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**RoyWilliams** · 08-03-2007, 10:16 AM

http://origin.mercurynews.com/49ers/...nclick_check=1

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The aggressiveness and intensity that 49ers cornerback Nate Clements brings to the field is evident even in training-camp practices.

Clements, signed to an eight-year, $80 million free-agent contract in March, seems to be in two places at once when he's covering receivers: in their ear and in their hip pocket.

His coverage is so tight, completions against Clements have been few and far between. And when he knocks down a pass or intercepts it, he lets everyone know with good-natured trash talk.

"I'm just going out there and having fun and competing," Clements said Wednesday. "I try to push my teammates, offense and defense. They're going to try to complete passes and run routes on me. I have to do my job and play tight coverage."

The 49ers are counting on Clements, a former Pro Bowl player with Buffalo, to strengthen a secondary that ranked 26th against the pass - one of the reasons the 49ers led the NFL in points allowed.

Clements' coverage ability will allow the 49ers to use him as a shut-down cornerback, matching him up against the opposition's top receiver.

"Any time you can take someone out of the game, it does allow you to double the other guy," Coach Mike Nolan said. "From a defensive standpoint, you can help somebody else someplace else that might need it."

Clements' willingness to mix it up in run support in addition to his fierce man-to-man coverage have impressed his teammates, linebacker Manny Lawson said.

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"He's one of the guys we all look up to. He's been there, done that, one of the league's premier corners," Lawson said. "Nate will come up and hit you in the mouth, but he's also the type who doesn't mind being out there on the island.

"He doesn't mind being out there with the game on the line and having to guard the premier receiver. He has a lot of confidence in himself and therefore gives a lot of confidence to the guys around him."

Clements said he has high expectations for himself, the defense and the team.

"As a player you set team goals and you set individual goals," he said. "The ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl. You ask anyone on any team. That's what we're here for, that's what I want to accomplish. Individually, it might be to lead the league in picks or go to the Pro Bowl. And as long as you're winning, it doesn't matter where you're at, you'll be recognized."

Running back Arkee Whitlock, a rookie free agent, worked out for the 49ers on Wednesday and was expected to sign today, provided he passes his physical.

Whitlock, 23, was released by the Minnesota Vikings, who signed him after the former Southern Illinois player went undrafted in April.

The 49ers need another running back just to help them get through training-camp practices. Frank Gore remains out after breaking his right hand, and Michael Robinson sat out Wednesday's session after going down in practice the day before with heat prostration.

First-year tackle Tavares Washington will be sidelined for about a week after spraining his left knee in a pileup during practice. He underwent an MRI exam that showed a strain of the medial collateral ligament.