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Shutdown Corner

Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

49ers reduce Clements' role against Colts

By Doug Farrar

In March of 2007, former Bills cornerback Nate Clements(notes) signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the 49ers. NFL contracts are full of funny money, but the Niners guaranteed Clements $22.6 million upon signing. That is, by any standard (you'll pardon the expression) shutdown corner money. And by any other standard. Clements hasn't lived up to the price. It's not always a player's fault when he can't match the money he's paid -- what is he supposed to do, refuse the extra cash offered by a desperate or foolish team because he knows he's not elite? Not hardly. In his first year with the 49ers, Clements gave up 7.7 yards per pass play (stats courtesy Football Outsiders), which ranked 36th among NFL cornerbacks. In 2008, that YPP jumped up to 9.6, which ranked 75th.

It hasn't been any better in 2009. Through Week 7, San Francisco ranks 29th in Pass Defense DVOA against #1 receivers, the kind Clements usually covers. These top receivers have gained 7.8 yards per play and 91.4 yards per game (that stat is the highest in the NFL), and putting those potential defensive deficits against a Colts offense that could tear up any opponent in the league is just too risky.

So, the 49ers have announced that Clements will not start at left cornerback again when the Niners hit Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow. San Francisco will start Tarrell Brown in his place. Official word is that Brown, who the team likes enough to sign him to a three-year extension just a few days ago, looks like a better matchup against Indy's smaller, faster receivers. Whatever the reason, this isn't good news for Clements, who turns 30 in December and may soon be seen as an financial albatross unless he renegotiates or moves to safety or something of the sort. After all, the Broncos, Raiders, and Jets don't bench Champ Bailey(notes), Nnamdi Asomugha(notes), and Darrelle Revis because of matchup issues. The best cornerbacks play on a no-matter-what basis. Clements will still see the field against the Colts' multi-receiver sets, but he's now a very expensive reserve.

Related: Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers

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26 Comments

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  1. monkey spanker
    1. Posted by monkey spanker Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:07 pm EDT

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    another bay area free agent signing not living up to the hype. sounds like everyone the giants get.. still a team with lots of talent, hopefully nate gets it together
  2. Sam C
    2. Posted by Sam C Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:10 pm EDT

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    Maybe he'll start at saftey?
  3. Roger
    3. Posted by Roger Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:53 pm EDT

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    Strategic move so Nate can shadow Dallas Clark
  4. Sean D
    4. Posted by Sean D Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:26 pm EDT

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    Ouch! Nate has been a fairly good pick up in my mind. He hits hard and can make huge plays when needed. I know he has not lived up to that contract, but he plays hard. Maybe this will amp up the kid.
  5. Irish Bastard
    5. Posted by Irish Bastard Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

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    and the 49ers paid this guy more than hes worth . So 49ers fans think thats a shame,how would you like to be a redskins fan where the D-Sht owner spends money for the last few years and look what they got ...lmao.
  6. Richard C
    6. Posted by Richard C Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    A couple of thoughts...and the disclaimer: I am a Nate defender. I wonder if the stat of yd/pass play is really all that meaningful. Is it an average of all pass plays or just completed ones? For example, Gore has not been having a stellar season but his average still looks good because of two break-away runs...just two. It seems to me that several of the receivers Nate has had to cover have been effectively out of the game, and then he'll get burned for a long play, and the average gets skewed. He hits hard, gets a lot of tackles, seems to be around the ball a lot, and (except for the preseason) I don't see the word "quit" in the guy. Given the exaggerated skewing of the rules to favor receivers so we all get to see lots of scoring, it is no surprise to me that the notion of a shut-down corner may not have so much relevance now. I am not totally trying to excuse the guy, but I see him pretty far down the line from the team's weakest link. My $.02. And worth about as much.
  7. Lok
    7. Posted by Lok Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:27 pm EDT

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    See here's the thing i think that the media is making a bit to much of it and they dont bring up what he has done in the respects of run defense and such. set aside that horrible play he had against Roddy white a few weeks ago and he has had a really good season. here the thing its all bout matchups against the Colts; he is not starting because they plan to move him inside to cover the slot receiver which is a big component in the Colts Offensive and it will allow him to cover more again of Dallas Clark. the headline should have said that Takeo Spikes will have a decreased role since the Niners will probably be in the Dime most of the game. Clements is going to see starter minutes so there should be no worries bout his mental state
  8. Vikrant
    8. Posted by Vikrant Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:39 pm EDT

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    Clements has done a good job this season. Not a great job though. I practically shutdown andre johnson (not when it counted though as they scored the winning feild goal after his 40 yd catch).
    AS a niner fan, it seems like this team never sticks to what they say during training camp. Hard Nosed running? All of a sudden we saw 5 WR set vs HOU. Shaun will be the starter, bench him half way through the season (same happaned lat yr).
    They say they are looking for a spark? there are ways to spark a team up rather than shaking up the very core of what you THINK you stand for! One player has one good game on this team all of a sudden he's the next big thing!! Even Patrick Willis' production has fallen this season after the couple of good games. Only one way a team can be great which is by being CONSISTENT for 16+ games a season and repeating it season after season.
    Having said that, I am hoping for a 9er win and will watch the whole game no matter what the result.
  9. Incredibly_Disrespected
    9. Posted by Incredibly_Disrespected Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:12 am EDT

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    The Colts are gonna lose 1 or 2 this season. They've got the next 3 in a row at home. Their first tough opponent will be the 3rd game, vs New England. The 49ers will go home tomorrow with a loss and then they'll face the Titans who will get their 2nd win of the season in SF. The slide toward 3rd in the NFC West has begun.
  10. Clay
    10. Posted by Clay Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:10 am EDT

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    I guess we should all pack it in 'icredibly disrespected' has spoken and he knows winning being cards fan with thier 5 super bowl wins............................ what a chump, fear is a motha.. go 9ers !!!!!!!!
  11. Keith
    11. Posted by Keith Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:27 am EDT

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    " Strategic move so Nate can shadow Dallas Clark "
    +1.... TITCR
  12. bill
    12. Posted by bill Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:13 am EST

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    too bad for nate, it is amazing how a good pass rush makes corners look great.
    and we don't have a very good pass rush. plus with all the three and outs the offense is providing, the defense is not getting much rest,and is wearing down.
  13. tygrbass
    13. Posted by tygrbass Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:46 am EST

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    it dosnt really matter who plays the colts are going to slaughter the 9 ers one way or the other
  14. MichaelP
    14. Posted by MichaelP Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:11 am EST

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    Incredibly_Disrespected, you're going to be disappointed when you're wrong, once again. The Colts will run the 48ers out of Lucas Oil Stadium, and they can also handle both the Broncos and the hated Patriots, so go jump in the pond, you fool. GO BLUE!!!
  15. brian b
    15. Posted by brian b Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:18 am EST

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    Hey Alex Smith got that kind of money and he is finally starting again. Maybe it will work out.
  16. brian b
    16. Posted by brian b Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:02 am EST

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    I'm a 49er hater and even I was surprised at their impressive start but they have finally come back down to earth and the Colts will easily hand them defeat. Although I hope the 49ers get it done for live4surf and norcal niner.
  17. BigD
    17. Posted by BigD Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:23 pm EST

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    Disrespected - that must suck for you that your awesome team lost to the niners at home. I know they are playing well right now, but it is a long season. The niners will most likely lose today,but I like their chances going foreward. When the niners are on they obviously can play well - well enough to beat the cards, thats a given; it already happened.
  18. doradoeye
    18. Posted by doradoeye Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:45 pm EST

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    I've been a 9ers fan since the glory days and stuck by them through the thin years. I am still hoping that we are going to have a break through this year. I admire Mike and his Christian no non-sense leadership. It just seems that management makes some really bad decisions, like Nate, where we overpay and get average results.
    We are very close to bumping up over the 500 mark and could close with a decent record, when considering our remaining schedule. This 3 game loosing streak is a bit disturbing, but I see some good things. I feel Mike should concentrate on the "D" more and tighten up. If we can continue to hold teams to 2 TD's or less and give Alex the time he needs to become more confident with what I perceive to be one of the better, at least potentially, receiving corps in the league, then we should have a good remaining season and high prospects for next season. Go 9ers.......................................
  19. Vito
    19. Posted by Vito Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:02 pm EST

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    i wanna say nice game to the 49ers that shows they are getting better and iron mike will get this team to their hay day and alex smith i think has come in and proved himself they still aint elite but they are takin steps need to be.
  20. JRF
    20. Posted by JRF Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:51 pm EST

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    Ten million dollars a year and they have him returning punts ... something the last guy got paid $600,000 a year to do. Rossum was cut when Crabtree was signed. So Arnez Batle returned punts for one week, and lost the job due to his muffed punt.
    Yet, they have Clements, who is one of the better hitting corners, who was actually great against the run and solid against the pass (39th against the pass out of 62 starting corners is not bad.) He has the ability to make plays.
    He probably should be a safety at this point in his career. He should not be returning punts and injury was the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw him out there in the first quarter. Damaging his shoulder returning punts ... come on 49ers braintrust, that was a bad idea.
    Think guys, think!!! Stupid. Just plain stupid.
  21. YGM
    21. Posted by YGM Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:29 pm EST

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    I thought the niners would do good this season, but I was wrong again. GGO PATRIOTS!!!

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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