Sep

9

Player Spotlight: Nate Clements

Posted by sf49ers

September 9, 2007 |

Here is a profile on the newest super-star, Nate Clements, added to the 49ers ever growing defense:

Nate Clements

CAREER: Big, fast playmaker who is known for his resiliency…Durable defender who never missed a game in six seasons with the Buffalo Bills…Routinely matched up against the best receivers in the AFC East…Voted to 2005 Pro Bowl as AFC representative and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2006…Also voted a member of ESPN.com 2004 NFL All-Pro Team…Recorded 23 interceptions in six seasons with the Bills…Became the first player in Bills history to lead the team in interceptions for four consecutive years posting three in 2001, six in ’02, three in ’03, and six in ’04…Started 91 straight games at right cornerback position since assuming the starting job five games into rookie season…Sits atop the Bills all-time list with seven career touchdown returns (five interceptions, two punt returns) and is tied for second on team’s all-time list with five interception return touchdowns.

TRANSACTIONS: Originally a first round (21st pick overall) draft choice by Buffalo in 2001…Signed by San Francisco as an unrestricted free agent on March 2, 2007.

COLLEGE:
• Played in 36 games and started 24 in three seasons at Ohio State before entering the draft after his junior campaign.
• Excelled not only as a defensive back but as a return man.
• Finished with 177 career tackles, including a very impressive 154 solo stops while intercepting seven passes and deflecting 22 others.
• Also gained 695 yards on 58 punt returns (12.0 avg.), including a touchdown.
• Was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice in 2000.
• Majored in general studies.

PERSONAL:
• Born Nathan D. Clements (12-12-79) in Shaker Heights, OH.
• Was a USA Today, Blue Chip Illustrated and Super Prep All-America selection at Shaker Heights (OH) High School where he was also an all-state selection.
• Had 14 interceptions throughout high school career.
• During senior season, picked off seven passes, returning one for a touchdown and had 14 passes defensed. Also scored twice on kickoff returns.
• Also competed at quarterback, throwing 16 touchdown passes.
• Became first player inducted into high school’s Hall of Fame.

CLEMENTS’ CAREER HIGHS
Total Tackles — 13 vs. New England (12-11-05)
Solo — 10 (two times) Last vs. New England (12-11-05)
Assists — 5 (three times) Last vs. Miami (10-9-05)
Passes Defensed — 4 vs. Cincinnati (12-29-02)
Interceptions — 3 at Miami (10-20-02)
Interception Yards — 58t at New York Jets (12-10-06)
Long Interception Returns — 58t at New York Jets (12-10-06)
Interception Returns for Touchdowns — 1 (five times) Last at New York Jets (12-10-06)
Sacks — 1 vs. New England (12-16-01)
Forced Fumbles — 2 (two times) Last vs. Pittsburgh (1-2-05)
Fumble Recoveries — 1 (five times) Last at Houston (11-19-06)

NFL HONORS:
AFC Defensive Player of the Week — 2002 (Week 7)
Played in Pro Bowl — 2005, 2006
Sports Illustrated NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — 2001
Football News All-Rookie Team — 2001

CLEMENTS’ NFL STATISTICS:

DEFENSE

YEAR

TEAM

GP

GS

TACKLES

SOLO

ASST

SACKS

YDS

INT

YDS

LG

TD

PD

FF

FR

YDS

2001

BUF

16

11

80

63

17

1.0

1.0

3

48

48t

1

12

3

0

0

2002

BUF

16

16

72

50

22

0.0

0.0

6

82

42

1

14

0

0

0

2003

BUF

16

16

78

60

18

0.0

0.0

3

54

54t

1

5

0

1

0

2004

BUF

16

16

87

65

22

0.5

0.0

6

77

35

1

11

4

1

0

2005

BUF

16

16

127

88

39

0.0

0.0

2

0

0

0

7

3

1

0

2006

BUF

16

16

79

59

19

0.0

0.0

3

80

58t

1

22

2

2

18

NFL

TOTALS

96

91

523

385

137

1.5

1.0

23

341

58t

5

71

12

5

18

Source: 49ers.com


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Joe on September 11, 2007 8:50 am

    Great informative post. Clements was already important to the Niners last night…

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