an eight-year, $80 million contract with $22 million guaranteed. The contract made him the highest paid defensive player in league history in 2007. Clements became part of a revamped secondary that finished 27th in passing yards the previous season. Head coach Mike Nolan officially named Clements the No. 1 starting cornerback to start the season, along with cornerback Walt Harris and safeties Michael Lewis and Mark Roman. In Week 2, Clements collected six solo tackles and sacked quarterback Marc Bulger in the 49ers' 17–16 win at the St. Louis Rams. On November 25, 2007, Clements collected a season-high ten combined tackles (eight solo) and a pass deflection during a 37–31 victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. On December 23, 2007, he recorded seven combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception during a 21–19 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Clements finished the season with 92 combined tackles (77 solo), 14 pass deflections, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts. 2008 Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky retained Clements and Walt Harris as the starting cornerbacks in 2008. On September 14, 2008, Clements collected a season-high seven solo tackles and deflected a pass in a 33–30 win at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. On October 19, 2008, he recorded five combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the 49ers' 29–17 loss to the New York Giants. Clements recovered the ball and returned it 74-yards for a touchdown in the third quarter after linebacker Manny Lawson blocked a field goal attempt by Giants' kicker John Carney. On October 21, 2008, the San Francisco 49ers fired head coach Mike Nolan after they fell to a 2–5 record. Assistant head coach/linebackers coach Mike Singletary was named the interim head coach for the remaining ten games. In Week 13, he collected six solo tackles during a 10–3 win at his former team, the Buffalo Bills. During the game, Clements injured his thumb and was inactive for the 49ers' Week 14 victory against the New York Jets. This became the first time in Clement's professional career that he was inactive. His injury ended his streaks of 119 consecutive game appearances and 115 consecutive starts. In Week 17, Clements tied his season-high of seven solo tackles and also deflected a pass in a 27–24 win at the Washington Redskins. Clements