The Bills, who have opened talks with star cornerback Nate Clements about a contract extension, are in for some sticker shock.

"I'm the best," Clements said. "I don't settle for anything less than being the best, and that's in everything."

Clements made a very public statement about wanting to be made the highest-paid corner in the NFL by parading his agent, Todd France, through training camp recently. France represents six Bills but he was in Rochester, N.Y. for one reason only - to start the wheels turning on what he hopes is a deal that tops the one Champ Bailey received from Denver: seven years, $63 million with an $18 million signing bonus.

"Obviously, (Nate's) very confident in who he is, and we're very confident in who he is, and his stats and his playing ability speaks for itself," France said. "That's the mentality we're going to take, and that's the approach we're going to take."

Bills general manager Tom Donahoe did meet with France but the only thing agreed upon was that they would talk over the next three weeks about getting Clements in the fold beyond 2005. If nothing is struck, then both sides agreed the topic would not be revisited until after the regular season is over so that it doesn't become a distraction for either side.

"I think they probably have an idea of where they want to be and we have an idea of where we want to be," Donahoe said. "We'll see."

Given Donahoe's history of not overpaying for any player, dating back to his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's highly unlikely he'll pay Clements top dollar before the start of the regular season, or after that.

Donahoe let former Bills standout corner Antoine Winfield leave in free agency two years ago (he got a six-year deal from the Vikings worth about $35 million with an $11 million bonus). He let starting left tackle Jonas Jennings and star defensive tackle Pat Williams walk this past off-season.

Donahoe could franchise tag Clements, guaranteeing Clements an average of the top-five cornerback deals. But that's still big money and resolves nothing for the long term.

Today's top corners are being paid on par with quarterbacks, left tackles and pass-rushing defensive ends. Just last year, Baltimore's Chris McAlister, Kansas City's Patrick Surtain, Arizona's Antrell Rolle and Carolina's Ken Lucas inked deals that garnered signing bonus alone in the $13 million to $17 million range.

The Bills have a playoff caliber team to think about, with other free agents like London Fletcher and Sam Adams to retain. Furthermore, if star running back Willis McGahee has a big season, agent Drew Rosenhaus has indicated he'll be knocking around for a new deal on that front.

The bottom line is that Clements holds all of the cards. He knows that as a free agent, he'll land a big deal. He doesn't have to negotiate with the Bills, he's just giving them first dibs.

"He's been durable, he's been to the Pro Bowl, he's got all the stats to back it up, and he's a great player and a great person off the field," France said. "So we feel like we're in a good position.

"He'd like to stay in Buffalo, but it's got to be the right situation with the whole complete package for Nate and for the team as well," France added. "Right now, we're just really listening to what Buffalo has to say, and we'll go from there."

Clements, Buffalo's first-round pick in 2001 out of Ohio State, has been a starter and playmaker since day one.

In just four seasons, he has 18 interceptions, four which he has returned for touchdowns, and seven forced fumbles. He's equally sound against the pass and the run.

He's also a proven punt-return threat, returning two for scores. His six return touchdowns overall are a team career record.

CAMP CALENDAR
Evening practice Aug. 22; Camp breaks Aug. 23 at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y. The team relocates to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the remainder of the preseason.

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