For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

[BillsFever21]

We can always bring in Fred Thomas from the Saints. He did one hell of a job this season. Especially in the playoffs.

It's not easy to find top tier CB's. The NFL has turned into a league of a lot of good QB's, WR's and top threat passing games. If you don't have a top CB to stop all the high level passing attacks then you will end up with somebody like Fred Thomas as your starting CB.

[Carlton Bailey]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

I agree. I've also seen a lot of people saying things like, "If we lose Clements, we can sign Asante Samuel."

Um, no. Samuel picked off 11 passes this year, Clements 3. I'm pretty sure Samuel will demand equal or more money.

[Ickybaluky]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Just to play devils advocate...

CB in the Tampa-2 don't need to be great in man-to-man coverage or have great top speed. Because the S play a 2-deep zone the majority of the time, the CB knows he has help over the top. In the Tampa-2, the CB need have great short-area quickness and be good tacklers (since they have run-force responsibilities). They need to be physical and quick, and to a good job anticipating routes and playing smart.

One of the reasons Fred Thomas got so exposed in the Saints defense is because they are a more agressive blitzing team that leaves their CB in man coverage more often, out-on-an-island as they say. The Tampa-2 does not do that.

In fact, Tony Dungy always felt he could get good cover-2 CB in the mid-rounds of the draft, because he didn't need to look for guys with the great 40-times. He wanted great athletes, but straight-line speed wasn't as important because the S would be there to help over the top on deep routes. The best cover-2 CB Dungy ever had was Ronde Barber, who he was able to get in the 3rd round because Barber did not have top-notch 40-times.

[DraftBoy]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Just to play devils advocate...

CB in the Tampa-2 don't need to be great in man-to-man coverage or have great top speed. Because the S play a 2-deep zone the majority of the time, the CB knows he has help over the top. In the Tampa-2, the CB need have great short-area quickness and be good tacklers (since they have run-force responsibilities). They need to be physical and quick, and to a good job anticipating routes and playing smart.

One of the reasons Fred Thomas got so exposed in the Saints defense is because they are a more agressive blitzing team that leaves their CB in man coverage more often, out-on-an-island as they say. The Tampa-2 does not do that.

In fact, Tony Dungy always felt he could get good cover-2 CB in the mid-rounds of the draft, because he didn't need to look for guys with the great 40-times. He wanted great athletes, but straight-line speed wasn't as important because the S would be there to help over the top on deep routes. The best cover-2 CB Dungy ever had was Ronde Barber, who he was able to get in the 3rd round because Barber did not have top-notch 40-times.

Hello Daymeian Hughes!

[OpIv37]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

First, it doesn't matter how hard or easy it is to replace him- it's something that has to be done because we WILL be outbid for Clements' services.

Second, the mistake here is the assumption that Clements is a top-tier CB. The guy had like 5 or 6 good games out of the last 32, and easily twice as many really bad ones. The guy is simply not "top tier" enough to risk hosing the cap and not fixing the DL cuz of his contract.

[jamze132]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Just to play devils advocate...

CB in the Tampa-2 don't need to be great in man-to-man coverage or have great top speed. Because the S play a 2-deep zone the majority of the time, the CB knows he has help over the top. In the Tampa-2, the CB need have great short-area quickness and be good tacklers (since they have run-force responsibilities). They need to be physical and quick, and to a good job anticipating routes and playing smart.

One of the reasons Fred Thomas got so exposed in the Saints defense is because they are a more agressive blitzing team that leaves their CB in man coverage more often, out-on-an-island as they say. The Tampa-2 does not do that.

In fact, Tony Dungy always felt he could get good cover-2 CB in the mid-rounds of the draft, because he didn't need to look for guys with the great 40-times. He wanted great athletes, but straight-line speed wasn't as important because the S would be there to help over the top on deep routes. The best cover-2 CB Dungy ever had was Ronde Barber, who he was able to get in the 3rd round because Barber did not have top-notch 40-times.

Intersting look. I agree. Maybe Youboty will be able to step in and somewhat fill the shoes if Clements leaves. And us having two safeties that played in their first season side by side almost from the beginning helps too.

[Earthquake Enyart]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

I think we draft a CB in round 1

[The_Philster]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

If Nate leaves, I'd say we could almost count on it

[kernowboy]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

I disagree

The tampa2 means it is not a necessary opinion. R1 goes to the DL or the LB corps.

We will not waste a high pick without seeing what we have in Youboty - he has a 1st round grade and IMO was the equal of Hughes. Only if a top CB experiences a similar slide might be grab one if it looks good when checked against our value board.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if we drafted someone like Jonathan Wade or Travarous Bain at the start of Day2

[texasphinsfan]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

are you guys serious? you don't want Fred Thomas... he was one of the weak links on the Saints D.... in fact he is the guy teams throw to, to beat the Saints deep.

you don't want him, trust me!

[ZacGriffi~82]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

He was being sarcastic.

[texasphinsfan]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

He was being sarcastic.

ahhh.... see i don't know all you guys yet. thanks for saving me some face there, lol

[ShadowHawk7]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Don't worry Texas, I thought he was serious too for awhile and was mentally preparing to blast him in a reply.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Quick, name the four starting cornerbacks in the Superbowl.

[Tatonka]

Re: For those people who thinks it will be easy to replace Clements

Quick, name the four starting cornerbacks in the Superbowl.

great point ghost.. great point.