Thats one theory ... OR he was playing just as well as he is now except he wasnt doing all of the flashy stuff that gets the announcers/station to notice him, such as the huge hits and batdowns.
If you cared to pay attention at the games late last season and earlier this season, you would see that Clements has been blanketing his receiver every since he dominated Steve Smith last year. He just wasnt having those chances for huge hits and batdowns ... mainly because the QB's havent been throwing to his side since then. In fact I cant remember him giving up more than 1 TD total in the past 17-18 games. Can you?
Its tough to see how good a CB or S is doing unless your at the game, because the TV station and announcers are most likely going to be paying attention to the other, more high profile, players on the field.
Im sorry to break it too you and everyone else, but Clements has been as solid as a rock since week 11 or so last year and every game this year. It's not all about that huge INT or that bone-crushing hit. It is about being consistantly solid in covering your receiver and taking that WR out of the game. Clements is probably in the top 3 in the league in that category.