Former Bills cornerback Nate Clements just became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the San Francisco 49ers have signed Clements to an eight-year, $80 million contract with $22 million guaranteed. It's a lightning-fast signing between San Francisco, which had the most salary cap space in the league, and Clements, the player many considered the best available at any position. (He was at the top of my list and Len Pasquarelli's.)
The 27-year-old Clements is in the prime of his career and has never missed a game, so there are no major concerns about signing him to a long-term contract. Still, this isn't just a big contract, it's a gigantic one. Clements will have to be a dominant shut-down cornerback for years to come to be worth this kind of cash.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-02-2007 @ 9:13PM
Da Leader said...
Nate Clements good, but not that good, i mean wat did he do so good, to get paid like that? can somebody tell me that?
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3-02-2007 @ 9:15PM
Da Leader said...
please tell me people????????
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3-02-2007 @ 9:18PM
ddizak said...
No way is he worth that kind of money! Not close to being the top cornerback in the leauge. Had crappy first half of 06'.
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3-02-2007 @ 9:38PM
Vernon said...
NOT A DAMN THING! Hes a very good corner, but hes no Champ Bailey! Hell hes not as good as Chris McAlister! Even if he was that good, can anybody justify a cornerback being the highest paid defensive player in the league. The guy didn't even make the pro bowl this year. SPORTS SALARIES ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL!
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3-03-2007 @ 4:18PM
Hadder said...
he got lucky enough to become a free agent in a very week market, when teams have too much money to spend. Thats about it.
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3-03-2007 @ 1:13PM
tony said...
making the pro bowl doesn't mean anything but he's still not that good to make that much money
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3-03-2007 @ 12:49AM
sexy nfl fan said...
see what had happened was,ok let me be serious. what had happened was. my bad,what had happened was the 49ers will be sorry for making moves like that. in closing what had happened was!
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3-03-2007 @ 12:55AM
sexy nfl fan said...
see what had happened was,let me be serious. what had happen was. the 49ers will be sorry for making moves like this,now in closing what had happen was!
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3-03-2007 @ 12:59AM
sexy nfl fan said...
nate clements sucks
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3-03-2007 @ 1:00AM
sexy nfl fan said...
but he is hella hot
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3-03-2007 @ 1:01AM
sexy nfl fan said...
what had?
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3-03-2007 @ 7:54AM
Sanganoski said...
Just wait and see what this does to EVERY team in the N. F. L. as far as players feeling that they should get paid what they're worth. 80mil for 8 yrs., just goes to show you how "uncontroled" this "FREE", hah,signings like this,agency has become, nothing is free, we all know that and guess who is going to absorb these ridiculous amounts??? Two guesses and your first one doesn't count!
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3-03-2007 @ 9:53AM
mc said...
If they give him the money the owers see something people need to stop hating on him because he making big money
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3-03-2007 @ 10:41AM
Tsmith7559 said...
I assume the last 2 years are backloaded????
maybe more along 6 yr $50 Mill
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3-03-2007 @ 10:42AM
jax777 said...
The deal looks bigger than it is...only 20m is guaranteed..it actually breaks down to about 7mil a yr, which is equitable for one of the top 5 corners in the nfl and the best defender in free agency
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3-03-2007 @ 11:17AM
Jordan said...
Why would you pay this guy this much? What was the front office smoking when they did this contract? Clements is nowhere near the best defensive player in the NFL. And soon they will wonder why nobody can afford to go to the game to see the 80 million dollar players.
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3-03-2007 @ 2:19PM
bobby said...
You guys have no clue about clements, all you have to do is look at his stats....and trust me marc bulger, hassellback and matt leinert now no there is 80 million reason why they shouldnt throw the ball to the right side of the field....i luv it...next year some other guy would get a bigger contract....by the way..the guy has never missed a game in 6 yrs....
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3-03-2007 @ 3:38PM
jeff said...
Sorry to see Nate go, but he's gonna get paid way more than he's worth and the Bills have more urgent needs. It's time for some of the younger guys to step up in the D backfield anyway. I'll also miss London Fletcher and his effort, optimism, leadership and work in the community, but let's get serious. He made tons of tackles but the vast majority were down field and not at the point of attack. He made lots of plays, but not lots of BIG plays. He is an undersized LB that needs an effective D-line in front of him in order for him to make big plays, but the guy sure has wheels and gives 100% on every play. I really liked the guy when he was playing for Buffalo. I'll miss him more than Clements.
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3-04-2007 @ 12:01AM
mike Di Bease said...
Nate Clements has out lived his worth with the Bills.He caused the fans heart burn with some of the penalties that have been called on him.He is not worth the money they offered him
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3-04-2007 @ 2:51PM
Scott R. said...
first of all the 49ers are use to paying alot for guys who do not even play. look at Alex Smith he was paid all that much money, and he sucked in his first year. and still has not proved he is worth all that much money. but hey if they have all that money why not use it on a top free agent. plus i heard tehy just Ashley Leeie WR, now what has he doen for anyone? so unless the 49ers knwo soemthign we don't I am nto sure what tehre plan was this year in the free agency market. but with all due respect to Nate and Ashely, our former palyers Joe Montana Jerry Rice or even Steve Young or Ronnie Lott did not even get that money. I would pay anyone that money until I see how he plays for us. but we will soon see this year who knows maybe he will be worth it after all. only time will tell. plus if you truly look at it only $22 Million is graunteed so it is is huge but not that big. maybe he will be worth it after all. we will see.
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