The 49ers say they aren't starting cornerback Nate Clements on Sunday because he doesn't match up well with the Colts. Or at least the 49ers coaches believe that Tarrell Brown matches up with smaller receivers like Reggie Wayne better.
No matter how the 49ers want to spin it, it's telling that the team's high profile free agent signing from 2007 isn't one of the best two cornerbacks on the team.
Shawntae Spencer has rebounded well after ACL surgery. Brown was signed to a long-term deal earlier this week. Clements is a solid cornerback that can tackle and he'll wind up playing most snaps Sunday because the Colts usually go three wide. But Clements' demotion is a reminder how phony splashy free agent deals can be.
Clements' contract was essentially a seven-year, $64 million that had a fake final season tacked on to make it 8 years for $80 million. That way, Clements and his agent could say he was the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. Now there are questions whether he'll make it to year four of the year contract.
Clements is due $6 million next season and he's not worth that money unless he plays every snap.
49ers bench "$80 million" cornerback Clements
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on October 31, 2009 3:31 PM ET
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Never thought of Reggie as a smaller receiver. And if the Niners don't get pressure on my boy Peyton, it won't matter of they Emmitt Thomas and Mel Blount in their primes were at corner.
Singletary is going to win a Super Bowl in that town before he leaves. They guy has a pair of brass ones so you better come to play. I like this move a bunch.
If Reggie Wayne is a small receiver at 6'0, 198 then Ben Roethlisberger is a slightly above average sized QB. What is Santana Moss then, invisible?
by small he's not calvin johnson 6'5 236.. or larry fitz 6'3 217
At least his wife is happy he not here anymore. JERK.
If you actually watch the games you will see hes ALWAYS getting burned every game. Reminds me of our mishap....DeAngelo Hall! A mistake but not an $80 Mill mistake.
if he's 80 mil good how could he be benched?
Hey Whiners I'm 80 mil good too...Pay me.
Singletary (zero experience as a head coach) has guys like fan of four snowed in SF. Probably because this is going to be their 8th straight losing season. Singletary's about to be 3-4, has no o or d-lines, and terrible qb's yet people think the team is something to talk about. They're about the 22nd best team in the NFL. Big wow....
Wow, that sweetieMo guy (or girl) is on it. To think, the Niners could have had such better head coaches... Turner, Shell, Cable. It's a shame they are stuck with a "zero experience" former Hall of fame player who is respected league wide.
Can't wait for your next thoght provoking post there...sweetieMo.
Wow...do I really see choakland raiders talking? Shhh...don't speak like no doubt 'cause you guys have JuMarKass Buster! Talk about a waste of money. By the way, does it upset you to know that Michael Crabtree did more in one game than Darius Hey-would-you-like-to-see-me-drop-the-ball-or-run-the-wrong-route-Bay?
Each and every game and idiotic personnel move I become more convinced how incredibly stuipid hiring Singletary as HC was... He's like Nolan, only he's even worse with talent...