Editing Nate Clements (section)

===Buffalo Bills===
The [[Buffalo Bills]] selected Clements in the first round (21st overall) of the [[2001 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2001/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Clements was the first cornerback drafted in 2001.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bills Use 12 Picks To Fill Holes On Depth Chart |url=http://www.billsdaily.com/draft/2001/analysis.html |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=BillsDaily.com |author=Saslow, Steve |date=April 23, 2001}}</ref>

====2001====
On July 27, 2001, the Buffalo Bills signed Clements to a five-year, $6.70 million [[contract]] that includes $3.17 million guaranteed.<ref name="spotrac">{{cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Nate Clements contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/nate-clements-3370/ |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former Ohio State Cornerback signs with Buffalo Bills |url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/073001aaa.html |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=ohiostatebuckeyes.com |date=July 30, 2001}}</ref>

Throughout training camp, Clements competed to be a starting cornerback against [[Lance Brown]], [[Ken Irvin]], and [[Jimmy Williams (cornerback, born 1979)|Jimmy Williams]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Time to make an impression |url=http://buffalonews.com/2001/08/25/time-to-make-an-impression/ |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=BuffaloNews.com |author=Wilson, Allen |date=August 26, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Feel-good football under the lights |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/Article/Feel-good-football-under-the-lights-104027224 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=247sports.com |date=June 30, 2001}}</ref> Head coach [[Gregg Williams]] named Clements the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind [[Antoine Winfield Sr.|Antoine Winfield]] and Ken Irvin.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Football Database: Buffalo Bills Roster (2001) |url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2001 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=FootballDB.com}}</ref> He was also named the starting kick returner to begin his rookie season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Nate Clements (2014) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClemNa99/gamelog/2001/ |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]/}}</ref>

He made his professional regular season debut in the [[2001 Buffalo Bills|Buffalo Bills']] season-opener against the [[2001 New Orleans Saints|New Orleans Saints]] and recorded one solo tackle in their 24–6 loss. On September 23, 2001, Clements made one tackle, deflected a pass, and returned his first career interception for a touchdown during their 42–26 loss at the [[2001 Indianapolis Colts|Indianapolis Colts]]. He intercepted a pass by quarterback [[Peyton Manning]] and returned it for a 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter to mark the first score of his career.<ref name="49ers.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/Nate-Clements/e9de3ddd-7b8d-4869-bd13-ba23a8f300aa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806012531/http://www.49ers.com/team/roster/nate-clements/e9de3ddd-7b8d-4869-bd13-ba23a8f300aa/ |archive-date=August 6, 2009 |title=San Francisco 49ers: Nate Clements}}</ref> On October 18, 2001, Clements earned his first career start after he surpassed Ken Irvin on the depth chart. He recorded three solo tackles and broke up a pass in the Bills' 13–10 win at the [[2001 Jacksonville Jaguars|Jacksonville Jaguars]] in Week 5. In Week 8, Clements collected three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and returned a punt for a 66-yard touchdown during the second quarter of a 30–24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Week 8-2001: Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111040buf.htm |access-date=June 5, 2018 | website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 14, he collected three combined tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback [[Tom Brady]] during a 12–9 loss at the [[2001 New England Patriots|New England Patriots]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots- November 11, 2001 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111110nwe.htm |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> On December 23, 2001, Clements collected a season-high 11 solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by [[Michael Vick]] in the Bills' 33–30 loss at the [[2001 Atlanta Falcons|Atlanta Falcons]] in Week 15.<ref name="stats1">{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (2001) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/gamelogs?season=2001 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He completed his rookie season in 2001 with 63 combined tackles (53 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, a sack, and a touchdown in 16 games and 11 starts. He also had 30 kick returns for 628-yards and four punt returns for 81-yards and a touchdown.<ref name="career">{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (career) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/careerstats |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>

====2002====
Defensive coordinator [[Jerry Gray]] chose to retain Clements and Antoine Winfield as the starting cornerbacks in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Football Database: Buffalo Bills Roster (2002) |url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2002?sort=pos |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=footballdb.com}}</ref> On October 20, 2002, he recorded four solo tackles, four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a touchdown during a 20–13 victory at the [[2002 Miami Dolphins|Miami Dolphins]] in Week 7. He intercepted three passes by quarterback [[Ray Lucas]] and returned an interception by Lucas for a 29-yard touchdown in the second quarter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins - October 20, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200210200mia.htm |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 12, Clements collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) and broke up a pass in the Bills' 31–13 loss at the [[2002 New York Jets|New York Jets]]. On December 29, 2002, Clements had a season-high five pass deflections, nine combined tackles, and an interception during a 27–9 win against the [[2002 Cincinnati Bengals|Cincinnati Bengals]] in Week 17.<ref name="stats2">{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (2002) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/gamelogs?season=2002 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Clements finished his second season with 65 combined tackles (52 solo), 13 pass deflections, a career-high six interceptions, and a touchdown 16 games and 16 starts.<ref name="career"/>

====2003====
Head coach [[Gregg Williams]] retained Clements and [[Antoine Winfield Sr.|Antoine Winfield]] as the starting cornerback tandem in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Football Database: Buffalo Bills Roster (2003) |url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2003?sort=pos |access-date=June 5, 2018| website=footballdb.com}}</ref> On September 21, 2003, Clements recorded four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 17–7 loss at the [[2003 Miami Dolphins|Miami Dolphins]] in Week 3. He made both interceptions off pass attempts by [[Jay Fiedler]] and returned one for a 54-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins - September 21, 2003 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200309210mia.htm |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 5, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles and a pass deflection in the Bills' 22–16 victory against the [[2003 Cincinnati Bengals|Cincinnati Bengals]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (2003) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/gamelogs?season=2003 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He finished the [[2003 NFL season|2003 season]] with a total of 61 combined tackles (51 solo), four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.<ref name="career"/> He also returned 14 punts for 137 yards in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Nate Clements (2003) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClemNa99/gamelog/2003/ |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

====2004====
The Buffalo Bills chose not to renew Gregg Williams after finishing with a 6–10 record and not qualifying for the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Buffalo Bills' new head coach [[Mike Mularkey]] retained Clements as a starting cornerback to begin the season, along with newly acquired free agent [[Troy Vincent]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Football Database: Buffalo Bills roster (2004) |url=https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/buffalo-bills/roster/2004?sort=pos |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=footballdb.com}}</ref> In Week 2, Clements collected a season-high seven solo tackles during a 13–10 loss at the [[2004 Oakland Raiders|Oakland Raiders]]. On October 31, 2004, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles and was credited with half a tackle in a 38–14 victory against the [[2004 Arizona Cardinals|Arizona Cardinals]]. On November 21, 2004, Clements recorded five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and returned a punt for a touchdown for the first time in his career during a 37–17 victory against the [[2004 St. Louis Rams|St. Louis Rams]]. He returned a punt by [[Sean Landeta]] for an 85-yard touchdown in the third quarter.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills - November 21, 2004 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200411210buf.htm |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=pro-football-referebcs.com}}</ref> In Week 17, he recorded five solo tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception by rookie quarterback [[Ben Roethlisberger]] for a 30-yard touchdown in the Bills' 29–24 loss to the [[2004 Pittsburgh Steelers|Pittsburgh Steelers]]. The touchdown extended his streak to four consecutive seasons with a [[Pick 6 (American football)|pick six]]. He completed the [[2005 NFL season|2004 season]] with 73 combined tackles (53 solo), seven pass deflections, a career-high six interceptions, a touchdown, and was credited with half a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.<ref name="career"/> Clements also had 35 punt returns for 327-yards and a touchdown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pro Football Reference: Nate Clements (2004) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClemNa99/gamelog/2004/ |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

On January 28, 2005, Clements was named as a late replacement to the [[2005 Pro Bowl]]. He replaced [[Kansas City Chiefs|Kansas City Chiefs']] cornerback [[Patrick Surtain]] who was himself replacing [[Baltimore Ravens|Baltimore Ravens']] [[Chris McAlister]]. Both players were unavailable to play due to injuries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nate Clements joins Pro Bowl |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/Article/Nate-Clements-Joins-Pro-Bowl-104170459 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=247sports.com |date=January 28, 2005}}</ref>

====2005====
Head coach Mike Mularkey retained Clements as a starting cornerback in 2005, along with Terrence McGee. On November 20, 2005, Clements collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 48–10 loss at the [[2005 San Diego Chargers|San Diego Chargers]] in Week 11. In Week 14, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (nine solo), deflected a pass, and made an interception in the Bills' 35–7 loss to the [[2005 New England Patriots|New England Patriots]].<ref>{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (2005) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/gamelogs?season=2005 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He completed the [[2005 NFL season|2005 season]] with 99 combined tackles (78 solo), 13 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.<ref name="career"/>

====2006====
On January 13, 2006, Buffalo Bills' head coach [[Mike Mularkey]] unexpectedly resigned from his role after a 5–11 campaign in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mularkey resigns as Bills' head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2289987 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |author=Pasquerelli, Len |date=January 13, 2006}}</ref>
On February 22, 2006, the Buffalo Bills' general manager [[Marv Levy]] announced that the Bills would apply their franchise tag to Clements for the 2006 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bills slap corner Clements with franchise tag |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2339805 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |date=February 22, 2006}}</ref> On May 7, 2006, Clements signed a one-year, $7.20 million tender to remain with the Buffalo Bills.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clements deal includes downside for Bills |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2435562 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=ESPN.com |author=Pasquerelli, Len |date=May 6, 2006}}</ref> The Buffalo Bills' new head coach, [[Dick Jauron]], officially named Clements the No. 1 starting cornerback entering the regular season, alongside [[Terrence McGee]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 Team Report: Buffalo Bills |url=http://www.footballguys.com/06teamreport-buf.php |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=footballguys.com |date=September 3, 2006 |archive-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621043141/http://www.footballguys.com/06teamreport-buf.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 5, 2006, Clements collected a season-high nine combined tackles and deflected a pass during a 24–10 win against the [[2006 Green Bay Packers|Green Bay Packers]].<ref name="stats6"/> In Week 11, he made four combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and an interception during a 24–21 win at the [[2006 Houston Texans|Houston Texans]].<ref name="stats6"/> In Week 14, Clements collected five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception for a 58-yard touchdown in the Bills' 31–13 win at the [[2006 New York Jets|New York Jets]] in Week 14.<ref name="stats6">{{cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Nate Clements (2006) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/nateclements/2504744/gamelogs?season=2006 |access-date=June 5, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He finished the season with 70 combined tackles (54 solo), a career-high 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.<ref name="career"/>