Former 49ers CB Nate Clements talks about facing former team as a Bengal

Former 49ers CB Nate Clements talks about facing former team as a Bengal
Cincinnati cornerback held a conference call with the Bay Area media on Wednesday morning and he took the opportunity to talk about what it means to face the San Francisco this Sunday.
Clements spent the past four seasons with the 49ers after signing a huge eight-year, $80 million contract with the team. But his performance on the field didn't match up to the value of the contract and during this offseason, the 49ers cut ties with him.
Here is the from the conference call as Clements prepares to face his former team.
Q: How is it going with having some former 49ers (LB Manny Lawson, S Taylor Mays) on the Bengals?
CLEMENTS: It's one of those things where it's a coincidence and it happened to work out that way.
Q: Did the Bengals talk to you about getting S Taylor Mays?
CLEMENTS: No. I didn't have anything to do with the front office decision. I think they're capable of what they're doing and I'm just focused on playing football.
Q: How soon did the Bengals get in contact with you after you left the 49ers?
CLEMENTS: I didn't really expect this to happen. I was fortunate enough that I didn't have to wait too long before for a call.
Q: Did it seem like the 49ers were planning to keep you?
CLEMENTS: At the time, my mindset was that I was a player still under contract. We would have had to talk contract issues. I was fine with it and I definitely wanted to -- but things turned out the way it did. Everything happens for a reason. You have to understand the nature of this game and continue to move forward.
Q: Did you ever have a chance to talk about restructuring your contract?
CLEMENTS: I don't want to get into details about that situation. All i know is that I had to do what's best for me and my family first and foremost.
Q: How do you look back at the time you spent with the 49ers?
CLEMENTS: Great. Great teammates, the fans are still showing me a lot of love out there. I definitely feel blessed for the opportunity, and fortunate enough to play for an organization with that much tradition.
Q: What do you miss from being here?
CLEMENTS: I miss my teammates. It was a big deal. I've been in the league a while, I've the same things a player had. I've kind of been prepared for anything. Anything I was prepared for.
Q: Are you playing the slot on third downs?
CLEMENTS: I do a little bit of everything.
Q: When you start studying the 49ers receivers, what's your impression of them?
CLEMENTS: My impression hasn't changed. They're a young, talented receiving core. They definitely have what it takes. They have potential stars in this league. They definitely have speed, talent, size. I had the chance to face those guys every day in practice. My perception does not change. It is what it is.
Q: Has the 49ers offensive philosophy changed since you were here?
CLEMENTS: It pretty much changed every year when I was there. Looking on film, you can definitely see a major difference. It's nothing like last year. The philosophy, the formation, it's just how they approach the plays, it's a major difference.
Q: What have you noticed that is different?
CLEMENTS: One thing that I've noticed is that they move guys around. It's a very versatile type of offensive philosophy. You just take different guys and have them run the same thing. It's very versatile, it can do a lot.
Q: Does it put more pressure on the defense?
CLEMENTS: I wouldn't say pressure, I would say you have to be focused and discipline on technique and we haven't played games with an offense like that.
Q: Did you notice any changes with Alex Smith?
CLEMENTS: I think Jim Harbaugh is doing an excellent job playing to Alex's strengths. He definitely has a higher completion percentage, which is key for a quarterback. He's definitely playing him to his strengths.
Q: What prevented the 49ers defense from being something special when you were here?
CLEMENTS: We definitely had the players, had the chemistry. I can't really pinpoint one thing. Things didn't pan out the way we wanted it to.
Q: Has your game throughout the years?
CLEMENTS: I just try to keep playing to my strengths.
Q: How has the staff talked to you about preparing for the 49ers?
CLEMENTS: I definitely tell my teammtes things to look out for and what guys are good at. Things of that nature.
Q: Is Vernon Davis one of them,Josh Freeman Jersey?
CLEMENTS: Vernon and pretty much all the players on what they can do and what they're capable of.
Q: What have you learned from watching the Seahawks and Cowboys on how they approached Davis?
CLEMENTS: I am not sure what they're game plan was,Mason Foster Jerseys. He's an explosive player. He's going to get a lot of tips, with balls thrown at him. You've just got to minimize or just fundamentally sound when you go up against a guy like that,Vincent Jackson Jerseys.
Q: Any resentment on how the 49ers handled the situation (with your contract)?
CLEMENTS: None at all.
Q: Did you circle the schedule when you signed with the Bengals?
CLEMENTS: I was just excited the situation was unique in a sense that we had the lockout. It was a unique season and just being able to play football and get out there every week, especially with the season opener, it was anxious and exciting to play every week.
Q: What does the Bengals defense offer?
CLEMENTS: I'm excited about our defense. We've got some talented players on that side of the ball. We're young, guys are hungry and you can just see that we're trying to be opportunistic in making plays in stripping, deflecting balls and trying to get interceptions.
Q: What happened with Donte Whitner and how he almost joined the Bengals?
CLEMENTS: I'm not sure. I'm not the one you should talk about that. You have to talk to management about that one.
Q: How is Manny Lawson?
CLEMENTS: He's doing great. He's making the adjustment to our system. He's glad to be back on the East Coast.
Q: How is his role different than what he had last year?
CLEMENTS: It's a different style of defense. It's 4-3 here and it's a 3-4 there. It's just a completely different style of defense.
Q: How much has Andy Dalton improved since camp?
CLEMENTS: He's getting better every day. And you can see that with guys that are young, in general, in the . The key is confidence. He continues to grow and get better and get more confidence. When you play with confidence, it's not a better feeling than playing with confidence, and you can be like 'Hey, I can make this throw, I can make this play.' It's good to see him progress every day, every practice.