hagan714

Bills' Clements intends to test free agency

NFL.com wire reports



BUFFALO, N.Y. (Feb. 8, 2007) -- Cornerback Nate Clements, a key to the Bills' defense, plans to test free agency next month.

His agent, Todd France, told The Associated Press it's in his client's best interest to pursue free agency once the period opens March 2. France added that Clements is open to re-signing with the Bills if the team makes a competitive offer.

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."

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 contract with Denver in 2004.

It's unclear whether Clements can attract a similar offer, but teams probably will be prepared to outbid Buffalo. The small-market franchise might be projected to have plenty of salary-cap space to spend this offseason, but Buffalo has a history of not holding high-priced free agents.

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 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.
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/BUF/9984102

What is how much is Champ money ?

Bailey, Roland CB (#24)
1999 Round: 1

Salary History

2004 1000000.00
2005 540000.00
2006 5500000.00
2007 5500000.00
2008 7500000.00
2009 6500000.00
2010 9500000.00

http://www.nflpa.org/Resources/Activ....aspx?id=26997

so that is about 5.2 million a year.

Grant may cost about another 4 million. Hollis about 2, Stinch about 3.
Thats some 14+ milion in cap right there. Which does not leave much to sign RFA and such. Plus it would cut into the cap nimbers for years to come.

I am only ball parking here I know, but some thing has to give. I am betting on Stinch to price himself out of the market for us. Some one is going to offer him to much. Then comes Grant who by all speculation will get franchised. If that happens do not be surprised to see us look at additional DE in FA to address that position for 2008.

So is Clements worth the money? maybe so. but if it cost us from keeping or getting some additional FA I wonder if it would be better to sign lesser CB at a more reasonable market value.

fhs623

forget him, and draft a young CB. saints should spend the money on re-signing their own guys and upgrading their LBs and DTs.

papz

He's not going to get Bailey money... I think at least 10 mil less. He's just as good of a cover corner as Bailey, maybe even better, but he doesn't create the turnovers Bailey does. Plus Bailey has all the hype around him and the more marketable player. I'd throw 49 mil for 7 years with 15 up front at him and see if he bites. If there's anyone player we need out there in free agency, it's him. We overpaid for Brees last year and it worked out pretty well.

hagan714

good point papz.
he is getting paid in 2006 7226000.00
I think he will go at 56 for 7. do not forget cost of inflation and the increase in cap each year. yes they do worry about the cost of bread and beer.

D24pick

Didn't I been posted this. I posted something like this to all the people who said Samuel would want more than Clements. Like I said go Samuel becuase he doesn't want to be franchised by the Pats. Got to find the link, which gives us a great chance of getting him

CheramieIII

Screw them get some fresh meat. We need someone alot faster than Thomas after we cut him and Harper coming back is going to dramatically improve the secondary. Compare the first few games to the last several and you will see a big difference.

faldhamen

Pick up Hood and Draft young CB is the way to go if the price is not right to pick Samuel or Clement.

hagan714

fred "the sex boat" smoot sounds to be out of minni

Vikings | Smoot not likely to return to team next season
Fri, 9 Feb 2007 17:12:18 -0800

Kevin Seifert, of the Star Tribune, reporting for The Sporting News, reports it seems increasingly unlikely that Minnesota Vikings CB Fred Smoot will return to the team next season. Smoot and Vikings' head coach Brad Childress have not spoken this offseason, which appears to be a sign that Smoot is not in the team's plans for the future
http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

If he can keep his pants zipped, he might work out.

D24pick

Smoot wouldn't be a bda pick-up. He makes plays and has done it well. I'd take Samuel and Smoot, and a young CB in the 3rd or 4th

TheDeuce

I wouldn't mind Smoot if Payton believes that his character could deal with Bourbon Street.

But what I really like is what faldhamen is saying, get Roderick Hood. The guy ended his season with an injury, which will probably down his value. But the guy is a ProBowl caliber corner. Good speed, big hitter. I like him a lot, and he definitely won't warrant "Champ Bailey money".