Nate

Clements

The Bills will start negotiations with Clements this week, but it’s unlikely a deal will be done before the season if he’s stuck on beating Champ Bailey’s contract. This is the final year of his rookie contract.

Clements took a helmet to his arm while making a tackle. He stayed down for a couple of minutes, but was able to walk off under his own power while shaking his arm. Clements returned to the game in the second half.

The two possess similar skill sets, and Clements’ $5.5 million cap number is working against him. If the Bengals believe they can get the same from cheaper veteran Terence Newman, Clements could be shown the door before camp. Clements’ 2012 salary is $4.3M. He’s also owed a $200K reporting bonus.

It’s the final season on the two-year, $10.5 million deal Clements signed last July, so the Bengals wouldn’t experience signing bonus acceleration should they choose to release him. Though Clements tackled efficiently in his first year with Cincinnati, his coverage skills are no longer up to par at age 32. A move to free safety could be a consideration with incumbent starter Reggie Nelson set for free agency and SS Chris Crocker fading fast.

It’s an ill-timed injury for a player who could be on the chopping block, though it’s unlikely anything Clements did in OTAs was going to affect his status. If the Bengals elect to keep Clements and his $5.5 million cap number, he should be ready for June’s minicamp.

Clements sat out May OTAs with the ailment and now he’s watching training camp from the sidelines. Still, it’s possible the Bengals are just playing it safe after first-round CB Dre Kirkpatrick went down with a knee injury earlier this week. “With these type of injuries you have to take your time,” Clements said. “It can keep lingering on and that is not one of those things we want to rush.”

Clements “split” his snaps between cornerback and safety, seeing action with the first-team defense at both spots. Reggie Nelson is locked in at free safety, so the Bengals appear to be giving Clements a long look as a strong safety upgrade on Taylor Mays. Either way, Cincinnati’s secondary looks like a major liability at this point. Three of the four spots are potential problem areas.

Clements was limited to individual drills on Monday, but it’s still good news for a banged-up Bengals secondary. Clements might sit out Cincinnati’s first preseason game, but should see plenty of exhibition action.

Clements saw some early-camp reps at safety, an idea that might have been more viable had first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick not injured his knee. Reedy expects Clements to bookend RCB Leon Hall, with Taylor Mays at strong safety opposite Reggie Nelson. The Bengals are going to need big-time pass rush to cover up their secondary flaws. Offenses should be able to throw on this unit.

Clements started at safety in Sunday’s win over the Redskins. This was his first game at safety after 161 starts at corner. More importantly, it highlighted the Bengals struggles at safety this season. Taylor Mays and Jeromy Miles haven’t been particularly effective, so the Bengals could turn to Chris Crocker on Sunday. Crocker resumed practice this week after being sidelined for the last eight months.