man and deep zone coverage. Where in a Cover 2, man to man coverage is masked. Just look at Chicago's corners for example. None of them are even considered good man to man defenders but they are good in their scheme, however most could be easily replaced.

[TitanAddict]

Oh ... I wasn't aware that Buffalo ran a cover 2. I thought they were straight-up man. Maybe they'll make a run at Nick Harper? He'll be a lot cheaper than Nate.

[Jughead10]

Nope they are running mostly Cover 2 out there. At least that what I am under the assumption of. Which is another reason why they had Donte Whitner so high on their draft board last year. As safeties are arguably more important in that scheme.

[dlions20]

Browns | Team will be aggressive in free agency
Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:53:30 -0800

Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns have $30 million in cap room and are planning to be aggressive in free agency.

Browns | Team might go after Clements in free agency
Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:13:10 -0800

Mary Kay Cabot, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the Cleveland Browns might go after Buffalo Bills CB Nate Clements in free agency.



Clements is from Ohio and has said he would like to play here before, much like other OSU players. i think we have the upper hand over everyone right now, because we will pay him what he wants most likely.[/quote]


i have a quetion. Does a 3-4 CB have to be anything different or can a 4-3 CB basically step into the 3-4 with no problem? I dont know if they need to be different in any way?

[SFbear]

My problem with Buffalo attempting to resign Clements has to do with their scheme. In the Cover 2, CBs just shouldn't make close to Champ Bailey money. Namely because they aren't nearly as important. Champ Bailey, and the other top corners in the game, make big money mostly because of their ability in man to man and deep zone coverage. Where in a Cover 2, man to man coverage is masked. Just look at Chicago's corners for example. None of them are even considered good man to man defenders but they are good in their scheme, however most could be easily replaced.

We play less Cover 2 and more man coverage than people think. Our corners are slightly underated for their man coverage skills. Slightly.

[Splat]

This guy is going to get so much money it is stupid he is a great player don't get me wrong he picked the right year to be a FA CB that is for sure.

[Jughead10]

My problem with Buffalo attempting to resign Clements has to do with their scheme. In the Cover 2, CBs just shouldn't make close to Champ Bailey money. Namely because they aren't nearly as important. Champ Bailey, and the other top corners in the game, make big money mostly because of their ability in man to man and deep zone coverage. Where in a Cover 2, man to man coverage is masked. Just look at Chicago's corners for example. None of them are even considered good man to man defenders but they are good in their scheme, however most could be easily replaced.

We play less Cover 2 and more man coverage than people think. Our corners are slightly underated for their man coverage skills. Slightly.

Manning is a decent man corner. Vasher on the other hand, eh, not so much.

[regoob2]

I hope he goes to the niners

[Brodeur]

He really isn't that great of a CB. He's probably around the 20-30 best CB's in the NFL and is the best CB in this years free agent market, but it shouldn't make teams want to give him a bigger contract than that of Champ Bailey(which he wants).

[Splat]

He really isn't that great of a CB. He's probably around the 20-30 best CB's in the NFL and is the best CB in this years free agent market, but it shouldn't make teams want to give him a bigger contract than that of Champ Bailey(which he wants).

He is top 15 IMO and has played like a top ten at times but is up and down at times.

[bigbluedefense]

My problem with Buffalo attempting to resign Clements has to do with their scheme. In the Cover 2, CBs just shouldn't make close to Champ Bailey money. Namely because they aren't nearly as important. Champ Bailey, and the other top corners in the game, make big money mostly because of their ability in man to man and deep zone coverage. Where in a Cover 2, man to man coverage is masked. Just look at Chicago's corners for example. None of them are even considered good man to man defenders but they are good in their scheme, however most could be easily replaced.

We play less Cover 2 and more man coverage than people think. Our corners are slightly underated for their man coverage skills. Slightly.

Manning is a decent man corner. Vasher on the other hand, eh, not so much.

From my observations, yes, Chicago did play a decent amount of man coverage, but only when there was a blitz coming. When you send 6 at the qb, man coverage becomes alot easier, and those are the times I see Chicago run man. Usually when they rush 4, I see a zone. I could be wrong though. The scheme is rather simple, they run a very basic scheme thats heavily dependent on player performances.

[keylime_5]

Cleveland's top 2 targets are probably gonna be Clements and Dielman. I would be suprised to see a team like Tennessee or San Francisco outbid for Nate who would choose the Browns over the Titans or '9ers if they all offered the exact same deal.

[Favre4]

due to the cover 2 defense, he has had the ability to play wrecklessly because he has help over the top. this may be different if he is asked to play man to man against a prototypical 6'3 220lbs receiver such as roy williams/ andre johnson/ reggie wayne.

[Jughead10]

This was the first year in the Cover 2. He was still great before that.

[SFbear]

My problem with Buffalo attempting to resign Clements has to do with their scheme. In the Cover 2, CBs just shouldn't make close to Champ Bailey money. Namely because they aren't nearly as important. Champ Bailey, and the other top corners in the game, make big money mostly because of their ability in man to man and deep zone coverage. Where in a Cover 2, man to man coverage is masked. Just look at Chicago's corners for example. None of them are even considered good man to man defenders but they are good in their scheme, however most could be easily replaced.

We play less Cover 2 and more man coverage than people think. Our corners are slightly underated for their man coverage skills. Slightly.

Manning is a decent man corner. Vasher on the other hand, eh, not so much.

Actually Manning was our nickelback and when he started in place of an injured Tillman and later injured Vasher, he was exposed for huge plays in man coverage.

Both Tillman and Vasher are superior to Ricky Manning. He makes a great nickelback though. If you recall Tillman had a pretty good game against Plexico when we pretty much declared we were going to play more man to man.

But as I said before, only slightly underated.

[keylime_5]

I think you guys are making a really big deal over the cover 2 thing. I'm suprised to hear people nagging about cover 2 or no cover 2 for Clements because he's played in both systems and has the skill set to really play in any defense whatsoever....he's big, physical, excellent cover skills, gets INTs, gets big play TDs on turnovers, can return punts, can tackle, play the run - he's a complete player and one of the top 15 corners in the league.

[yourfavestoner]

I think you guys are making a really big deal over the cover 2 thing. I'm suprised to hear people nagging about cover 2 or no cover 2 for Clements because he's played in both systems and has the skill set to really play in any defense whatsoever....he's big, physical, excellent cover skills, gets INTs, gets big play TDs on turnovers, can return punts, can tackle, play the run - he's a complete player and one of the top 15 corners in the league.

The problem is that he's a top 15 player who wants top 5 money. He's just not worth it.

Like I've said before, Buffalo has been drafting to replace Clements for a couple of years now. They won't shell out the big bucks for him, and they'll be smart for doing it. Professional football is a game of replacement, not a game of maintenance.

[Addict]

I think you guys are making a really big deal over the cover 2 thing. I'm suprised to hear people nagging about cover 2 or no cover 2 for Clements because he's played in both systems and has the skill set to really play in any defense whatsoever....he's big, physical, excellent cover skills, gets INTs, gets big play TDs on turnovers, can return punts, can tackle, play the run - he's a complete player and one of the top 15 corners in the league.

The problem is that he's a top 15 player who wants top 5 money. He's just not worth it.

Like I've said before, Buffalo has been drafting to replace Clements for a couple of years now. They won't shell out the big bucks for him, and they'll be smart for doing it. Professional football is a game of replacement, not a game of maintenance.

What's more interesting is, will he manage to find a team that is willing to pay him a top 5 salary.
If the guy is top 15, I doubt they're going to overpay him that badly, even if they've got ****loads of cap space.

[yourfavestoner]

I think you guys are making a really big deal over the cover 2 thing. I'm suprised to hear people nagging about cover 2 or no cover 2 for Clements because he's played in both systems and has the skill set to really play in any defense whatsoever....he's big, physical, excellent cover skills, gets INTs, gets big play TDs on turnovers, can return punts, can tackle, play the run - he's a complete player and one of the top 15 corners in the league.

The problem is that he's a top 15 player who wants top 5 money. He's just not worth it.

Like I've said before, Buffalo has been drafting to replace Clements for a couple of years now. They won't shell out the big bucks for him, and they'll be smart for doing it. Professional football is a game of replacement, not a game of maintenance.

What's more interesting is, will he manage to find a team that is willing to pay him a top 5 salary.
If the guy is top 15, I doubt they're going to overpay him that badly, even if they've got ****loads of cap space.

Look at the contract Brian Williams got from Jacksonville last year. With all of the cap space teams have, players' salaries are going way, way up - far beyond what used to be the established market price.

[Pit Bull #53]

I guess that the only problem I have with Clements is that his play has been up and down. Previous couple of years, his played hasn't mirrored his reputation, but this year, he was pretty damn good....in a contract year. How is he gonna play after he cashes in?

[Jughead10]

I think you guys are making a really big deal over the cover 2 thing. I'm suprised to hear people nagging about cover 2 or no cover 2 for Clements because he's played in both systems and has the skill set to really play in any defense whatsoever....he's big, physical, excellent cover skills, gets INTs, gets big play TDs on turnovers, can return punts, can tackle, play the run - he's a complete player and one of the top 15 corners in the league.

Of course he can play both. All the great corners could play in pretty much any scheme. My problem would be if the Bills gave him a 7 years 60 million dollar contract. Because you find guys for a WHOLE lot cheaper who can excel at Cover 2 but are more liabilities in man to man. They got a guy like that in the draft last year. Youbouty. He is perfect for the Cover 2 and I thought he was a steal for them where they got him in the draft. Bottom line is you don't spend that much money on a CB unless you are paying him for his amazing man lockdown potential.

[dlions20]

He really isn't that great of a CB. He's probably around the 20-30 best CB's in the NFL

Ya ok, your wrong.

Name me 20 CB's that are better than him. Much less 30, thats just pothetic.

If he wasnt that great Buffalo wouldnt have franchised him 2 years in a row, and want him back currently, but wont get him.

[princefielder28]

He'll be one of the few good/great ones out there

[keylime_5]

I agree with the point that a good cover 2 corner is a lot easier to find than a good man-to-man cover corner in a non-zone scheme. If there was one corner I'd want my team to overpay for Clements might very well be that guy, but that's mostly because I'm a monster OSU fan :)

[ckr50702]

What kind of system does Champ Bailey play in?

[AZ9er]

solar

[toonsterwu]

I'd look for Washington to be in this real strong. They should be able to clear out enough room for one big move or a couple small moves.

[Shiver]

I'd look for Washington to be in this real strong. They should be able to clear out enough room for one big move or a couple small moves.

You could say that about every free agent, every year. :lol:

[Zim3031]

I'd look for Washington to be in this real strong. They should be able to clear out enough room for one big move or a couple small moves.
But how will they make enough room to sign all of their draft picks?...





Oh wait, nevermind.

[Shiver]

I'd look for Washington to be in this real strong. They should be able to clear out enough room for one big move or a couple small moves.
But how will they make enough room to sign all of their draft picks?...





Oh wait, nevermind.

I for one am amazed we have as many Redskins fans here as we do. Why should they go to an NFL draft forum? :lol:

[art vandelay]

I'll clear the air here on Clements as a Bills fan who has watched a majority of his games.

He is a Top 2-4 corner when he is playing his best. He is extremely phyiscal, an elite tackler and has very good ball skills as well. He really is the complete package at CB.

However, Nate is streaky. He will go on stretches for 2-3 games where he plays uninspired and makes poor decisions. This happened a few times in 2005 but not as much in 2006. He played extremely well down the stretch this year after the BYE week where he was arguably the 2nd or 3rd best CB in the NFL.

Is this a coincidence that he had a great contract year? Probably not. I do think that he takes plays and even games off when he has an easy opponent (Patriots, Falcons WR's). However, I think that Nate has always thrived on challenges and plays his best against elite WR's. If he could remain focused for an entire year he would definitely be a top 3 corner.

P.S. - In 2005, arguably his worst year in the NFL, Chad Johnson still called him "the best CB in the league."

[art vandelay]

He really isn't that great of a CB. He's probably around the 20-30 best CB's in the NFL and is the best CB in this years free agent market, but it shouldn't make teams want to give him a bigger contract than that of Champ Bailey(which he wants).

This is a ridiculous statement. Try to name 20-30 CB's better than Clements. Wow.

[Shiver]

P.S. - In 2005, arguably his worst year in the NFL, Chad Johnson still called him "the best CB in the league."


Just stop. Chad Johnson has run his mouth, proclaiming every corner he faces the next week, as the 'best in the league.' Champ Bailey, Leigh Bodden, Al Harris, DeAngelo Hall, etcetera.

[art vandelay]

P.S. - In 2005, arguably his worst year in the NFL, Chad Johnson still called him "the best CB in the league."


Just stop. Chad Johnson has run his mouth, proclaiming every corner he faces the next week, as the 'best in the league.' Champ Bailey, Leigh Bodden, Al Harris, DeAngelo Hall, etcetera.

Has he named 20-30 corners the best in the league? I think not. This is proving a point that he is definitely one of the tops in the league. Besides Bailey, Clements, Bodden, Harris and Hall (even though I don't think he proclaimed all of them as the best in the league), can you name anyone else?

[Shiver]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

[ckr50702]

solar

I know that dumbass. You said that b/c you don't know.

[art vandelay]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

[art vandelay]

Nope they are running mostly Cover 2 out there. At least that what I am under the assumption of. Which is another reason why they had Donte Whitner so high on their draft board last year. As safeties are arguably more important in that scheme.

It is our base scheme but we do run a fairly good amount of Cover 3 and 44 even. I remember Levy talking last year about how he thought CB was important in our schemes.

I can't take this overpaying for a "Cover 2 CB" crap. Nate is a good CB and we run other schemes than Cover 2!

[SFbear]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

Dammit. Where are those Green Bay homers who always pop in with that Chad Johnson quote about Al Harris being the best in the league? :lol:

[yourfavestoner]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

Dammit. Where are those Green Bay homers who always pop with that Chad Johnson quote about Al Harris being the best in the league? :lol:

Don't. Even. Get. Me. Started.

[remix 6]

I'll clear the air here on Clements as a Bills fan who has watched a majority of his games.

He is a Top 2-4 corner when he is playing his best. He is extremely phyiscal, an elite tackler and has very good ball skills as well. He really is the complete package at CB.

However, Nate is streaky. He will go on stretches for 2-3 games where he plays uninspired and makes poor decisions. This happened a few times in 2005 but not as much in 2006. He played extremely well down the stretch this year after the BYE week where he was arguably the 2nd or 3rd best CB in the NFL.

Is this a coincidence that he had a great contract year? Probably not. I do think that he takes plays and even games off when he has an easy opponent (Patriots, Falcons WR's). However, I think that Nate has always thrived on challenges and plays his best against elite WR's. If he could remain focused for an entire year he would definitely be a top 3 corner.

P.S. - In 2005, arguably his worst year in the NFL, Chad Johnson still called him "the best CB in the league."

lol takes games off against Patriots? finally explains why Caldwell beat him and Chad Jackson had 5 steps on him in endzone(maybe it was McGee)

and he did call Bodden the best..he called DeAngelo the best CB but also said he was the best WR at same time.

he had mad praise for Asamougha..Bailey..

hes buttering the CBs up

[Vikes99ej]

We don't need him, that's for sure. It would be cool to have both of the good former Bills CBs, though.

[dlions20]

It would be cool to have both of the good former Bills CBs, though.


you mean Ohio State corners?

Ill take

CB - Antwain Winfield
CB - Nate Clements
nickle - Chris Gamle, Ashton Youbuty
FS - Donte Whitner
SS - Mike Doss, Will Allen

cha!!!

[P-L]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

Al Harris - http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/CIN/9006407
Johnson called Harris the best corner he has faced so far.

DeAngelo Hall - http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5621
Hall said he was honored to hear over the summer that Johnson called him the best corner in the league.

Champ Bailey - http://www.cincypost.com/bengals/2004/bengchad10-26-2004.html
Obviously, Bailey isn't going to lose his confidence. He still thinks he's the best cover corner in the league, which is exactly what Johnson said earlier this week.

[21ST]

Cant wait until he is a washington redskin

[bucknut12]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...

[255979119]

around 30 mill in cap room

Asante Samuel
Nate Clements

Now thats a nice tandem

[21ST]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...


Oh yes we do...trust me we got enough to get him, a few other people for depth and sign a first round top 10 pick

[art vandelay]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...


Oh yes we do...trust me we got enough to get him, a few other people for depth and sign a first round top 10 pick

Haha, you have less than $5 million in cap room...

[zoinks]

There are something like 20 teams with more than $20M to spend this year, and not a lot of quality players to spend it on. There are even a few teams in the $30-40M range.

The Redskins have $5M.


Wake up....there is zero chance of Clements landing in Washington. They'll be out of the bidding after the first round.

[Shiver]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

Al Harris - http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/CIN/9006407
Johnson called Harris the best corner he has faced so far.

DeAngelo Hall - http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5621
Hall said he was honored to hear over the summer that Johnson called him the best corner in the league.

Champ Bailey - http://www.cincypost.com/bengals/2004/bengchad10-26-2004.html
Obviously, Bailey isn't going to lose his confidence. He still thinks he's the best cover corner in the league, which is exactly what Johnson said earlier this week.

Bravo

[art vandelay]

He's praised Ike Taylor before. I don't remember, I started ignoring any and everything he says as without substance. Am I trying to say Clements isn't a very good corner? No. What I am saying is, everyone needs to chill on pulling out the 'Chad Johnson says' quotes.

Do you have any links to calling them "the best corner" in the NFL? Because I have one for Clements. He can praise people for being good corners, but did he declare them the best?

Al Harris - http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/CIN/9006407
Johnson called Harris the best corner he has faced so far.

DeAngelo Hall - http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5621
Hall said he was honored to hear over the summer that Johnson called him the best corner in the league.

Champ Bailey - http://www.cincypost.com/bengals/2004/bengchad10-26-2004.html
Obviously, Bailey isn't going to lose his confidence. He still thinks he's the best cover corner in the league, which is exactly what Johnson said earlier this week.

Bravo

I'll give you Champ and Hall, but Harris was only "the best corner he faced so far.

Anyway, this is not the point. The point is that Nate is one of the top 5 CB's in the NFL.

[Number 10]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/NYG/10018382

I hope this doesn't mean he is going to get Champ Bailey money

[Shiver]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/NYG/10018382

I hope this doesn't mean he is going to get Champ Bailey money

He will likely will make that, in a corner starved open market.

[smittyjs]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...


Oh yes we do...trust me we got enough to get him, a few other people for depth and sign a first round top 10 pick

Haha, you have less than $5 million in cap room...They do every season, but still gets around it.

[The Legend]

maybe to the BROWNS

http://www.billsinsider.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11544

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/SPORTS/70223010/1007

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=117&p=2&c=621310

[Shiver]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...


Oh yes we do...trust me we got enough to get him, a few other people for depth and sign a first round top 10 pick

Haha, you have less than $5 million in cap room...They do every season, but still gets around it.

It's too bad they always suck.

[UtepMiner]

Wow I would love to see him come to the Saints, but I seriously doubt that we have the spending amount to outbid the other teams for him...especially if he's looking for something close to Bailey money.

[smittyjs]

If he wants to go to a winner he'll go to N.O.

Cant wait until he is a washington redskinYa'll don't have nearly as much money to spend as you think...


Oh yes we do...trust me we got enough to get him, a few other people for depth and sign a first round top 10 pick

Haha, you have less than $5 million in cap room...They do every season, but still gets around it.

It's too bad they always suck.Yeah

[pysseddoph]

my turn.

as far as washington goes. imo playing for williams and grey is the very last thing nate wants to do. he hated that scheme and to date playing in that scheme is the reason many people doubt him and his abilities. id say it wasnt the scheme but the people that were running that scheme. dont count on nate wanting to play in washington.

as far as the cover 2 is concerned with the bills and majority of other teams as well. yes the bills run a cover 2 as their base scheme BUT the bills did not run that scheme exclusively. after the break last season when the coaches had a chance to look more at tape from the 1st half of the season the bills changed a couple of things. the bills didnt run as much cover 2 as many people think, the bills actually made nate a lock down corner and had him locked on a teams number 1 reciever if he was worthy of that attention and the bills ran a fair amount of 44 which demands you have a solid cover corner.

as far as nate being whatever ranked corner in the league. given nates age, size and ability the only corner that is hands down better than nate at this point in time is champ bailey. after this year there is good argument for hall but that is it. you have to look at the scheme a player is in because that scheme will tell you what a player is and isnt allowed to do. but more to the point, nate made a comment what 2 ... 3 years ago about his self worth and people found it somewhat offensive that he thought so highly of hisself. look at the corners around the league that have gotten serious money, as a player you look at them and say im better than him and im better than him. based on what they are getting i should be getting this. that is all that it was about. nate being paid on the same scale as his peers. nothing more nothing less. nate feels he is champ bailey type range because he feels he is that good and there is the argument that he actually could be that good.