The niners signed CB Nate Clements to the richest contract in NFL history at his position? Thats more than Champ Bailey people. If he was that damn good then why were the Bills not trying to lock him up before the start of last season or put the franchise tag on him this last month. If he is supposedly that valuble then the bills would have tried to get him traded last yr before his contract ran out so they can get some compensation (i.e. champ bailey for clinton portis trade a few yrs back). Any way i dont see what the niners see in this guy. He is not champ bailey but he will be payed more than him. What is your take on this?
2007-03-02 22:35:39 · 12 answers · asked by lamar t 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
The reason why Clements got that much money this year is because the amount of good players available in free agency is slim. There is not many and teams are fighting over the good ones. Also, because of the increase in the finacial cap teams can spend, more teams have excess money to spend compared to past years. This also played a role in the players available getting record contracts. SF by the way is 38 million under the CAP.... the most in the NFL. They have the most to spend which is why they did this.
Also, Clements is only 28 years old. It is very rare an elite CB becomes available in his prime. Usually, teams keep them at this point of their career.
By the way, Champ Bailey only had 21 Interception his first six seasons. Clements has 23 in six seasons so far. He is a shut down corner and could evolve into being as good or better than Bailey.
Another thing, the bills dont tend to give record contracts to their players. They are very conservative when it comes to spending and thats why they didnt resign him. They knew he'd get a record contract taking into account other teams cap space. Also, no one is going to trade for a player if they know he likely wont be resigned by his current team.
Also you have to take into account where SF is at developmentally. They are desperate for Defensive help.
As for if they made a mistake, only time will tell. At this point you could argue both ways.
CounselorDan
2007-03-02 22:58:54 · answer #1 · answered by CounselorDan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't begin to understand the salary structure in sports...period! I would imagine some of it had to do with the salary cap in the NFL. No one is worth the money that gets thrown around by all these franchises. I suppose anyone if a team, any team, wants someone bad enough, they will pay whatever it takes to get him. I know it doesn't seem fair, certainly to established stars like Champ Bailey or Clinton Portis but it's whatever the market bears.
2007-03-03 07:05:42 · answer #2 · answered by Yankee Dude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nate Clements is one hell of a CB. He can cover and he can support the run he is in the top 5 at his position. That being said, is he worth 80million? Certainly not. The 49ers locked up a good CB and he will help him but sooner or later that contract will come back to haunt them.
I dont believe in acquiring costly FA...I prefer to let them go and develop your young talent....case in point A.Samuel....
2007-03-03 09:26:31 · answer #3 · answered by Hatersproof 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bills just can't afford to make a wealthy contract decision.as the 49ers are going on an up hill journey trying to build a contending team.with players and most the time agents seem to think the talent level for that player is worth millions.well sorry if your a 49ers fan but to ansew flat out yeah they made a mistake you never take a bills player
2007-03-03 07:47:24 · answer #4 · answered by yougonna_eatthat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason he took so much money was he was in the middle of a bidding war between the 49ers and the Browns when the 9ers gave him 23 mill guaranteed the Browns wisely backed off but now that they used such a big chunk of they re free agent money it leaves more free agents for every one else
2007-03-03 07:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by mdiggity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only time will tell.he could really help in a weak division like the west.a couple more pieces and the 49ers could contend for the west title.the money thing is all together different.one things for sure they definately wanted him more than anyone else.having a good d-line and corners frees up the safeties and lbs to blitz and stuff the run.also after years of saying they had no money to spend on quality players its nice to see them spend it now that they have it.
2007-03-03 09:12:38 · answer #6 · answered by mike hunt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
contracts across the board are higher than when THE champ was signed so its not surprising...all these little girls think they deserve this ridiculous amounts of money bc someone else got it at one point. its like that in all sports now.. i mean theres pitchers who only play once every 5 games making 16-17 mill a year...inflation
2007-03-03 09:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by yea boy1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that they paid to much
BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Nate Clements and Champ Bailey are one of the best in the NFL
BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Buffallos the team that went to the SB 4 years in a row and still never won.
U NEVER KNOW WHAT THE THEYRE THINKIN
2007-03-03 08:30:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is how free agency works. When you have a class of free agents that is this weak, then the top free agents are going to be overpaid. No matter what team the top 5 free agents sign with, THEY WILL BE OVERPAID.
2007-03-03 09:17:34 · answer #9 · answered by mister w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to wait till they play the rams and Holt to see.
2007-03-03 09:27:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋