Kerr
10-16-2006, 03:31 PM
Buffalo (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Buffalo/)
We hear that the Bills have been disappointed in the play of their starting cornerbacks, Nate Clements and Terrence McGee, thus far this season. What was considered to be a strength coming into the season has instead been a weakness, with the Bills creating only five interceptions in the first six games — none from their corners. Both players have too often been guilty of giving receivers too much cushion, missing tackles and failing to defend passes thrown their way. As one observer remarked about Clements, whom the Bills franchised this past offseason and are paying $7.226 million in salary, “He’s playing his way out of Buffalo.” Clements’ struggles haven’t been confined to this season, as the one-time playmaker (he had 18 interceptions in his first four seasons, returning four for touchdowns) has only two interceptions in his last 22 games. As for McGee, the Bills are concerned that his defensive struggles are affecting his special-teams play. One of the NFL’s most feared kickoff-return men has seen his kickoff-return average drop drastically after gaining more than 30 yards per kickoff last season. McGee did, however, rip off his longest return of the season last week — a 72-yarder in a loss to the Lions.
We hear that the Bills have been disappointed in the play of their starting cornerbacks, Nate Clements and Terrence McGee, thus far this season. What was considered to be a strength coming into the season has instead been a weakness, with the Bills creating only five interceptions in the first six games — none from their corners. Both players have too often been guilty of giving receivers too much cushion, missing tackles and failing to defend passes thrown their way. As one observer remarked about Clements, whom the Bills franchised this past offseason and are paying $7.226 million in salary, “He’s playing his way out of Buffalo.” Clements’ struggles haven’t been confined to this season, as the one-time playmaker (he had 18 interceptions in his first four seasons, returning four for touchdowns) has only two interceptions in his last 22 games. As for McGee, the Bills are concerned that his defensive struggles are affecting his special-teams play. One of the NFL’s most feared kickoff-return men has seen his kickoff-return average drop drastically after gaining more than 30 yards per kickoff last season. McGee did, however, rip off his longest return of the season last week — a 72-yarder in a loss to the Lions.