CB Nate Clements (San Francisco 49ers)

[Buckskin86]

Investment in Clements pays off
49ERS CORNERBACK HELPS LIMIT ARIZONA PASSING TO 100 YARDS
By Daniel Brown
Mercury News
Article Launched: 09/11/2007 01:37:17 AM PDT

Only when it was over - in the safety of the locker room - did 49ers cornerbacks allow a ball to settle easily in the hands of the intended receiver. That was when Coach Mike Nolan handed a game ball to the secondary. No one tried intercepting that one.

Until that moment, Walt Harris, Nate Clements and Co. did their best to disrupt anything headed their direction. And the unit succeeded in shutting down the potent Arizona Cardinals passing game in a 20-17 victory Monday.

The 49ers limited the usually dynamic duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to a combined seven catches for 42 yards.

The longest Arizona catch of the night was a 15-yarder - on a dump off pass to running back Edgerrin James.

"That's as good a performance as I've seen against those guys in a long time," Nolan said. Silencing the Cardinals passing game was at least part of the reason the 49ers shelled out $80 million for Clements in the off-season. They signed him within hours of the first day of free agency.

Clements began paying off immediately. The Cardinals rarely bothered throwing his direction. Whether lined up against Boldin or Fitzgerald, the new cornerback allowed only an occasional hint of space.

http://www.mercurynews.com/49ersheadlines/ci_6859721

[Buckskin86]

Clements' Coverage

September 14, 2007

Pro Bowl cornerback Nate Clements was a marked man this off-season when his services became available at the start of free agency. The 49ers made quick work of getting him signed, sealed and delivered in San Francisco, and this season Clements will trade off every other week previewing the upcoming opponent in his column Clements' Coverage.

http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detai...tion=PR%20News

[Tanner]

So I'm very happy to have Clements. He's probably the best corner we've had since Deion about a decade ago...

[Buckskin86]

Clements Named GMC Defensive Player of the Week
September 20, 2007

Cornerback Nate Clements of the San Francisco 49ers is the GMC Defensive Player of the Week for games played on September 16 - 17.

Clements made six tackles (six solo), had one sack, and forced a fumble in the 49ers? 17-16 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Clements? third-quarter forced fumble that went through the end zone resulting in a touchback thwarted a Rams? drive and began the 49ers? third-quarter touchdown drive.

46,200 fans voted this week on NFL.com.

Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News

Steelers wary of Clements' presence
By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
Article Launched: 09/21/2007 01:52:37 AM PDT

As Nate Clements readies for his matchup Sunday against Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, the 49ers cornerback is still getting recognition for his play last Sunday.

Clements was named defensive player of the week Thursday in online fan voting on NFL.com.

He had six tackles, a sack and forced a fumble during a pivotal play in the 49ers' 17-16 victory at St. Louis. Torry Holt was making a run for the end zone after a third-quarter catch when Clements punched the ball out. It rolled into the end zone and out of bounds for a touchback, giving possession to the 49ers, who went on to score a touchdown.

Among those paying attention was Ward.

"We saw the play and that's one thing we noted, that these guys are great at getting the ball out," Ward said during a conference call. "For us wide receivers, that's definitely something we would emphasize this week - ball protection."

Ward, who has caught a pass in 135 consecutive games, said Clements' physical style makes for a challenging matchup.

"A lot of cornerbacks get that stereotype as guys who don't like to hit, but Nate is one of those guys who'll stick his nose in there," Ward said.

Clements said he works to maintain every aspect of his game.

"I take pride in being a complete cornerback, working in coverage, pressing, coming up and tackling, running to the ball, stripping it, going for the interception, all of that, " he said.

He'll need every element

against Ward, whom 49ers Coach Mike Nolan has described as the best-blocking receiver in the game. Clements referred to Ward as the "complete receiver," capable of laying a crushing block on one play and catching a pass for a big gain on the next.
"He's very tough," Clements said.

http://www.mercurynews.com/49ersheadlines/ci_6957415

Fans vote Clements defensive player of week
After further review, defensive end Young is awarded another sack
By Dennis Georgatos
MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Launched: 09/21/2007 03:03:26 AM PDT

http://www.contracostatimes.com/49ers/ci_6958048

[Buckskin86]

ERIC GILMORE: TIMES COLUMNIST
Clements proving wise investment
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 09/23/2007 03:02:41 AM PDT


The 49ers knew they were getting one of the NFL's best cornerbacks when they signed Nate Clements on the first day of free agency in March.

They knew they were getting a complete corner, that rare commodity, quick enough to blanket receivers and strong enough to take on running backs.

They knew they were getting a corner who showed a knack for making big plays and forcing turnovers with the Buffalo Bills.

What they didn't know was how Clements would handle the pressure of becoming the 49ers' $80 million dollar man.

Clements' deal includes $22 million guaranteed. Any way you cut it, it's one of the biggest contracts for a defensive player in NFL history.

It's no secret big money can do some strange things to an athlete's mind. For proof, we have an example in our back yard, Giants pitcher Barry Zito.

After jumping from the A's to the Giants for a cool $126 million this year, Zito said he felt as he had that contract number tattooed on his forehead.

It took Zito much of the season to adjust, relax and stop trying so hard to prove he was worth the money.

And Clements?

"I don't really think of it like that," Clements said earlier this week. "I go out there and play and have fun.

"This is something I've been playing since I was a little kid."

http://www.contracostatimes.com/49ers/ci_6977411

[keeganbrick]

Did anyone watch that Steelers/49ers game yesterday? Great game for Clements, he was just all over the field the whole day. That play where he came flying in and stopped the WR reverse was awesome.

[Buckskin86]

Making Halloween wishes come true


Danielle Adragna
October 31, 2007

Simply showing up is a huge part of anything, whether it be on the football field physically and mentally, or showing up for class on time, prepared and ready to learn.

The students in Mr. Stewart?s class at Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary School in San Francisco?s Bayview learned that lesson well in the first six weeks of the school year. They were the class with the least amount of tardies and the best attendance throughout August and September.

For their success the students were handsomely rewarded with not only a visit from the 49ers, but every student in the class received their very own Halloween costume of their choice as part of the Halloween Wish Celebration.

Cornerback Nate Clements reminisced back to his childhood and decided that his favorite Halloween costume was when he was a football player, rightfully so. Back then Clements didn't have a tardy party to motivate him, but being able to suit up in that uniform on a regular basis served as an incentive.

?My parents were very strict with me about being on time, and making good grades" recalled Clements. "I wasn?t an ?A? student, but I worked hard to keep my grades up so I could play sports.?

Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News

[Buckskin86]

With all his millions, Clements is only one guy
Posted by: D.Laurant on December 5, 2007 12:13 AM

So, at this point in the NFL season, with the San Francisco 49ers sitting at 3-9 and mathematically eliminated from even reaching .500, much less the playoffs, the question might be asked: Was Nate Clements worth it?

Was he worth $80 million over eight years, with $22 million guaranteed?

Obviously not.

Which is not a knock on Clements, by any means. In fact, the eight-year veteran from Ohio State is on track to comfortably surpass the numbers he put up for Buffalo last year -- the numbers that inspired the Niners to throw a king's ransom at him.

Last season, the 6-foot, 209-pounder had 79 tackles, two forced fumbles and three interceptions. This year, with four games remaining, he already has 73 tackles, three fumbles forced and three picks. He's picked up his game the last two weeks, producing eight tackles, an interception and a 41-yard punt return in a loss to Carolina (and, on the downside, a robust late hit on Steve Smith that cost the Niners 15 yards at a bad time).

San Francisco 49ers "With all his millions, Nate Clements is only one guy"- Realfootball365.com

[Buckskin86]

49ers' Clements has been doing his part
John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, December 9, 2007

This is not what Nate Clements had bargained for, but then again, Nate Clements is no bargain.

When the 49ers snapped up the Buffalo Bills' premier cornerback seconds into the free agency period last March and signed him to a theoretical $80 million contract over eight years (the last two years can be voided), they made him, for a time at least, the highest paid defensive player in NFL history.

Clements came on board expecting to play for a team on the come, a contender, after toiling on four losing teams in six years in Buffalo. Instead, he's a foot soldier on another losing squad, a valiant player noticeable for the red tips on his black cleats and the sure manner in which he brings ball carriers to the ground.

"The season hasn't been going the way we wanted," Clements said. "I love the sport, No. 1. I can't think of nothing better to do than play football. I'm going to do everything I possibly can as an individual to make the team better, whether it's extra film study, extra conditioning or footwork."

49ers' Clements has been doing his part

[Buckskin86]

Clements Named 49ers Walter Payton Man of the Year print


Katherine Madariaga
December 19, 2007

The San Francisco 49ers have named cornerback Nate Clements as the Club?s 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year. The prestigious award, unique among NFL honors, recognizes a player for his community service activities as well as his play on the field.

?This is a big transition for me, moving from Buffalo to San Francisco. I told myself that one of my goals is to get more involved in the community, as well as being an addition on the field. I stayed in a routine and it?s been fun being out in the community. It feels good to help others.?

Clements was signed to the 49ers in 2007 to bolster the 49ers defense. The seven-year NFL veteran from Ohio State has routinely shadowed the opponent?s top receiver and leads the team with 14 passes defensed. Clements is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and has shown to be a complete defender, notching 100 tackles and a team leading three forced fumbles on the season.

Clements was recently named a 2008 Pro Bowl alternate and is the co-winner of the 49ers team award, the Bill Walsh Award, given to the 49ers team MVP to honor his outstanding individual annual performance.

Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News

[osugrad21]

Canton

Browns notebook: Clements misses out on playoff chase
Free agent had considered Browns
Friday, December 28, 2007
By Steve Doerschuk
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

BEREA Not that he needs the money, but Nate Clements has never worked overtime.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound cornerback?s job always has been done when the postseason begins.

He sounds a bit rueful about six seasons outside the playoffs with Buffalo and this one with the 49ers (5-10). Then again, he could have been a Brown, playing against rather than for San Francisco on Sunday.

Clements said he considered the Browns, Buccaneers and Cardinals at the start of free agency. He agreed to terms with San Francisco faster than the giant ball drops on New Year?s Eve as the 49ers made him the highest-paid player in NFL history with an eight-year, $80 million contract.

Clements played high school football at Shaker Heights, a Cleveland suburb. He rode out the latter days of the John Cooper era at Ohio State.

Cont...

[Buckskin86]

On the Road with CB Nate Clements
December 28, 2007

The curtain comes to a close on the 49ers 2007 season in Cleveland, Ohio, the home state of corner back Nate Clements. Find out what Clements had to say about the game and his visit back home in this On the Road Q&A.

Q: You were born and raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Do you get back very often and are you looking forward to this weekend?s trip?

A: I try to go back in the off-season as much as possible, and I am looking forward to finishing out the season in my hometown.

Q: You were the first player to be inducted into your high school?s Hall of Fame? How big of an honor was that?

A: It was an honor, and a lot of hard work. The foundation of my football career and my athletic skills starter back there, so that was something I?ll never forget.

Q: Growing up were you a big Cleveland Browns fan?

A: Definitely, when I was a kid I enjoyed watching the Browns play. They had a lot of great players. Sports is very big there. It?s a blue collared town and they really support their teams. They are true fans and it?s something you respect.

Q: You played at Ohio State, did you ever consider anywhere else or were you committed to staying in state and being close to home?

A: My top three choices were Ohio State, Syracuse and Michigan State. I felt that going to Ohio State was the best thing for me as far as elevating my game and helping me to reach the next level. It was nice to be close to home, but that really didn?t influence my decision. This has actually ended up being my first year though where I?ve been far from home, because Ohio State was about an hour and a half away and then I was drafted by Buffalo which was only about two and a half hours. So, I was fortunate in the past that my friends and family were able to watch me play.

Q: What are some fun facts about Ohio?

A: I mean football is huge there, but that?s not really a surprise. I think there?s a lot of talent in northeast Ohio. A lot of players came from that area - Lee Evans, Chris Chambers, London Fletcher, Elvis Grbac, Desmond Howard ? the list goes on.

Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News

[Buckskin86]

Clements needs to make more plays to earn his worth
Posted by: Anthony Bialy on February 26, 2008

Eighty million dollars buys an improvement from 26th to 22nd. That's what San Francisco got for its investment in cornerback Nate Clements: The 49ers jumped from being bad in pass defense all the way to somewhat closer to mediocre. Even if it's true that his final season of his record-smashing deal has been voided, leading to both a smaller per year and grand total, Clements didn't do enough to justify the barely less enormous contract.

San Francisco 49ers "Nate Clements needs to make more plays to earn his worth"- Realfootball365.com

[Buckskin86]

Top Five with CB Nate Clements
June 25, 2008



Veteran cornerback Nate Clements joined the 49ers during the 2007 off-season and instantly proved to be a force in the secondary. He started all 16 games for his sixth consecutive season and ranked third on the team with 110 tackles and tied for first with four interceptions. Check out this Top Five with Clements!

Q: Looking back on your first year with the 49ers, was it more, less or about what you expected?
A: It was extremely different coming in to a new team. It was exciting for me because of the atmosphere. The people, my teammates, the coaches welcomed me here. But bottom line, it?s about winning games and we didn?t do that and so it was a long season. So this year, I?m back on the grind and working out even harder to help this team win games.

Q: This off-season there was much ado made about you selecting the best receivers in the NFL for ESPN. Tell us about making those picks.
A: Every week every team has a star receiver, has a stud. Since I?ve been in the league and all of the guys I?ve had the opportunity to play against, I felt that Marvin Harrison, Chad Johnson and Randy Moss were the top three. That?s not to say that they are the only good receivers in this league. For me, it?s definitely a challenge each week going up against that team because you know they have a stud as well.

Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News

[Buckskin86]

Ranking the top 25 NFL defensive backs
Posted: July 22, 2008
War Room scouts

4. Nate Clements, CB, San Francisco 49ers. An aggressive corner who is physical and excels in man coverage. He can smother receivers at the line of scrimmage and knock them off their routes, and still has the speed to turn and run with any receiver to make up for mistakes caused by his aggressive style. He has tremendous ball skills, change of direction and closing speed. Clemens shuts down an entire side of the field in the 49ers' secondary.

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