CB Nate Clements (All B1G, NFL Pro Bowl)

[Buckskin86]

Bengals Blog
Shipley, Clements practice; Oklahoma day

07/30/12
Written by jreedy

In the first camp practice with full pads, WR Jordan Shipley and CB Nate Clements practiced with the team for the first time. Shipley (knee) and Clements (abdominal strain) were on the Active/PUP list to begin camp. Both did individual and position drills but did not take part in 11-on-11 drills

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/07/30/shipley-clements-practice/

 

[Buckskin86]

Former Buckeyes Nate Clements, Boom Herron Making Impact with Bengals- ABC Columbus

 

[Buckskin86]

Bengals' Clements seeing time at safety
August, 8, 2012
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals' competition at strong safety was expected to be a battle between Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles. But there was another player seeing time at that spot during Wednesday's practice -- veteran cornerback Nate Clements.

It's unknown whether this is an experiment or if the Bengals are thinking of starting Clements at safety. The Bengals definitely want to see what Clements looks like at that spot because he split his snaps on the first-team defense at cornerback and safety.

This could be a way of extending the career of the 32-year-old Clements, who is a strong tackler. It would allow the Bengals a chance of getting their five best defensive backs on the field. The Bengals have been looking for a strong safety since releasing Chris Crocker in early April.

Clements, who has played 12 seasons at cornerback, said it's not up to him that he's in the mix to be a starting safety. Asked if he was comfortable at safety, Clements said after practice, "As long as I'm on the field, I'm comfortable."

When Clements moved back to safety, the Bengals used Adam Jones and Terence Newman at corner, while Leon Hall covered the slot. While Clements said it's different to play safety, it's not a major adjustment for him.

"Whatever coach wants me to do and asks me to do, I have to make sure as a player that I know my responsibilities and know all the positions," he said. "As a cornerback, I learned early on to study all the positions in the defensive secondary so I would know where my help is and when I'm able to take that calculated risk. The difference is now I'm playing the positions."

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/52166/bengals-clements-seeing-time-at-safety

 

[Buckskin86]

Shaker Heights grad Nate Clements video
Updated: Tuesday, August 14, 2012
By Branson Wright, The Plain Dealer

Nate Clements Nate Clements Shaker Heights native Nate Clements is a veteran leader with the Bengals. Watch video

CINCINNATI, Ohio ----- Nate Clements is in his 12th NFL training camp, and the joy remains despite the repetition and the grueling hours.

A dozen years on any job, especially in the NFL, is cause for celebration, and Clements is thankful for every snap.

"I'm not bored," said Clements, a 1998 graduate of Shaker Heights High School. "I still have a passion for this game. Training camp is grueling, but you reap all of the benefits when it's time to play on Sunday."

Clements is near the end of a career that began when he was drafted out of Ohio State by the Buffalo Bills in the 2001 draft, 21st overall. After six years with the Bills, Clements signed as a free agent with the 49ers. The 49ers released Clements in 2011. He is in the final year of deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The end is near in a career that includes one Pro Bowl season (2004) and one of the biggest contracts in NFL history: eight years, $80 million with $22 million guaranteed with the 49ers.

"I cherish every opportunity to step out on this field," Clements said. "I'm very fortunate and blessed. I don't have a timetable when it comes to when my career will end. I've enjoyed each and every moment playing in the NFL."

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2012/08/cleveland_browns_and_nfl_am_li_9.html

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

After one mediocre game early last season, might have been the first game, Clements was damn near a shut down corner for the Bengals last season. Much better than anyone else on the team. Moving him to safety seems odd. Love his attitude about the possibility however.

 

[Buckskin86]

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer anticipates Nate Clements opening the season as the Bengals' starting left corner.
Clements saw some early-camp reps at safety, an idea that might have been more viable had first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick not injured his knee. Reedy expects Clements to bookend RCB Leon Hall, with Taylor Mays at strong safety opposite Reggie Nelson. The Bengals are going to need big-time pass rush to cover up their secondary flaws. Offenses should be able to throw on this unit. Aug. 22

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pl...news.asp?sport=NFL&id=2298&line=238652&spln=1

 

[NastyNatiBuck]

After one mediocre game early last season, might have been the first game, Clements was damn near a shut down corner for the Bengals last season. Much better than anyone else on the team. Moving him to safety seems odd. Love his attitude about the possibility however.

Leon Hall?

 

[Buckeye Maniac]

Leon Hall?

sucks.

 

[Buckskin86]

Jack of all trades
Posted Aug 29, 2012
Geoff Hobson Editor Bengals.com Follow Me Blog

Leon Hall and Nate Clements, the Bengals starting cornerbacks, aren't all that different.

Sure, one is Ohio State (Clements) and one is Michigan (Hall). And one is younger. (Hall was a Vista High School standout in suburban San Diego when Clements was taken with the draft's 21st pick in 2001.) And one has played in a Pro Bowl (Clements, 2004) while one has been to the playoffs twice (Hall, 2009 and '11).

But both are physical, smart, passionate and now that Clements is playing a good bit of safety, Hall knows what they've got.

"We can put him anywhere," Hall said this week, making sure Clements heard him at the next locker. "Maybe he's going to be the backer in our dime package. You never know, but I can promise you he'll know what to do when you put him in there."

Clements cackled. This safety business is starting to grow on him. During Thursday night's game against the Packers he noticed long-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson roaming at strong safety at the age of 35. And turning 33 the day before the Bengals play in Philadelphia this December, Clements is watching defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer trying to find the right matchups.

"It?s exciting. I never know where I'm going to be," Clements said. "You're put in a position where you can do a little bit of everything. Moving around in different positions is fun. (Zimmer will) come up with something different. That's what keeps it exciting. Different schemes, different blitzes ? .

cont...

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/jack-of-all-trades/e3058dc2-77fb-4fb6-a2d7-18629eb5a636

 

[Dryden]

Old video from 2001 season

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_EngM7HmUA"]Nate Clements destroys Tom Brady - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

CLEMENTS VALUE: How tough and valuable is Nate Clements? The Bengals desperately needed him Sunday with cornerback Leon Hall out and the Bengals moving him to safety for the first time in his 12-year career. He hurt his leg in the first quarter, left, but ended up playing 96 percent of the snaps. He was seen leaving Paul Brown Stadium in a walking boot and it's unclear how serious the injury is.

"He's very valuable, a very tough man," Lewis said. "Every football game he goes out there, every chance he gets to go out there, it means a lot to him and he takes it very seriously. He's an extension of (defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer) out there on the field, in the huddle. And once the offense breaks the huddle, he's very good that way. He's good for the guys in the meeting room all the time. He's been a great addition.?

http://www.bengals.com/news/article...up-front/a202b01a-150b-44e6-9415-eac85f2855be

 

[Buckskin86]

Five questions with ... Nate Clements
Oct. 9, 2012
Written by
Kevin Kelly

Nate Clements on his NFL career: "I?ve been very blessed. I definitely didn?t imagine it. I kind of just took it one day at a time and now we?re 12 years in." / The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Veteran defensive back Nate Clements returned to the Bengals? lineup Sunday against Miami after missing one game with a calf injury. The 12th-year pro made his fourth start overall this season.

The Bengals travel to Cleveland next to play the Browns at 1 p.m. Sunday. For Clements, it?s a trip home. He was raised in nearby Shaker Heights before going off to Ohio State. On Monday, The Enquirer?s Kevin Kelly caught up with Clements for this week?s five questions.

Given where you grew up (in Shaker Heights, Ohio), were you a Cleveland Browns fan as a kid?

CLEMENTS: Yeah, I grew up a Browns fan back in the era where they had Ozzie Newsome, Bernie Kosar; guys like Felix Wright, Frank Minnifield, Hanford Dixon, Michael Dean Perry. I definitely grew up as a Browns fan as a kid. I didn?t get a chance to go but definitely would be tuned in on Sundays watching them.

cont...

http://communitypress.cincinnati.co...Five-questions-Nate-Clements?odyssey=nav|head

 

[Buckskin86]

Bengals Blog
Clements adjusting to strong safety
10/10/12
by kkelly

The starting lineup from Sunday?s game against the Dolphins showed the Bengals aren?t just experimenting with Nate Clements at strong safety.

It was the second consecutive game the 12th-year player has started at the position. After missing the Jacksonville game in Week 4, Clements contributed eight tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defense in the loss.

?Nate wants to do whatever helps the football team be successful,? Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday. ?If it?s playing him snaps at safety and that?s what he thinks it is, he?ll do it.

?I can remember having a conversation with Rod Woodson about that. Rod was saying, ?If you think it makes us better, then OK.? With Nate, it was, ?If you think this helps us, then I?m game.?

Coaches have been considering moving Clements from cornerback to strong safety for more than a year and think the move could help extend his career, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said.

He?s played nickel back before.

?It?s different though,? Zimmer said. ?He?s a smart guy and a tough guy. It?s different for him?.There?s more things for him to think about when you?re playing safety than there is at cornerback. But being in the nickel has helped. When you?re inside nickel it?s a lot of things that safeties do.?

Out of 199 snaps in the first three games this season, Clements was at safety for 77, according to a review of game tape by The Enquirer and Pro Football Focus. He was on the field for 64 of the 66 defensive plays Sunday.

?He?s gotten better,? Lewis said. ?I think he feels more and more comfortable, and that?s good.?

Clements said earlier this week that switching positions has been an adjustment.

?It has been, I wouldn?t say big, but it?s definitely been a transition and an adjustment; looking at it from a different view, seeing the whole field and also just learning in the ins and outs at that position,? he said. ?I pretty much know the defense, but just knowing the little ins and outs at that position.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/10/10/clements-adjusting-to-strong-safety/

 

[Buckskin86]

Marvin Lewis finally made official on the depth chart what has happened in games the past two weeks.

Nate Clements is now listed as the starting strong safety with Terence Newman at right corner. That was the starting lineup for the Dolphins and Browns games but Taylor Mays was listed as the starting safety until yesterday. Mays is now listed as the backup and Clements is also listed as backing up Newman at corner.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2012/10/17/morning-read-depth-chart-and-numbers-edition/

 

[Buckskin86]

Clements knows value veterans display
By Conrad Clowers
Cincinnati Herald Contributor

Nate Clements Nate Clements Sheer attitude has been Nate Clements key to success since coming into the NFL. It wasn?t like the NFL veteran attended a podunk university. Clements is a product of Ohio State where he starred for the Buckeyes. Now in his 12th season, there is little the veteran has not seen on the gridiron.

The Bengal defensive backfield has taken a beating by way of injury this season. Clements, who made his name and had success as a corner, is now doing the jack of all trades. The former Buckeye is also playing the role of safety for the Bengals.

Clements spent the first six seasons of his NFL career as a cornerback for the Buffalo Bills. He tallied 23 interceptions in six seasons at Buffalo. During that time, Clements had a reputation as one of the best cover corners in the league. ?I always felt confident I could take the others teams best receiver and shut him down,? said Clements. For his career, Clements has nine touchdowns. Five of those were interception returns, two punt returns, and two blocked field goal returns. During that time, Clements had a reputation as one of the best cover corners in the league.

The opportunity for ?greener pastures? came calling on the bay. Clements took his talents to San Francisco where he played for the 49ers for four seasons. Now in his second season with the Bengals, he finds himself in the position as a mentor to the younger defensive backs on the team.

This past off season the Bengals drafted Dre Kirkpatrick out of Alabama in the first round. The Alabama product has yet to play in a game due to injury. Clements knows that the league is tailored for young players and felt no threat when he heard about the draft. ?The team is going to draft players they feel can help them improve,? said Clements.

At present, the Bengals are in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Hopes of back to back playoff appearances for the first time since the 1981-82 season are slipping away with every loss. ?We?ve dug ourselves a little hole,? said head coach Marvin Lewis. ?We?ve just gotta keep fighting and we?ll be okay,? Lewis added. Still left on the schedule for the Bengals to have to contend with are dangerous receivers such as Dez Bryant (Dallas), Deshawn Jackson (Philadelphia), and Victor Cruz (New York). As long as Clements is on the field, veteran intelligence will give the Bengals an advantage on at least containing one of the dangerous receivers.

http://www.thecincinnatiherald.com/news/2012-11-10/News/Clements_knows_value_veterans_display.html