Nate Clements: The 49ers' Very Own Barry Zito

I hate to bring up the name Barry Zito in contract talks, because I know SF sports fans are tired of hearing it. I am also sorry to pin the 49ers' loss on one player, but I will.

49ers cornerback Nate Clements was given an eight-year, $80 million contract before the 2007 season, the largest contract given to a defender in history. In the last couple seasons he has had no impact on this football team, except for some games he may have lost, including Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Terrel Owens came back to haunt his former team with seven catches for 213 yards and a touchdown, accounting for over half of Dallas' yards. Nate Clements got burned over and over again by the 35-year-old receiver.

It all started at the beginning of a 22-point second quarter for the Cowboys, after momentum had shifted with their second goal-line stand. T.O. was unleashed for a 75-yard touchdown reception, despite illegal contact by Mr. Clements. 

Later in the quarter, Owens caught a 50-yard pass to set up a field goal. At the start of the second half he caught a 52-yard pass to set up a Cowboy touchdown. Clements accounted for over 150 of the Cowboys' 400 yards, with two of the three 50+ yard completions being his fault. The main low-lights of the game.

If Owens only had a 100-yard day (a great game), the 49ers would have most likely won. Clements was supposed to be the rock of the 49ers' strong secondary. Instead, he is the biggest dud in the crap-pile that the Niners like to call a secondary. The two-time pro bowl player has done nothing to earn his paycheck, and he is going to be a 49er for six more years.

If Clements can pull his act together, maybe the rest of the team can follow suit. The Giants are hoping the same thing might happen to Barry Zito and his ball club up in China Basin.