Excellent point. This is a good faith move. The anti-TD move. Instead of treating players like business commodities, pawns to be moved around, instead he is saying "We understand what you want. I will compromise and meet you half way - you sign, and you will be free to sign with us or some other team next year."
The Buffalo News article compares this to the Shaun Alexander move, where they franchised him but told him that they would not be franchising him next year, so he comes out and is motivated to have a good year.
This is the type of move a winning TEAM organization makes. I like it.
Five years of Peerless Price-type moves only get you so far, huh? How bout time to consider a more old fashioned, respectful way of dealing with players.
By the way, there is some incentive for clements to re-sign - the Bills showed him good faith. If he truly gets the team concept, he re-ups his contract with us. If he does not, he leaves, and good riddance.
But one extra draft pick is not worth the animosity generated among the players for franchising NC year-in year-out.