The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

When the NFL's free agency period commences on March 2, the Buffalo Bills could stand to lose their No. 1 cornerback, Nate Clements. The 27-year-old, who was a first-round pick of Buffalo's in 2001, will become an unrestricted free agent. If Clements and the Bills can't reach a long-term deal prior to early March, he'll more than likely head for greener pastures elsewhere.

There's no doubt the Bills are faced with an interesting dilemma. They'll have roughly $39 million in salary-cap space, meaning re-signing Clements won't appear to be a problem. However, most important will be the amount of bonus money owner Ralph Wilson is willing to dole out. Unfortunately for Buffalo, the penny-pinching Wilson has lately earned the reputation as someone who doesn't enjoy handing out bonus-laden contracts.

The 6-foot, 209-pound Clements has plenty of various factors on his side that would warrant a massive deal. First of all, he hasn't missed a game in six years (96 starts). Clements also has a whopping 23 interceptions, which is good enough for an average of just under four per season. Finally, the fact that Clements has above-average size allows him to outmuscle opposing receivers, which has led to numerous picks and pass breakups.

If the Bills' general manager, Marv Levy, and Wilson decide not to re-sign Clements, it would leave the team in quite a hole. Buffalo at last began showing promise this past season, finishing 7-9 (5-4 over the last nine weeks). Sans Clements in the future, the Bills wouldn't have a true top-flight cornerback. The team's second starter from last year, Terrence McGee, struggled mightily, and nickel corner Kiwaukee Thomas certainly isn't cut out to fill Clements' void.

Ultimately, should the Bills lose Clements, it would mean they'd likely have to use a high-round draft pick on a player to take his place. But considering they spent three of their first four choices on defensive backs in April 2006's draft, they might be wary of utilizing yet another on a DB when other areas must be patched up.

Odds say that Clements will demand similar money to Denver Broncos All-Pro Champ Bailey. He signed a seven-year, $63 million deal with the Broncos in 2004, making him the richest corner in the game. Clements, of course, isn't on Bailey's level, but he is a high-end shutdown corner, which aren't easy to find these days.

When it's all said and done, the Bills' future will probably not include Clements. Because the Shaker Heights, Ohio, native is among the better defenders in football, he may price himself right out of frugal Buffalo's range.

In 2007, the Bills' new Clements could be McGee, Thomas, Ashton Youboty or a young draft choice. Either way, it will be a step down for Buffalo's defense, which finished seventh in passing yardage allowed last season.

Pats cornerback Asante Samuel is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. And if Samuel wants to get a big contract from his current team, we think he should tell his agent to shut the hell up.

We don't have a problem with the guy crowing about getting his client paid. But it's a proven fact that taking the fight public isn't the smartest way to negotiate with the Patriots.

"He's excited about the opportunity he has," said Alonzo Shavers, a Columbus, Ohio-based agent with (according to the NFLPA web site) five active NFL clients. "He loves New England. But New England has to love him too. At this point right now, he’s waited his turn for them to show that affection and that admiration. If they choose not to, well, obviously, we've had a good run there, and we'll set up camp in another location."

Shavers made these and other remarks to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. He also spoke to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe.

Hey, maybe Shavers' goal is to force Samuels onto the open market. With comments like that one and this one, it's more likely to happen than not: "I couldn't lean one way or the other," Shavers said regarding how his thinks this one will end. "I don’t feel like it’s not going to happen. But I don't have a lot of overwhelming confidence that it will happen with their track record on situations like this. But who knows? Change is in the air."

One thing that has changed is Samuel's perceived market value, which has gone up lately.

"We were pretty close at one point; it was probably about the sixth or seventh game of season," Shavers said. "But in deciding to wait, it was a gamble on everybody's part. I think they would have to redo some things to get him done at this point."

Here's the reality, as we see it. Shavers wants to take Samuel to the open market because Shavers knows that Samuel will get more money there than if he stays in New England. That Samuel might be happier on a long-term basis with the Patriots is irrelevant to Shavers. Given that Samuel has a tattoo that reads "Get Paid," it likely won't be too difficult for Shavers to persuade Samuel that money and happiness are one in the same.

And with six weeks or so to go until the free-agency period begins, it's a great opportunity for Shavers to get his name in circulation, in an effort to attract more clients. Frankly, we'd never heard of him before today. By March, there won't be many league observers who haven't.

Especially if he continues to not-so-subtly poke a stick into the team's eye.

If, in the end, the objective is for Samuel to "Get Paid" as much as possible, then there's no way he'll be back with the Patriots. Plenty of better players than him haven't "Got Paid" in the recent past, and it hasn't hurt the team's ability to compete.

Or has it? On one hand, it can be argued that guys like Ty Law, Deion Branch, and David Givens have been adequately replaced by guys like Samuel and Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. On the other hand, some readers have raised the question of whether Branch or Givens would have dropped the wide-open pass that the wide-eyed Caldwell couldn't snag on a key late drive against the Colts that could have resulted in a touchdown instead of a field goal.

Still, we don't think it's enough to get the Patriots to suddenly make like the Redskins and begin overpaying their looming free agents. And if they haven't given Samuel big money yet, we don't see it happening in the next month.

Another option for the Patriots is to use the franchise tag on Samuel, which would require the team to offer him a guaranteed one-year contract worth well in excess of $7 million. As the Pats did several years ago with safety Tebucky Jones, the team could then trade Samuel out from under the tag, ensuring that they would receive compensation if someone else wants to sign him.

With teams like the aforementioned Redskins out there, who are willing to overpay the "hot" names and who also have no qualms about coughing up draft picks, using the franchise tag seems to be a no-brainer.

But Shavers is already grousing about the possibility of the tag being used for purposes other than eventually working out a long-term deal. "I don't fear it, because there’s nothing I can do about it," Shavers told the Herald. "But there's two types. There's a franchise tag that stalls for time, and there's a franchise tag where you just couldn't get it done, but will get something long-term later. If they're stalling for time, no, it’s not going to be appreciated. And they're not going to find themselves with a happy camper."

Shavers was more direct with the Globe regarding the potential application of the franchise tag. "Disappointed would be an understatement," he said. "I think there would be a slight level of resentment there."

Hey, it wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. But still the Patriots continue to make the moves that keep them in the mix every year for a championship.

UK Skins Fan wrote:Every word I read from the mouths of player agents these days just makes my skin crawl. All this garbage about love, and warmth, and then the dreaded respect.

I'd make a run at Samuels, if his agent dangling on a rope was part of the deal.

Harsh?