theogt
Surrealist
- Messages
- 45,846
- Reaction score
- 5,912
Clements to test free agency
Bills cornerback wants to see value on open market
Posted: Thursday February 8, 2007 3:43PM; Updated: Thursday February 8, 2007 4:51PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Cornerback Nate Clements plans to test free agency next month, leaving the Buffalo Bills potentially without their top defensive play-maker.
"One hundred percent, yeah," Clements' agent, Todd France, told The Associated Press on Thursday, when asked if his client plans to test the market once the NFL's free-agency period opens March 2.
France said it's in Clements' best interest to pursue free agency, while adding the player is open to re-signing with the Bills if they produce a competitive offer. France said he's had no in-depth discussions with Buffalo, but will keep the team "in the loop as to what's going on."
How much the Bills would be willing to spend is a question, considering Clements would immediately become among the most coveted defensive backs to enter free agency this offseason. Other cornerbacks that could also be eligible for free agency include New England's Asante Samuel and Indianapolis' Nick Harper.
Clements' asking price is already high. The one-time Pro Bowl selection and six-year veteran has previously said that he wants to be the top-paid player at his position. Champ Bailey set the standard when he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with Denver in 2004 that included an $18 million bonus.
It's unclear whether Clements can attract a similar offer, but it's likely there will be teams prepared to outbid Buffalo. The small-market franchise might be projected to have plenty of salary-cap space to spend this offseason, but Buffalo's a team that has a history of not holding on to high-priced free agents.
The Bills declined to comment, except to point out what coach Dick Jauron said about the team's potential free agents at the end of last season.
"Our guys may want to test the market, and we understand that," Jauron said. "But we'd like to be kept in the loop and keep the conversations up with them and be as honest as we can be with them and keep an open mind as we chase our guys and others. That's the game. That's the business."
The Bills finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year, but showed signs of gelling in the final two months of Jauron's first season in Buffalo.
Clements' loss would be a significant blow to a unit that also risks losing starting middle linebacker London Fletcher to free agency.
Clements was part of a young and patchwork defense that struggled against the run last season, yet did not allow an opponent 300 yards passing.
Buffalo's 2001 first-round pick out of Ohio State, Clements is coming off a strong year in which he shut down most opponents' top receivers -- including limiting the Colts' Marvin Harrison to two catches for 21 yards in Buffalo's 17-16 loss in November.
He also held Miami's Chris Chambers to no receptions in a 21-0 win in December, the first time Chambers had been shut out since the Dolphins' 2002 season finale.
Clements' three interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- put him second among Bills players last season and he also forced two fumbles. In 96 career games, he's registered 23 interceptions and holds the franchise record with seven touchdown returns (five off interceptions, two during punt returns).
The Bills would have lost Clements last offseason if they hadn't put the franchise label on him. The move prevented Clements from entering free agency, but forced the team to pay him a one-year, $7.2 million salary.
Buffalo, however, gave up the right to franchise Clements again as part of an agreement to get him to sign with the team in May and not miss any offseason practices. Clements, otherwise, could have waited until the start of training camp to accept his contract.
Bills cornerback wants to see value on open market
Posted: Thursday February 8, 2007 3:43PM; Updated: Thursday February 8, 2007 4:51PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Cornerback Nate Clements plans to test free agency next month, leaving the Buffalo Bills potentially without their top defensive play-maker.
"One hundred percent, yeah," Clements' agent, Todd France, told The Associated Press on Thursday, when asked if his client plans to test the market once the NFL's free-agency period opens March 2.
France said it's in Clements' best interest to pursue free agency, while adding the player is open to re-signing with the Bills if they produce a competitive offer. France said he's had no in-depth discussions with Buffalo, but will keep the team "in the loop as to what's going on."
How much the Bills would be willing to spend is a question, considering Clements would immediately become among the most coveted defensive backs to enter free agency this offseason. Other cornerbacks that could also be eligible for free agency include New England's Asante Samuel and Indianapolis' Nick Harper.
Clements' asking price is already high. The one-time Pro Bowl selection and six-year veteran has previously said that he wants to be the top-paid player at his position. Champ Bailey set the standard when he signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with Denver in 2004 that included an $18 million bonus.
It's unclear whether Clements can attract a similar offer, but it's likely there will be teams prepared to outbid Buffalo. The small-market franchise might be projected to have plenty of salary-cap space to spend this offseason, but Buffalo's a team that has a history of not holding on to high-priced free agents.
The Bills declined to comment, except to point out what coach Dick Jauron said about the team's potential free agents at the end of last season.
"Our guys may want to test the market, and we understand that," Jauron said. "But we'd like to be kept in the loop and keep the conversations up with them and be as honest as we can be with them and keep an open mind as we chase our guys and others. That's the game. That's the business."
The Bills finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year, but showed signs of gelling in the final two months of Jauron's first season in Buffalo.
Clements' loss would be a significant blow to a unit that also risks losing starting middle linebacker London Fletcher to free agency.
Clements was part of a young and patchwork defense that struggled against the run last season, yet did not allow an opponent 300 yards passing.
Buffalo's 2001 first-round pick out of Ohio State, Clements is coming off a strong year in which he shut down most opponents' top receivers -- including limiting the Colts' Marvin Harrison to two catches for 21 yards in Buffalo's 17-16 loss in November.
He also held Miami's Chris Chambers to no receptions in a 21-0 win in December, the first time Chambers had been shut out since the Dolphins' 2002 season finale.
Clements' three interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- put him second among Bills players last season and he also forced two fumbles. In 96 career games, he's registered 23 interceptions and holds the franchise record with seven touchdown returns (five off interceptions, two during punt returns).
The Bills would have lost Clements last offseason if they hadn't put the franchise label on him. The move prevented Clements from entering free agency, but forced the team to pay him a one-year, $7.2 million salary.
Buffalo, however, gave up the right to franchise Clements again as part of an agreement to get him to sign with the team in May and not miss any offseason practices. Clements, otherwise, could have waited until the start of training camp to accept his contract.
