ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Clements' agent, Todd France, declined comment except to tell The Associated Press that he and his client will weigh their options. Adding he was not surprised by the Bills' decision, France said he might meet with Bills management while attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. Remember, Nate still has to sign and accept the offer. The Franchise tag just bought the Bills some more time. My guess is that one or two things happen: A.) Nate signs a long term deal. B.) Nate threatens to hold out until he gets a long term deal. The $5.89MM is a relatively low number for someone who thinks that he is the best player in the league at his position. There is no way that he plays under the franchise tag this year and I can't really blame him. If he were to get hurt this year he would be totally screwed and would never be able to cash in. There is no gaurantee that he will be a Bill this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 There will be lots of posturing going on.....Eventually they will work out something....Guys in the recent past have had no problems playing for the FT money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Fine. He can sit out and make NO money. I'd sau $5.89M is better than nothing, wouldn't you? And NO player has EVER sat out the season because he was franchised, for that reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 Fine. He can sit out and make NO money. I'd sau $5.89M is better than nothing, wouldn't you? And NO player has EVER sat out the season because he was franchised, for that reason. 609329[/snapback] Of course I would but judging from the statements that Nate had made I can't imagine that he were very happy right now. If Nate doesn't get the deal that he wants I can see him trying to force the Bills into a sign and trade situation. At 26 he is still young but it is also a young mans position. Once corners get in the 30 range their value starts to decline. He might be looking at this as his one and only shot to cash in and have a huge payday. If he were to hold out he could try and force the Bills into a sign and trade type scenario. I just don't see him playing for that number this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 ACor58 -- with all due respect, you're dead wrong. Nate will most definitely be a Bill this season, and if a long-term deal isn't worked out, he may be franchised against next season. Players simply don't sit out. Anything his agent says right now is pure posturing, and he knows that Nate has very little leverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movinon Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Of course I would but judging from the statements that Nate had made I can't imagine that he were very happy right now. If Nate doesn't get the deal that he wants I can see him trying to force the Bills into a sign and trade situation. At 26 he is still young but it is also a young mans position. Once corners get in the 30 range their value starts to decline. He might be looking at this as his one and only shot to cash in and have a huge payday. If he were to hold out he could try and force the Bills into a sign and trade type scenario. I just don't see him playing for that number this year. 609339[/snapback] Right, who in there right mind would want to work for a paltry 5.89 million for one year - On top of the several million he's already made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 ACor58 -- with all due respect, you're dead wrong. Nate will most definitely be a Bill this season, and if a long-term deal isn't worked out, he may be franchised against next season. Players simply don't sit out. Anything his agent says right now is pure posturing, and he knows that Nate has very little leverage. 609349[/snapback] I hear what you are saying eball. I didn't say that he was going to sit out this season. I can see him holding out, possibly through training camp, until he gets his deal or if the Bills decide that they have had enough they may try to sign and trade him. I know that we can all sit here and say that $5.89MM is plenty and he should be willing to take it. But think about it, he has already said that he wants to be paid to be the highest cornerback in the league. Judging from what we know about Nate and his attitude already, he is not above holding out and demanding to be traded to a different team if he doesn't get what he wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eSJayDee Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 What having the franchise tag slapped on does is eliminate the huge signing bonus he was hoping for. The $5.89m is not THAT low relative to what his contract would have likely paid him on avg. (Remember, later years often have inflated #s that the player likely won't see.) It merely delays him going into free agency, which might almost be perceived as a good thing by him & his agent, as he could potentially improve his market value. (He didn't do too well last year.) Also, take into consideration that if he plays under the tag this year, to tag him next year will result in at least a 20% raise. Although we all seem to be pleased that we're getting the svcs of a top notch CB for the 'bargain' price of $5.89m this year, $7.1m I don't think is such a bargain AND there's no assurances that the tag price won't go up substantially above that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfladave Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Nate will not sit out. He would lose out on almost $6 million this year and the Bills still control his destiny. I think both sides will try very hard to work out a long term deal. If they can't Nate will be playing under the tag or will be traded, I think and hope the former. I think that it is ridiculous for people to think Nate should be "happy" to get $5.8 million for playing this year, you are way off base. If Nate does get to play the FA market he would be paid with a $10-15 signing bonus. I don't blame him from wanting to be paid what the market will bear. I think people look at $5-6 million and think that it is a large amount of money as compared to what they will ever make in their lifetime. That is a thought taken totally out of context. We live in a capitalist society, and people should not be looked down upon for for seeking fair compensation. If you think that someone making $6 million or more in a year is unjustified move to a socialist state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2004 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Clements' agent, Todd France, declined comment except to tell The Associated Press that he and his client will weigh their options. Adding he was not surprised by the Bills' decision, France said he might meet with Bills management while attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. Remember, Nate still has to sign and accept the offer. The Franchise tag just bought the Bills some more time. My guess is that one or two things happen: A.) Nate signs a long term deal. B.) Nate threatens to hold out until he gets a long term deal. The $5.89MM is a relatively low number for someone who thinks that he is the best player in the league at his position. There is no way that he plays under the franchise tag this year and I can't really blame him. If he were to get hurt this year he would be totally screwed and would never be able to cash in. There is no gaurantee that he will be a Bill this season. 609326[/snapback] This was a smart move by the Bills organization. They are putting the ball in Nate C's court, so ultimately the decision is up to him what he wants to do. The Bills will make a fair price to sign him long term. If he doesn't like the offer, he can play here in 2006 for the year and go to free agency next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Fine. He can sit out and make NO money. I'd sau $5.89M is better than nothing, wouldn't you? And NO player has EVER sat out the season because he was franchised, for that reason. 609329[/snapback] I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure Sean Gilbert sat out with the Skins the year prior to be signed by the Panthers.(edit) found this Gilbert sat out the 1997 season in a contract dispute with the Redskins before coming to Carolina. Now, I do believe he was the ONLY tagged player to ever be signed where the signing team gave up two first rounders. Think plenty of teams learned from that debacle. Also, heard a snippet yesterday that Upshaw is urging all agents to refrain from signing any contracts until the a new CBA is worked out. Heard he was mighty pissed at Reggie Wayne and his agent for his new deal. So, I think it highly unlikely you see any movement with Nate until that issue is dealt with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Interesting perspective from Todd FranceClements' agent, Todd France, declined comment except to tell The Associated Press that he and his client will weigh their options. Adding he was not surprised by the Bills' decision, France said he might meet with Bills management while attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week. Remember, Nate still has to sign and accept the offer. The Franchise tag just bought the Bills some more time. My guess is that one or two things happen: A.) Nate signs a long term deal. B.) Nate threatens to hold out until he gets a long term deal. The $5.89MM is a relatively low number for someone who thinks that he is the best player in the league at his position. There is no way that he plays under the franchise tag this year and I can't really blame him. If he were to get hurt this year he would be totally screwed and would never be able to cash in. There is no gaurantee that he will be a Bill this season. 609326[/snapback] I'm curious, what was the interesting perspective? Was it the part about weighing their options or the part about not being surprised? Neither of those seem to be interesting or unusual perspectives because everyone in the world who understands the franchise tag assumed the Bills would use it on Clements and there is not much he could do right now but weigh his options. Was there some other angle or statement that I'm missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 I'm curious, what was the interesting perspective? Was it the part about weighing their options or the part about not being surprised? Neither of those seem to be interesting or unusual perspectives because everyone in the world who understands the franchise tag assumed the Bills would use it on Clements and there is not much he could do right now but weigh his options. Was there some other angle or statement that I'm missing? 609453[/snapback] More about weighing their options. What exactly are the options? A.) Playing for the tag B.) Signing a long term deal Since they haven't reached a long term agreement and Nate has stated that he wants to be the highest paid cornerback in the league, it is option: C.) Holding out for a long term deal and / or requesting a trade In the previous posts no one had mentioned the fact that Clements might hold out Sure a lot of this is posturing by the agent but the weighing our options was interesting and I am assuming that option is a possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eSJayDee Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I think that it is ridiculous for people to think Nate should be "happy" to get $5.8 million for playing this year, you are way off base. If Nate does get to play the FA market he would be paid with a $10-15 signing bonus. I don't blame him from wanting to be paid what the market will bear. Let me clarify my point of view w/ some #s. Using Champ Baileys contract as a basis (let's momentarily ignore whether or not NC is worth that sort of $). I saw #s indicating CB's contract was 7 yrs, $63m, $18 SB. W/o the SB his contract avgs $6.43m/yr. One can assume that the later yrs are for higher salary, so apart from the SB, he'll be playing for perhaps $5m/yr. NC will be making more than that but will have to wait for that SB. Looked at another way, assume CB never sees the last 2 yrs of his contract which let's assume pay him $10m/yr (which might even be conservative). So he's playing for $8.6m/yr avg. Again, NC won't be making that much, but it's not like he's obscenely off. Basically all he would have a right to be bummed/upset about is that he's not getting that nice bonus check upfront having to perhaps wait a year for it (or make an even better salary the following year). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 More about weighing their options. What exactly are the options?A.) Playing for the tag B.) Signing a long term deal Since they haven't reached a long term agreement and Nate has stated that he wants to be the highest paid cornerback in the league, it is option: C.) Holding out for a long term deal and / or requesting a trade In the previous posts no one had mentioned the fact that Clements might hold out Sure a lot of this is posturing by the agent but the weighing our options was interesting and I am assuming that option is a possibility. 609457[/snapback] Thanks for the clarification. I guess I always assumed that a trade was possible so I never thought about the fact that this wasn't an obvious option. I wouldn't mind seeing another Peerless Price style trade but would be just as happy to see Nate stay in Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfladave Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Let me clarify my point of view w/ some #s.Using Champ Baileys contract as a basis (let's momentarily ignore whether or not NC is worth that sort of $). I saw #s indicating CB's contract was 7 yrs, $63m, $18 SB. W/o the SB his contract avgs $6.43m/yr. One can assume that the later yrs are for higher salary, so apart from the SB, he'll be playing for perhaps $5m/yr. NC will be making more than that but will have to wait for that SB. Looked at another way, assume CB never sees the last 2 yrs of his contract which let's assume pay him $10m/yr (which might even be conservative). So he's playing for $8.6m/yr avg. Again, NC won't be making that much, but it's not like he's obscenely off. Basically all he would have a right to be bummed/upset about is that he's not getting that nice bonus check upfront having to perhaps wait a year for it (or make an even better salary the following year). 609462[/snapback] I wasn't referring to your post when I mentioned this. In fact I think your post made a lot of sense. If Nate were to stay on with the Bills for the next few years under the franchise tag, he would in all likelihood make more than if signed a long term deal. BUT, because these contracts are not guaranteed the only thing a player knows he is getting for sure is upfront money. Thus if Nate were to get seriously hurt this year, a very real concern, under the tag he would stand to lose out on a significant amount of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Judging from what we know about Nate and his attitude already, he is not above holding out and demanding to be traded to a different team if he doesn't get what he wants. 609365[/snapback] I read a summary of what someone said that Nate said, and then I read a recap from one of the news outlets. They painted a much different picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scraps Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 More about weighing their options. What exactly are the options?A.) Playing for the tag B.) Signing a long term deal Since they haven't reached a long term agreement and Nate has stated that he wants to be the highest paid cornerback in the league, it is option: C.) Holding out for a long term deal and / or requesting a trade In the previous posts no one had mentioned the fact that Clements might hold out Sure a lot of this is posturing by the agent but the weighing our options was interesting and I am assuming that option is a possibility. 609457[/snapback] I think you're giving far to much weight to Clements posturing. He holds a weak hand. He can't force the Bills to do anything. Sitting out would probably adversely affect his ability to negotiate a lucrative contract with any team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 Thanks for the clarification. I guess I always assumed that a trade was possible so I never thought about the fact that this wasn't an obvious option. I wouldn't mind seeing another Peerless Price style trade but would be just as happy to see Nate stay in Buffalo. 609471[/snapback] I am with you on that one. He has so much talent but at times I wonder how he can make so many mistakes. I'd like to see him work out a long term deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 I think you're giving far to much weight to Clements posturing. He holds a weak hand. He can't force the Bills to do anything. Sitting out would probably adversely affect his ability to negotiate a lucrative contract with any team. 609486[/snapback] I am not so sure. Lets take the Giants, for example, who are in need of a cornerback and were rumored to be in the market for Nate if we hadn't franchised him. While it is true that the longer he stays out of camp his chances of being traded / signed by another team diminish, I do not think they would hold that against him. If they feel that he is worth a $15MM signing bonus and a $6M per year contract they won't think he is worth less for holding out. So lets look at this. The Giants give you the 25th pick in the draft for Nate. To you refuse it, take it, or ask for more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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