While I still think Avril is a tad overrated, he’s not selfish for wanting 10+ mil a year. I hope he stays, but not for that money.

People that have been calling him selfish are being dramatic. While I hope we find a way to keep him around and may not be able to, his take on the hometown discount is 100% right. A team will never keep a player around for sentimental reasons and he’s not wrong to want the long-term security that he’s earned by being a progressively improving player that has been a great team guy. Actually, we should be happy that he so badly wants it to work out so that he stays in Detroit. I may be a little biased because he’s been one of my favorite players since he came here, but I think he is a valuable asset. Realistically, it may not be in the cards to keep him, and that bums me out, but if he goes I wish him the best of luck. Also, if he does, I think LoJack and Willie will provide some depth and we can pick up a developmental player circa 3rd round cough Tyrone Crawford! cough to be mentored by KVB in what could be his last year.

It’s easy to see just one side but I see both. We can’t over pay him and he doesn’t want to be franchised he wants security. Hoping something gets worked out in negotiations.

We will be just fine without you.

In fact, we will be better without you. We will have that money to pay other highly productive players. Instead of cutting several highly productive players just so you can get overpaid. No thanks.

Your new team is going to find out what we all know already. You are as much a product of our system and the talent around you than anything else. Let them have your albatross of a contract hanging over their neck, not ours.

Re-signing Avril would be no problem and everybody would be happy. I have a feeling similar negotiations are going to play out every year as long as the Lions have the big 3 of Stafford, Johnson, and Suh. We could very well be seeing the same thing with Delmas next year—young safety with great potential but is injury prone and wants more than we can afford to pay.

i don’t blame Cliff at all for getting paid, he deserves it and he’s earned it, but I don’t think he’s worth it for the Lions considering the scheme and other personnel they have, and I would be surprised to see them bring him back on a long term basis.

Thanks for posting it Sean I really debated on weather or not to share this article in a fanpost. It’s buisness as usual in the NFL Don’t hate the player hate the game.

Also and intresting read I found
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/four-downs/2012/four-downs-nfc-north

and yes it is whiny, crying and selfish!!!
The contract that the players and nfl both signed off on has articles of agreement that players may be franchised, so when players are franchised they should show up to work as agreed upon in the CBA. i believe that players need to get paid for their success as long as it falls within the standards set by the CBA i.e. salary caps etc., BUT a teams right to franchise a player is also included in the CBA and should be adhered to.

i just think its a bitch call, players can still negotiate their deals while franchised and the club has a right under the current CBA to franchise a player. I also feel that it will help push him into a long term deal, franchised players receive the calculated salary that everyone knows by now but receive no bonuses.
So if he is upset about being franchised don’t stomp off in a fit and refuse to report, show your worth what your asking, show you deserve the long term lucrative deal. The franchise tag makes you one of the highest paid players at your position for 1 year and during any part of that tenure a contract can be negotiated between the player and the team.
No player is required to accept the tenure of a franchise tag BUT no play, no pay and the current team still owns your rights, and signing bonuses can obviously be lost.