Can't forget about free agent Chris Clemons

The ' 2007 sack leader -- well, one of them -- is about to become a free agent. This may be the first time you've heard his name this offseason, though.Chris Clemons, a 26-year-old defensive end in his first year with the Raiders, racked up eight sacks with only two starts last season. Clemons' career-high total tied veteran Derrick Burgess for highest on the team. Outside of the pair of ends, the nearest to that total was defensive tackle Gerard Warren with just four.Clemons joins big names such as CB Nnamdi Asomugha, RB Justin Fargas, DE Tommy Kelly, WR Jerry Porter, QB Josh McCown and C Jeremy Newberry in the list of available Raiders players this offseason.Outside of 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
Fargas and Asomugha, however, one could make a case that Clemons was perhaps the most productive of that list. He'd likely be the cheapest to retain, also, and is a very low-risk, high-reward player.Last year was the first in Clemons' four-year career where he suited up for all 16 games in a campaign. The former undrafted free agent from Georgia started his career in Washington, where he took part in 16 games from 2003-05. With the Redskins, the 6-foot-3 defender registered just 16 tackles, but he did manage five sacks and two batted down balls in very limited time.In 2007, Clemons very quietly -- but hastily -- emerged as one of the team's best pass rushers. The 240-pounder recorded three tackles and a sack in an opening-day loss to the Detroit Lions, kicking off what would later become a career season. Clemons didn't take down another quarterback until Week 7, but he managed to do so six more times in the final 10 weeks of the season. In his lone two starts, he recorded three tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble."He's been great," nearly fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan told the Oakland Tribune in late November. "That guy works his butt off. Nobody knew who he was when he (came) here. Now, he jumps out at you. He's a dominant, hard-working guy. Pound for pound, there are not many tougher than him."Throughout his short NFL career, Clemons has been a player who has caught coaches' eyes in the middle of -- not before -- the season.Of his 13 career sacks, 11 have come after the midway point in the season and nine have come in Week 10 or later. In 2004, he wasn't active until Week 12 and two years ago he had just two tackles heading into Week 8.When Clemons first heard the news that Oakland was interested in his services, he knew he'd be surrounded by plenty of quick, young playmakers. That didn't discourage him, though."Once I saw the way the defense played, I was like, 'I want to be a part of that.' I knew there was a lot of Jets 6 Sanchez Jersey
speed on this defense."With fellow lineman Tommy Kelly also entering free agency and recovering from a season-ending ACL injury and veteran defensive tackle Warren Sapp retiring, the Raiders are certainly in no position to be carefree regarding their front four.Clemons may not be a big-name free agent with eye-popping career numbers, but he would likely come fairly cheap and has shown he can make a difference when given the opportunity.Coming off a rather impressive season, this may also be the one time in Clemons' career he isn't overlooked by the majority of clubs in the NFL.With some effort and common sense, the Raiders can make sure he stays and continues to grow in Oakland, and they should.