CB Nate Clements (All B1G, NFL Pro Bowl)

[3074326]

Can't say I'm surprised.. if someone said he's looked average this year, it'd be a compliment. Bad year so far.

 

[Buckskin86]

49ers notebook: Clements' season could be over
By Daniel Brown
San Jose Mercury News
Posted: 11/01/2009

INDIANAPOLIS ? Further medical tests today could decide the fate of cornerback Nate Clements and left tackle Joe Staley.

Clements sustained a fractured right scapula against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The 49ers withheld announcing whether Clements was finished for the season, although a similar injury sent tackle Tony Pashos to the injured-reserve list a week ago.

Clements' injury came late in the first half, although the 49ers did not reveal whether the injury came on a punt return. Clements, serving as a returner for the first time this season, had four punt returns for 31 yards.

He did not start on defense, as the 49ers went with Tarell Brown. Coach Mike Singletary said Brown's place in the starting lineup was supposed to be a one-week experiment based on the Colts' personnel.

"We were going on basic matchups,'' Singletary said.

Now, Brown could wind up the starter for good. Against the Colts, he was credited with two tackles and a quarterback hurry.

49ers notebook: Clements' season could be over - Inside Bay Area

 

[Buckskin86]

49ers Hot Reads: Injury calls Clements' future into question
By MATT MAIOCCO
The Press Democrat
Published: Monday, November 2, 2009 at 5:20 p.m.

When Nate Clements signed with the 49ers on the first day of free agency in 2007, the thing that grabbed headlines was the size of his contract.

It was a reported eight years, $80 million ? certainly a flashy and easy-to-remember deal.

But here?s the thing about Nate Clements: He?s not flashy at all. (And because the final year of the contract automatically voided, the deal was actually $64 million for seven years with $20 million guaranteed.)

Clements is a hard-working, blue-collar performer who is at his best when he?s crashing in from his position at cornerback to help in run support. It has led some ? including individuals inside the 49ers? organization ? to the conclusion that someday he could make a seamless conversion to safety.

But Clements? future beyond this season with the 49ers was called into question when third-year player Tarell Brown replaced him in the starting lineup Sunday against the pass-happy Indianapolis Colts.

And things got further complicated when Clements sustained a broken shoulder blade while returning a punt in the second quarter. Coach Mike Singletary said Clements will not be placed on injured reserve because they want to leave the window open for him to contribute late in the season ? and, perhaps, the playoffs.

49ers Hot Reads: Injury calls Clements' future into question | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

 

[Buckskin86]

Moving time

One-time Pro Bowl cornerback Nate Clements, who in 2007 signed a back-ended, eight-year $80 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, currently is sidelined by a broken shoulder blade. But when Clements returns, it could be as a safety, since 49ers coaches seem satisfied with younger cornerbacks Shawntae Spencer and Tarell Brown (who two weeks ago signed a three-year extension). Clements will be 30 next month and, while still a physical defender at times, has lost a step in coverage. If he is back in 2010, it will almost certainly be as a safety. Of course, his contract is hardly a safety-level deal, and that could enter into a decision about his future in the Bay Area.

NFL: Buffalo Bills rookie safety Jairus Byrd, son of former pro Gill Byrd, is fulfilling his destiny far ahead of schedule. - ESPN

 

[Buckskin86]

ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS

Nate Clements: (at OSU 1998 to 2000) Clements' fine play in six seasons in Buffalo, including a Pro Bowl in 2004, paid off in a big way for the former first-round draft choice. The eight-year, $80 million contract he signed with San Francisco in 2007 was at the time the richest free-agent contract ever awarded a defensive player. Clements had made 119 consecutive starts before missing a game late last season; he currently is out because of a broken right shoulder blade.

GameDay+

 

[Buckskin86]

Clements update: Cornerback Nate Clements, out since the Indianapolis game with a fractured shoulder blade, is making progress but is not close to returning to the lineup. "It's a lot better," he said, adding, "All I'm able to do (right now) is cardio." The hope is that Clements would be able to return for the finale at St. Louis on Jan. 3. His return before the end of the season might have been based on expectations of qualifying for the playoffs, which are now remote.

Read more: Staley to practice, hopes to play Monday

 

[NFBuck]

Glad the Browns didn't win this derby...phew.

 

[Buckskin86]

Clements on the fence: Nate Clements, who broke his left clavicle during his first game as a punt returner in Indianapolis on Nov. 1, still has a shot to play in the final game of the season, Jan. 3 at St. Louis. However, Clements did not sound as though he absolutely has to play to feel better going into the offseason.

"I want to make sure I'm 100 percent and I can help the team," he said. "I don't want to go out there too early. Right now, my range of motion is good, but strength-wise it's weak. That comes with time."

Read more: Nedney's injury leaves 49ers short

 

[Buckskin86]

Nate Clements' Go Program motivates kids
December 29, 2009

3-Minute Interview: Nate Clements

The San Francisco 49ers cornerback and one-time Pro Bowler recently launched the Go Pro program, an initiative aimed at empowering young people through exposure to education and athletics.

What is the focus of the Go Pro program? The main objective of the program is to expose kids to available resources that they might not know about. It?s about motivating them for life and getting them excited about pursuing a career, whether it be as a lawyer, or a doctor, or a professional football player.

Did you have anything like the Go Pro program when you were growing up? Actually, I didn?t, but the relationships I had with my teachers, my high school coach and my parents really helped lay the groundwork for the Go Pro program. They all helped me get into a routine, where I had to get my homework done first, or do my chores, or read a book before I could get into playing sports for the day.

What advice do you have for children who aspire to be a pro athlete? I would never discourage a child from wanting to be a pro athlete. Yes, its a hard profession to achieve, but so are jobs in the engineering field. If they work hard, they can accomplish anything. I tell them, ?Never let anyone?s opinion become your reality.?

What?s next for the Go Pro program? Well, we had our official launch in Santa Clara on Dec. 15. I would really like to see it expand throughout the Bay Area, and maybe bring it back to my home in Cleveland, or back to school at [Ohio State University] in Columbus.

Nate Clements' Go Program motivates kids | San Francisco Examiner

 

[Buckskin86]

The 49ers also expect to have Nate Clements back after a broken shoulder wiped out the bulk of his season. Singletary said he views Clements as a corner, not a potential safety.

Clements said, "I'll definitely be 100 percent by the time next season starts. I'll definitely be here and I'll definitely be ready to go."

Alex Smith, Jimmy Raye likely to return for 49ers - San Jose Mercury News

EXTRA POINTS

Cornerback Nate Clements missed the final nine games of the season with a broken shoulder blade. His contract next season calls for a $6 million salary. Singletary said he wants Clements back, and he wants him back at cornerback.

Onus remains on 49ers' offense | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

 

[Buckskin86]

CB Nate Clements: The reasoning behind coach Mike Singletary's decision to demote him from a significant role on defense for the Nov. 1 game against the Colts remains murky. He returned punts in that game and sustained a broken shoulder blade that ended his season. There is a contract issue with Clements (he's scheduled to earn $6 million in salary), but he is still easily one of the team's top two cornerbacks. Because of that, he will be back with the 49ers in 2010. No question. Singletary said he considers Clements a cornerback. There has been no serious thought about moving him to safety. Signed through 2013.

Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers

 

[Buckskin86]

49ers CB Clements Forfeits $500K Workout Bonus
May 20, 2010
Matt Maiocco
CSNBayArea.com

Nate Clements had one interception in seven games last season for the 49ers.

Cornerback Nate Clements has found a workout regimen in Arizona that he believes suits him well. But his decision to conduct his offseason trainings away from the 49ers' Santa Clara practice facility comes at a price.
Clements will not collect his $500,000 workout bonus this year. Under the contract he signed with the 49ers in 2007, Clements can earn $500,000 annually by taking part in the 49ers' offseason program, according to NFL Players Association documents.

He is scheduled to earn $6 million in base salary this season as part of the seven-year, $64.5 million contract he signed to play for the 49ers three years ago. (The deal was widely reported as eight years, $80 million, but the final year's salary of $14.5 million automatically voided.)

One prominent NFL agent said it is not uncommon for players to forfeit large workout bonuses to train on their own.

"I've had players who think they can get in better shape and improve their play by working out on their own, and that will lead to bigger contracts down the road," the agent said.

This is clearly a big offseason for Clements, whom the 49ers benched Nov. 1 against pass-happy Indianapolis. Clements main duty that day was to return punts, and he sustained a season-ending broken shoulder blade.

Clements is penciled in as a starter this season, but his scheduled $6 million salary puts the onus on him to prove during training camp he's worth the big money.

49ers CB Clements Forfeits $500K Workout Bonus

 

[Buckskin86]

June 15, 2010
Clements will attend minicamp, Franklin won't

Nate Clements will attend the 49ers three-day mandatory minicamp that runs Thursday through Saturday but nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin will not, according to agent Todd France, who represents both players. Clements, who is presumably one of the team's starting cornerbacks, has been working out on his own in Arizona. He is one of four players - Franklin, cornerback Shawntae Spencer and linebacker Manny Lawson are the others - who have not attended any of the 49ers voluntary practices this spring.

Coach Mike Singletary said last month that he's been in contact with Clements and Spencer and that while he'd like all his players to attend the spring sessions, he gave them his blessing to train on their own. Spencer is training in Pittsburgh. "I told them, go ahead and do what you have to do," Singletary said. "But they know that when we bring it in and get ready to go, they've got to be ready to go."

Read more: 49ers Blog and Q&A: Clements will attend minicamp, Franklin won't

 

[Buckskin86]

Clements, Spencer found needed workouts elsewhere

Linebacker Manny Lawson generated most of the buzz today, but two other 49ers defenders made their locker-room debuts of 2010. Cornerbacks Shawntae Spencer and Nate Clements, both of whom skipped all the voluntary practices, are here for the three-day minicamp that is about to begin.

Both talked to reporters, and both sent out the same message: They're happy to be here, but the workouts they really needed were elsewhere.
Clements, who spoke first, has been working with Ian Danney in Scottsdale, Ariz. The 10th-year veteran broke his scapula in the fifth game last season, and Danney has helped him throughout the rehab. The work has included the infamous "Danney Ball" - volleyball with a medicine ball that weighed anywhere from 10 to 14 pounds.

Clements, perhaps a bit slimmer than a year ago, said he's 100 percent now and ready to get back in action after his most disappointing NFL season.

"I'm definitely motivated, anxious," he said. "I was telling a friend, it felt like the anxious feeling you get the night before a game."

Instant 49ers at the Press Democrat

 

[Buckskin86]

What's Your Confidence Level For Nate Clements?
by Ninjames on Jul 10, 2010

Marcio Sanchez - AP .
I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION! (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez)

All of these so far have been offensive players. It wasn't really by design, I always put these together as a spur of the moment type of deal. It just always has worked out this way. So I figured, why not take a look at a defensive player? So I may as well start with someone like cornerback Nate Clements.

Perhaps the biggest knock on Nate isn't even related to how he plays on the field. It's his contract, he makes an obscene amount of money for what he actually brings. It's not enough, he doesn't play well enough to earn that contract. Should we just cut bait? No, we shouldn't do that, but there's not an argument out there FOR Nate and his salary being worth it.

Still, the criticisms he's received are a bit unfounded in my mind. Is he worth that huge salary? No. Is he a bad cornerback? Certainly not. Nate is probably the best corner in the league at shutting down the run and the screen on his side of the field. When he was injured last season, suddenly screens were going for five, ten, fifteen and twenty yards no problem because Nate wasn't there to sniff them out.

In pass coverage, he leaves some to be desired, and that's really all his fault more than anything. The guy calls himself "lockdown" and he's anything but. He'll cover a guy and shut him down for half the day an then he'll give up a huge play. It's just what he does. Can he stop doing that? Yeah, I think he can. Is this year that year? Me personally, yeah I think it is. Make the jump for the confidence levels.

What's Your Confidence Level For Nate Clements? - Niners Nation