Niners Ink Clements...and More

The San Francisco 49ers signed the most coveted defensive players available this off season with an 8 year $80 million deal making Cornerback Nate Clements the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.

Mike Nolan signed Nate Clements from Buffalo on Friday beginning his quest to fulfill his promise to add depth and skill to a 49ers defense that ranked as one of the worst in the league. Not only did the 49ers sign Clements, they also signed Safety Michael Lewis from Philadelphia and Defensive Tackle Aubrayo Franklin.

Clements was hoping to sign a contract that was bigger than fellow Cornerback, Champ Bailey, who signed a 6 year $63 Million deal last season with Denver.

Clements said the 49ers "not only showed the most interest, but I felt that they were moving in the right direction...This is Year Seven for me, and I've never even had a taste of the playoffs," he said. "I'm a competitor by nature, and I just want to get a taste at that next level."

After 4 disappointing losing seasons, the 49ers now have been at the bottom long enough to accumulate $30 million in cap space that will allow them to sign free agents to help their young core of players get back to their winning ways.

"Free agency is about adding good players with character to our team," Nolan said. "I am confident that Nate and Michael will help make us better. Players have a choice in free agency. It is a compliment to our players and fans that Nate and Michael wanted to be with the 49ers."

The 49ers are hoping to build a strong and young 3-4 defense that will help keep their young offense in games. The niners defense last season gave up scores of 29, 31 and 41. Obviously there is work to be done, but it now seems that there is a plan in place and it is being executed.

Info from the Associated Press was Used in this Article

Turner Bolts For San Diego

Norv Turner has agreed with the San Diego Chargers to become their new head coach. Turner, who had his first season as the 49ers Offensive Coordinator, did a great job mentoring
Alex Smith and helped develop his game. The Chargers are hoping for the same kind of results with their young QB, Phillip Rivers.

Turner is inheriting one of the best teams and the best running back in the NFL. The Chargers finished last season with the best record in the NFL at 14-2, but were upset in the playoffs by the Patriots. Shortly after the season ended, many speculated that Marty Schottenheimer would be fired by the Chargers, but he was reassured by the owner that his job was safe and would be their coach for the 2007 Season. But in the off season, many of of Schottenheimer's assistant coaches left San Diego for head coaching positions on other teams. Schottenheimer already had a rough relationship with the General Manager, so the Chargers decided to clean house and to go in a completely different direction and fired Schottenheimer.

Norv Turner has had two other Head Coaching positions, six season with the Washington Redskins and one season as the Oakland Raiders Head Coach. He has compiled a 58-82-1 record as a head coach in the NFL, which is somewhat curious since he is taking over one of the best teams. If San Diego doesn't doesn't come close to making the Super Bowl in 2007, I can guarantee Turner's job will be in jeopardy.