FanPost

DE Cliff Avril to Get Late Franchise Tag?


Before the NFL locked out the players on March 13th, there were a flurry of franchise tags handed out around the league.

The Jets (LB David Harris), the Vikings ( LB Chad Greenway), Eagles (QB Michael Vick), Colts (QB Peyton Manning), Steelers (LB Lamar Woodley), Jaguars (TE Mercedes Lewis), Patriots (OG Logan Mankins), Chargers (WR Vincent Jackson), Ravens (DT Haloti Ngata), and Chiefs (LB Tamba Hali.

There were no Lions free agents slapped with the franchise tag. Is this a coincidence? A mistake?

I don’t think so. Martin Mayhew’s reluctance to franchise a free agent might be another masterstroke in what has been a three year virtuoso performance.

Here’s why.

We all suspected that unrestricted free agency could be moved from the sixth year of accrued service (or, slavery if you are Adrian Peterson) to four years of accrued service.

If early CBA leaks are correct, there will be unrestricted free agency in the fourth year. That makes DE Cliff Avril eligible for UFA. More importantly, the Lions can franchise Avril if they do so prior to July 23.

Saving the franchise tag on an educated guess that the Lions could lose Avril in free agency has once again proved the brilliance of Mayhew.

Now, the news isn’t all rosy. The Lions could lose DE Lawrence Jackson, and/or OG Corey Hilliard along with six year UFA CB Chris Houston.

Holding back on the use of the franchise until a new CBA is in place looks like the Lions did the right thing - again.

They seem to be making a habit out of doing the right thing.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.