It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

[Michael82]

The Bills Wednesday announced that the team has designated cornerback Nate Clements as its franchise player.


“We are announcing today that we have placed the franchise tag on Nate Clements,” Bills general manager Marv Levy said. “We consider Nate a valuable member of our defense and believe he will play an important role in re-establishing our defense as one of the toughest units in the league. At the same time, we remain optimistic that we will be able to work out a long-term deal with Nate in the foreseeable future.”

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3611

[ChristopherWalken]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

I compliment Levy and the rest of the staff. This is an important move in order to restablish this team as contenders. There are too many holes to just let another good player slip through their hands.

Seeing that Nate was declaring mega money, slapping the tag on Nate buys the Bills more time to get a long term deal done.

This move also allows them an opportunity to concentrate on the rest of Free Agency as well as prepare for the draft, fill in holes, and get other contracts signed with less distraction.

I just really couldn't see the Bills heading into the draft needing a CB, DT, and OL.

[Michael82]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

hmmm, what's next? Is it going to be a Tag and Trade, Keep him for the one year tender and develop his replacement, or Sign him to a long term deal after the CBA is extended?

[Meathead]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player



good move you old fart

[justasportsfan]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

“We consider Nate a valuable member of our defense and believe he will play an important role in re-establishing our defense as one of the toughest units in the league. ”
Actions speak louder Marv. Do it! Do it! Do it!

[BAM]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Awesome move.

Op is going to have a hernia.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Excellent. Even if we can't keep him long term, it retains a key component as a part of this year's defense, and gives us time to evaluate what we need to do at CB in the future.

We have enough immediate needs. We don't need another gaping hole staring us in the face.

[Michael82]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Excellent. Even if we can't keep him long term, it retains a key component as a part of this year's defense, and gives us time to evaluate what we need to do at CB in the future.

We have enough immediate needs. We don't need another gaping hole staring us in the face.

Or it gives us some really nice trade bait. I still think this will be the Tag and Trade like they did with Peerless Price, but I could be wrong.

[ChristopherWalken]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

I don't think so Mikey. I think Nate is part of the Bills long term plans and they will do what it takes to get him signed. Of course it is a two way street. Nate has to want to be in Buffalo for the deal to happen.

Also, if another team really wants him, they can offer a larger contract and the Bills will receive ample compensation for their loss. Either way Buffalo wins on that deal.

[Meathead]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Op is going to have a hernia.

i propose we buy him a pc cam so we can watch him when news like this comes out

ive never seen an actual live aneurysm

[Meathead]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Also, if another team really wants him, they can offer a larger contract and the Bills will receive ample compensation for their loss.

technically true but it will never happen

[Billsrock4life]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

good move by levy atleast we have nate for another year

[madness]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

Great move.

[Saratoga Slim]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

I think we want him as part of our long term plans, are willing to pay him decent money, and will actively try to sign him to a long term contract. If that's the plan, I hope we get it done before the season starts. If he doesnt agree to a long term deal before next season, I think there's very little chance he's here in 2007. If he has a rebound year, he'll be thinking even bigger numbers than he is now.

[don137]

Re: It's Official! Bills Designate Clements as Franchise Player

I think just letting him go would of been crazy...I never heard any hint of tag and trade so my guess is they sincerely want to sign him to an extension. Let's hope in the cover 2 Nate will shine like he did in 2004.