Bills' Clements wants to be top-paid cornerback

[The_Philster]

Buffalo Bills (http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nfl/teams/team12.html) Pro Bowl cornerback Nate Clements (http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nfl/players/player1002.html) informally opened negotiations for his next contract Wednesday with a very high asking price.``I`m the best and I don`t settle for nothing less,`` said Clements, a four-year veteran who`s entering the final year of his contract. ``It`s just like if you`re the best at your job, you want to be compensated for being the best at your position.``

Clements shrugged when informed Denver`s Champ Bailey (http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nfl/players/player411.html) is currently the highest paid cornerback after he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract last year that included an $18 million signing bonus. http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=53160&tid=27&t=1

[Bulldog]

There's no way TD is going to give Clement's Champ Bailey money. I honestly think Nate is one of, if not the best, CB's in the NFL. I just can't see TD spending that kind of money on him.

[Schobel94]

Yes he will, Clements will be the top paid CB when its all done, and deservedly so. We've been saving some money just for him, and now we're going to spend it.

[Michael82]

I think he will take a $13 million signing bonus from Buffalo and if he takes it, I hope Buffalo will give it to him. :up:

[Bulldog]

I think he will take a $13 million signing bonus from Buffalo and if he takes it, I hope Buffalo will give it to him. :up:

Not when Bailey got $18 million. Why would he sign for less than that when he can hit the open market next year and make at least that and possibly more? He's going to end up getting the tag.

[Dantheman1280]

Then I guess its bye bye nate. Dont get me wrong I think nate is a great player but he is not the best corner in the leauge! He might end up getting paid like the best be he is not there yet.

[RedEyE]

No way the Bills sign him for that kind of money. Is he worth it? Probably. Problem is that the Bills aren't the type of franchise to afford that type of 1st tier player.

[The last buffalo fan]

The guy doesn't sound even greedy in today practice, I think that as usual, the media is playing their frigging role.


http://buffalobills.com/multimedia/

[Typ0]

I heard the interview...I don't think it's like they are reading it. What is Nate going to say they have him over a barrel when they are asking these questions...the last thing he would want to do is say something that would weaken his negotiating position.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Tag and trade.

Any good CB in the 06 draft?

[capitolneal]

It is our DEEPEST position I agree Tag and trade Corners will bring all the cheese, our defense hides alot of mistakes by pressuring a qb. I like Nate but again it is our deepest position

[mysticsoto]

Tag and trade.

Any good CB in the 06 draft?
I'm not sure, but I thought someone said this might be a weak CB draft??? We do have depth, but McGee moving to #1??? Greer at #2 and maybe Thomas or King at #3 ??? That does weaken us. We better hope our D-line is so great, that the opposing QBs don't have time to throw.

[clumping platelets]

We had small CBs in the Super Bowl yrs.....we lost

[L.A. Playa]

show him the money

[losman2evans]

a decent signing bonus and make it over 7 years to spread out the cap hit. make it a top 10 cornerback offer, but allow incentives to take it to number one to satisfy nate's ego.

[Tatonka]

he is gone.. i thought there was a chance that we keep him until i saw that.. but after seeing that.. he wont accept winifield money.. he wants champ money.. and no way in hell td pays that.. it puts too much of a burden on the team to shell out that kind of contract on one player.

[Bill Brasky]

I think he will take a $13 million signing bonus from Buffalo and if he takes it, I hope Buffalo will give it to him. :up:
I know it sounds sort of ridiculous, but giving him a signing bonus like that sends a message around the league, IMO: Buffalo has money to spend. It tells people that this "small market" franchise is doing well and it has big money to spend... it could entise potentianl free agents to want to come here, esp. now that we have good young talent in WM, JP, LE, EM, and our entire defense... maybe we could upgrade that OLine with a big name guy.

Just a thought, I could be wrong... I don't really know how much they'll have under the cap after/if they do sign Nate

[vicmantak]

I'm not sure, but I thought someone said this might be a weak CB draft??? We do have depth, but McGee moving to #1??? Greer at #2 and maybe Thomas or King at #3 ??? That does weaken us. We better hope our D-line is so great, that the opposing QBs don't have time to throw.Not at all.
Next year's draft is LOADED by BIG CBs!
This is the first time I saw the top 11 rated CBs ahead of the 6-0 inch! and it seems that half of them will be available in the second round!
In other words, it seems that a high 2nd round pick is a fair value if Bills are planning to loose Clements via franchise tag.

On the other hand, this is my favorite CB of the draft:
"Chijioke Onyenegecha" He is another product of the Oklahoma Sooners and he is just a JUNIOR projected to be in mid second or early 3rd round!
http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/players/playerpage/517567

[Tinboy]

Sounds good! Tag him and make a trade. I don't think TD is going to pay big money so he's gone.

[Mr. Cynical]

With the new rules impacting the way CBs have to play (favoring the WRs), I don't think any CB is worth that kind of money. I bet if you ask Denver they would love to turn the clock back and not make that Champ trade.

I like Nate, but I say tag and trade. Get a stud LT or DE for him.

[vicmantak]

Oh, I forget:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/rankings/cb.html

<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #1e6884 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #1e6884 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #1e6884 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #1e6884 1px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR bgColor=#1e6884><TD class=topbar2>#</TD><TD class=topbar2>Name</TD><TD class=topbar2>College</TD><TD class=topbar2>Height</TD><TD class=topbar2>Weight</TD><TD class=topbar2></TD></TR><TR><TD>1.</TD><TD>Jimmy Williams (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/jimmywilliams.html)</TD><TD>Virginia Tech</TD><TD>6-3</TD><TD>206</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>2.</TD><TD>Jason Allen (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/jasonallen.html)</TD><TD>Tennessee</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>200</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>3.</TD><TD>Will Blackmon (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/willblackmon.html)</TD><TD>Boston College</TD><TD>6-0</TD><TD>202</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>4.</TD><TD>Alan Zemaitis (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/alanzemaitis.html)</TD><TD>Penn St.</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>201</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>5.</TD><TD>Kelly Jennings (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/kellyjennings.html)</TD><TD>Miami (FL)</TD><TD>6-0</TD><TD>177</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>6.</TD><TD>Darrell Hunter (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/darrellhunter.html)</TD><TD>Miami (OH)</TD><TD>6-1</TD><TD>206</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>7.</TD><TD>Tye Hill (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/tyehill.html)</TD><TD>Clemson</TD><TD>5-10</TD><TD>180</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>8.</TD><TD>Cletis Gordon (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/cletisgordon.html)</TD><TD>Jackson St.</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>195</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>9.</TD><TD>Cedric Griffin (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/cedricgriffin.html)</TD><TD>Texas</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>193</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Chijioke Onyenegecha (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/chijiokeonyenegecha.html)</TD><TD>Oklahoma</TD><TD>6-1</TD><TD>202</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>DeMario Minter (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/demariominter.html)</TD><TD>Georgia</TD><TD>6-0</TD><TD>198</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>Charlie Peprah (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/charliepeprah.html)</TD><TD>Alabama</TD><TD>5-10</TD><TD>193</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Harrison Smith (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/harrisonsmith.html)</TD><TD>California</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>200</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Eric Bassey (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/ericbassey.html)</TD><TD>Oklahoma</TD><TD>6-1</TD><TD>200</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Brett Bell (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/brettbell.html)</TD><TD>Wisconsin</TD><TD>6-0</TD><TD>200</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>Josh Lay (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/joshlay.html)</TD><TD>Pittsburgh</TD><TD>6-2</TD><TD>195</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Anwar Phillips (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/anwarphillips.html)</TD><TD>Penn St.</TD><TD>6-1</TD><TD>182</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[The_Philster]

WGR has an interview with his agent http://eod.liquidviewer.com/wgr-od/wgr/20050817_toddfrance.wma

[Marvelous]

Clements is a overall better CB then Bailey so i don't see a problem here. Build this team around Clements & Spikes....Evans & McGahee!!! Everyone else can come/go etc but they should be the foundation..

*Besides Nate just wants the title of highest paid. So backload that beast bigtime. And we could do i, no problem :) I bet we could even do it now if it's a 5-6 year deal...Clump?

[Marvelous]

WTF does the CB's in next years draft have to do with resigning Nate? :blowup: :chair: :wtf: Sometimes i dunno about the way some fans look at things.. No rook is in any way shape or form gonna be on Nate's level in his first 2 seasons. our D would suffer bigtime with a rook in there...

[Tatonka]

WTF does the CB's in next years draft have to do with resigning Nate? :blowup: :chair: :wtf: Sometimes i dunno about the way some fans look at things.. No rook is in any way shape or form gonna be on Nate's level in his first 2 seasons. our D would suffer bigtime with a rook in there...

the cornerbacks in next years draft are who we need to be aware of.. because no way are we paying nate 18 million in signing bonuses.. so the reality is.. that while it may be a step down.. we need to prepare for it.. because it is coming.. nate is as good as gone.

:sorry:

by the way.. nate was solid his first year.. and good his second.. there is no reason to think that we couldnt get another cb in the last first round, where we got nate and winifield that couldnt come in and play just as well by the end of season one.

while i dont think the bills front office has been good at picking OLinemen.. i cant fault them for their picks in cbs... they have not picked a bad one in the draft since they have been here.. kevin thomas, nate, mcgee, winfield, greer, king.. all are good or looking like they will be.. and many of them are later picks.

[The King]

See ya Nate. I really dislike Clements. :down:

[casdhf]

Does Ohio St. have any CBs coming into the draft?

[Shasta McNasty]

Clements as a Bill after this year is dust people. He will negotiate, then hit the market and bolt. Thats why King was drafted, granted Greer will probably get the nod next year.

[Meathead]

I heard the interview...I don't think it's like they are reading it. What is Nate going to say they have him over a barrel when they are asking these questions...the last thing he would want to do is say something that would weaken his negotiating position.
An astute observation.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that he'd actually take less than the max he could get elsewhere to stick around here. But I ain't holdin' my breath.

[justasportsfan]

If the draft is as deep next year like people say, then why would teams want to trade for Clements if we tag him? It will be another Henry situation which would cost teams draft picks and more $. Which team out there would be desperate? Oh yeah, Minnesota Bills.

[Dicknoze69]

If Nate wants to be the highest-paid CB in the league, then goodbye Nate, hello Blackmon, Allen, or Williams.

If Nate wants to look at his value reasonably (which doesn't happen often anymore) then we may be able to sign him.

[casdhf]

If the draft is as deep next year like people say, then why would teams want to trade for Clements if we tag him? It will be another Henry situation which would cost teams draft picks and more $. Which team out there would be desperate? Oh yeah, Minnesota Bills.
Not even close! A Pro-Bowl CB or a untested rook? Even average CBs are getting big money. I think we can definately get a 1st rounder for NC, but I would rather see him sign a deal here.

[berndog5]

Now that Nate has made that request, we should sit him and his agent in a room in front of a TV and show the Jags game last year when it was 4 and 20 something and Nate could not break up the play allowing the Jags to win the game. :horror: Remember if we win that game we are in the playoffs!!!!

I say tag and trade him for a first! Extend Mcgee long term and with our current depth and maybe a draft pick or two we will not miss a beat!

[Dannyboy]

Things can always change and probably will by season's end. He may smell SB ring if he stays; he may suck this year (okay, a stretch), or injuries may come into it. Tag him late and see what's out there. Maybe we could stick a hated team with a wallet theft or get a trade. Or, he might prove himself worth the price.

[vicmantak]

I forget to add some factors to consider on Clements:

1. Bills' CB depth: This is the first time in a while that Bills seems to be loaded of great talent on Greer, Thomas and King.

2. 2006 FA: Clements will not be the top CB available. It seems that Raiders will not tag their shutdown corner on Charles Woodson. Also, I'm not mentioning that Broncos are start thinking that they are overpaying Champ Bailey.

3. 2004 Patriots: Belichick showed the entire league how to make expendable your CBs.

4. Troy Vincent: Rashad Baker is doing a great job at FS and it looks that Vincent could return to his original position if NECESSARY.