but still pretty damn big for a guy who has only played in one pro bowl
49ers position-by-position: Defensive backs
excerpt:
Nate Clements has been to one Pro Bowl in his six-year career, and is considered a pretty good cornerback who has played in the obscurity of Buffalo. (I originally wrote Clements has never played in a Pro Bowl, and that was wrong. He played in the February 2005 game.) The 49ers spent big money to sign him, though not nearly as big as the reported eight-year, $80 million contract. The deal is actually seven years for $64 million - still not chump change.
Clements is expected to be the team's top cornerback. He'll line up on the left side. On occasion, he might even shadow the opponent's top receiver for the entire game. Clements has good size and speed. He's a physical corner who can help in run support. He made a strong impression during the offseason program with his work ethic and personality. Clements already seems to be one of the team's more popular players.