With the Monday deadline for a long-term deal approaching, the Detroit Lions and defensive end Cliff Avril are still negotiating. That is the good news. The bad news is that it doesn't sound like the two sides are all that close to a deal. They have been talking for the better part of a year now on a long-term deal, and so far not enough progress has been made for there to be an agreement.
Based on a recent report from CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, it is going to take a lot of progress this weekend for a deal to come about.
The Lions and defensive lineman Cliff Avril have had plenty of dialogue but some philosophical differences about how he fits into their pay scale. It would take a major swing in those talks to foresee a deal as it stands right now.
The philosophical differences La Canfora is referring to likely revolve around Avril's long-term worth. The Lions and Avril just haven't been able to get the numbers on a deal figured out. Obviously, that's a pretty important aspect of a long-term agreement, so unless there's a major breakthrough in the coming days, it doesn't sound like a deal will be worked out between the two sides.
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