Pride Of Detroit - Cliff Avril leaves Lions, signs with SeahawksA Detroit Lions blog by Lions fans, for Lions fans.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51601/pod-fav.png2013-03-26T15:37:36-04:00http://www.prideofdetroit.com/rss/stream/38472152013-03-26T15:37:36-04:002013-03-26T15:37:36-04:00Cliff Avril talks about leaving Lions for Seahawks
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<p>Defensive end Cliff Avril didn't feel a lot of love from the Detroit Lions when free agency opened and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.</p> <p>A year ago, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> put the franchise tag on defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> when the two sides were unable to work out a long-term deal. At the time, the Lions were hoping to eventually get Avril a new deal, but it seems their mindset changed during the season. When free agency arrived this year, there was no real sense of urgency to get Avril a new deal, and it turns out he didn't even receive an offer from the Lions to return. From the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013303160045">Free Press</a>:</p>
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<p>"I just didn't get that vibe," he said. "Like I said, there wasn't really an offer, there wasn't much communication. I kind of took the hint. I <i>thought </i>it was a hint. We just couldn't make anything happen."</p>
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<p>Avril ended up signing with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> on a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/cliff-avril/">two-year deal worth $13 million</a> (not $15 million, as originally reported). This is a significant step down from the three-year offer worth $30 million from the Lions last year that he turned down, but he says he doesn't have any regrets over what happened.</p>
<p>I'm sure the Lions also don't have any regrets over what happened given that they didn't make much of an effort to re-sign Avril this year. General manager Martin Mayhew felt that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/03/detroit_lions_gm_martin_mayhew_27.html">it would have cost the Lions two players</a> to bring Avril back this year, and clearly they wanted to use their resources elsewhere.</p>
<p>What's really interesting is that when Avril did officially depart, he only heard from one person in the Lions organization. From <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/mike-freeman/21952251/cliff-avril-on-lions-seahawks-and-free-agency">CBS Sports</a>:</p>
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<p>"I will always cherish my time in Detroit," Avril said. "There are great fans in Detroit. I respect the Lions. My d-line coach (Kris Kocurek) reached out to me. He and I have always been cool. He was very nice and complimentary."</p>
<p>Avril explained Kocurek was the only person in Lions management who contacted him. Not head coach Jim Schwartz, or general manager Martin Mayhew, or defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham. "No Schwartz, no Gunn, no Mayhew," Avril explained.</p>
<p>"None of those guys. Kind of surprising. It is what it is."</p>
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<p>According to the story, Avril wasn't complaining, but it definitely doesn't sound like there was much love between him and the Lions when he did depart. I suppose that's the nature of the business when a team and player both make it known that it's time to move on.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/26/4149878/cliff-avril-lions-seahawksSean Yuille2013-03-14T22:05:49-04:002013-03-14T22:05:49-04:00Details on new contracts for Avril, Cherilus
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<p>A look at what ex-Detroit Lions players Cliff Avril and Gosder Cherilus will be making with their new teams.</p> <p>Free agents <span>Cliff Avril</span> and <span>Gosder Cherilus</span> were pretty much a given to depart the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> this year. Avril, who was believed to be one of the top free agents on the open market, was expected to cash in with a big deal from another team, and Cherilus was expected to leave and get a pay day as well. Both players did end up leaving, but the deals they got were a bit of a surprise.</p>
<p>Avril's deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> came as a shock because <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/espn_nfcnblog/status/311998669446578178">it's only for two years and $15 million</a>. Avril was hoping for a long-term deal worth a lot more than $7.5 million per year, but clearly the market didn't develop as he had hoped.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that a year ago, Avril turned down an offer from the Lions worth a reported $30 million over three years. He played on the franchise tag and made $10.6 million in 2012, so if you add that to his new two-year deal, he's set to make $25.6 million over a three-year span. That's $4.6 million less than the deal he turned down from the Lions, so his gamble didn't really pay off from a financial standpoint.</p>
<p>Cherilus <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/team/1363135291-906-301/gosder-cherilus-contract-numbers-with.html">ended up getting</a> an astounding $34 million over five years from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>. I'm not totally surprised that a team was willing to give Cherilus that much, but $6.8 million per year is a lot for a right tackle with knee issues. Cherilus did play extremely well in 2012, but with his general inconsistency over the years, I figured he'd be a bit more affordable for whatever team landed him.</p>
<h4>More:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-free-agency">Follow all of the Lions' free agency news</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/10/4084044/detroit-lions-free-agency-tracker-2013">2013 Detroit Lions free agency tracker</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/14/4103496/lions-free-agency-recap-day-2">Recap of the Lions' crazy Wednesday</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/14/4105040/jeff-backus-retires-detroit-lions">Jeff Backus retires from NFL after 12 seasons</a></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/14/4104560/cliff-avril-gosder-cherilus-contractSean Yuille2013-03-13T19:50:32-04:002013-03-13T19:50:32-04:00Cliff Avril agrees to deal with Seahawks
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Former Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks.</p> <p>Through the first 24 hours of NFL free agency, things had been awfully quiet on the <span>Cliff Avril</span> front. Considered by many to be the top player in this year's class of free agents, it was a bit strange that there hadn't really been any activity involving Avril. No visits, no rumors of contract offers, nothing.</p>
<p>On Wednesday night, activity picked up in a big way. As first reported by <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/311979960434827264">NFL Network's Albert Breer</a>, Avril has agreed to terms on deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>. Originally it was reported that Avril was merely visiting the Seahawks, but it turns out <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/311981023216926720">he is actually flying to Seattle</a> to sign his new deal.</p>
<p>It will be very, very interesting to see what kind of deal Avril ended up getting. Considering how little movement there seemed to be involving Avril initially, the thinking was that the market for him wasn't as big as he had originally hoped. Really the Seahawks were the only team even connected to Avril after the start of free agency, although I suppose that doesn't necessarily mean the deal will for sure be less than expected.</p>
<p>In any case, Avril is now off the market, meaning he officially won't be back with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>. This was the expectation all along, and it turns out that the Lions and Seahawks ended up swapping defensive ends. Seattle got Avril and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4099188/jason-jones-detroit-lions-free-agency">Detroit got Jason Jones</a>.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b>Here are the details on Avril's deal with Seattle:</p>
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<p>Updating: Per @<a href="https://twitter.com/adamschefter">adamschefter</a>, Cliff Avril's deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Seahawks">#Seahawks</a> is for $15 million over twoyears. Gets another chance at FA when he's 28.</p>
— Kevin Seifert (@espn_nfcnblog) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_nfcnblog/status/311998669446578178">March 14, 2013</a>
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<p>Considering he turned down a supposed three-year, $30 million deal from the Lions last year, $15 million over two years has to be a disappointment for Avril.</p>
<h4>More:</h4>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-free-agency">Follow all of the Lions' free agency news</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/10/4084044/detroit-lions-free-agency-tracker-2013">2013 Detroit Lions free agency tracker</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4098598/reggie-bush-lions-free-agency">Lions agree to four-year deal with Reggie Bush</a></p>
<p>• <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4099970/glover-quin-detroit-lions-free-agency">Lions agree to five-year deal with Glover Quin</a></p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/13/4101212/cliff-avril-free-agency-seahawks-lionsSean Yuille2013-03-09T12:46:42-05:002013-03-09T12:46:42-05:00Avril, Delmas drawing interest from multiple teams
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Detroit Lions free agents Cliff Avril and Louis Delmas are reportedly receiving interest from multiple teams.</p> <p>Defensive tackle <span>Sammie Hill</span> isn't the only <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> free agent <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/9/4082084/lions-free-agency-sammie-hill">drawing interest from multiple teams</a>. According to MLive's Anwar Richardson, defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> and safety <span>Louis Delmas</span> are receiving interest from several teams as well.</p>
<p>Avril is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/03/detroit_lions_de_cliff_avril_h.html">drawing interest from at least four teams</a>, to be exact. Richardson reports that it's not clear if the Lions are currently pursuing Avril, but it probably doesn't matter at this point. Avril is regarded as one of the top free agents in all of the NFL this year, and he is expected to get a pretty big payday as a result.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/9/4083174/cliff-avril-free-agency-detroit-lions">Follow the news on Cliff Avril</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/9/4083216/louis-delmas-free-agency-detroit-lions">The latest on Louis Delmas</a>
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<p>Delmas' situation is a bit more interesting. He reportedly has <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/9/4081964/louis-delmas-contract-detroit-lions">already received a contract offer</a> from the Lions, but he is deciding to look at his other options. According to Richardson, Delmas' <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/03/louis_delmas_has_interest_from.html">other options are looking pretty good</a>, as he has "the high interest of several NFL teams." If Delmas receives a better offer than what the Lions have put on the table, it's possible he could end up signing elsewhere.</p>
<p>Defensive end and safety are at the top of the Lions' list of needs this offseason. Even if both Avril and Delmas were re-signed, this would remain the case. If both end up elsewhere, the Lions will be in need of even more help at these two positions.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/9/4083204/lions-free-agency-cliff-avril-louis-delmasSean Yuille2013-03-06T15:45:28-05:002013-03-06T15:45:28-05:00Browns to pursue Cliff Avril, according to report
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<p>The Cleveland Browns are reportedly going to pursue defensive end Cliff Avril in free agency.</p> <p>Free agency hasn't even started yet and already word is leaking out about a potential suitor for defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span>. According to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/03/cleveland_browns_avril_kruger.html">Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> are planning to pursue Avril when free agency opens. The Browns also reportedly plan on pursuing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> linebacker <span>Paul Kruger</span>.</p>
<p>As pointed out by Cabot, the Browns have a connection to Avril via defensive line coach Joe Cullen. He was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>' defensive line coach when Avril was drafted, and Avril had 5.0 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in his rookie season.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/6/4071114/cliff-avril-detroit-lions-free-agency">Lions have had 'minimal' talks with Cliff Avril</a>
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<p>In Cleveland, Avril could potentially play 3-4 outside linebacker. That was Avril's position coming out of Purdue, but the Lions drafted him as a defensive end. The pick turned out to be a good one, as Avril has recorded 39.5 sacks since entering the league.</p>
<p>This piece of news is merely the first real sign that Avril will be a hot commodity on the open market when free agency begins. The Lions <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/6/4071114/cliff-avril-detroit-lions-free-agency">haven't had many talks with him</a> this year about a new deal, and chances are he will depart for a new team in the next couple weeks.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/6/4072162/cliff-avril-free-agency-browns-lionsSean Yuille2013-03-06T11:28:28-05:002013-03-06T11:28:28-05:00Lions have had 'minimal' talks with Cliff Avril
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<p>It doesn't sound like there's any chance of the Detroit Lions working out a deal with defensive end Cliff Avril before free agency begins.</p> <p>Defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> is set to become a free agent next Tuesday. Starting Saturday, his agent can start making contact with other teams to set up visits and begin negotiations. Avril was hoping to get this opportunity a year ago after not getting a long-term deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, but the team decided to franchise him, keeping him around for the 2012 season.</p>
<p>This year, the Lions passed on using the franchise tag, and negotiations on a long-term deal don't seem to be going anywhere. The Free Press' Dave Birkett <a target="_blank" href="http://www.freep.com/article/20130305/SPORTS01/303050100/1049/sports01?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitLions+%28freep.com+%7C+Detroit+Lions%29">caught up with Avril earlier this week</a>, and Avril said that contact between the two sides has been "minimal." In other words, an agreement to keep Avril in Detroit isn't close, and he is almost certainly going to become a free agent next week. Here's more from the Free Press:</p>
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<p>"(This week will) give me a good idea of what's going on, if I'll be here or if I'll be gone," Avril said. "This week will definitely gauge that, I guess."</p>
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<p>The feeling all along has been that Avril will hit free agency and get a deal elsewhere worth more than the Lions are willing to pay. Avril is considered one of the top pass rushers in this year's class of free agents, and unless the market sets a much different price than expected, I can't see the Lions re-signing him.</p>
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/3/6/4071114/cliff-avril-detroit-lions-free-agencySean Yuille2013-02-18T17:35:39-05:002013-02-18T17:35:39-05:00Cliff Avril ranked as third-best NFL free agent
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<p>Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril is third in the NFL in CBS Sports' free agent rankings.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> have a lot of players set to hit free agency this offseason, and a few of them could command pretty nice contracts on the open market. The most notable free agent is defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span>. He played on the franchise tag last year after <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/2/17/3995970/cliff-avril-contract-detroit-lions">turning down a deal from the Lions</a> worth a reported $30 million over three years. Now, he will have a chance to potentially cash in on becoming a free agent.</p>
<p>While there are some doubts about Avril actually getting a big contract because of his play last season, the general consensus seems to be that he is among the top free agents this year. Just look at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/transactions/free-agents">CBS Sports' free agent rankings</a>. They have Avril ranked as the top available defensive player and the third-best free agent in all of the NFL (behind only <span>Joe Flacco</span> and <span>Ryan Clady</span>).</p>
<p>Avril isn't the only Lions player who made the top 100 on CBS Sports. Offensive tackle <span>Gosder Cherilus</span> is 28th in the rankings, and just behind him is cornerback <span>Chris Houston</span> at No. 34. Defensive end <span>Lawrence Jackson</span> also made the list down at No. 78.</p>
<p>Obviously CBS Sports' rankings are far from the only opinion on free agency. <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8944209/2013-nfl-free-agency-joe-flacco-leads-list-top-50-free-agents">Pro Football Focus (on ESPN)</a>, for example, has Avril all the way down at No. 23 on its list of free agents for this year. Cherilus is 41st in PFF's rankings, and no other Lions player is in the top 50.</p>
<p>The other caveat is that the only free agent rankings that will ultimately matter are those of NFL teams. If some team out there thinks of Avril as one of the best free agents, then he will likely be paid as such. If not, then the Lions may actually have a chance to re-sign him.</p>
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https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/2/18/4002096/nfl-free-agent-rankings-2013Sean Yuille2013-02-17T09:00:07-05:002013-02-17T09:00:07-05:00Avril explains why he rejected offer last year
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<p>Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril turned down an offer worth a reported $30 million last year because he felt he was worth more money.</p> <p>Last year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2012/7/16/3163517/cliff-avril-contract-lions">reportedly offered</a> defensive end <span>Cliff Avril</span> a three-year deal worth $30 million ($20 million guaranteed). That seemed like a pretty good offer all things considered, but Avril rejected the deal, instead opting to take his chances on the franchise tag, which was worth $10.6 million for the 2012 season.</p>
<p>Why exactly did Avril turn down the Lions' $30 million offer? He said during an interview with SiriusXM NFL radio on Friday that he felt he was worth more money based on the kinds of deals other defensive ends were getting. From <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2013/02/cliff_avril_explains_why_he_tu.html">MLive</a>:</p>
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<p>"Last year, going into it, I felt like with all the deals made around me, that wasn't significant enough for what they were trying to offer me," Avril said. "I didn't think that was the right deal to take, so I just played the (franchise) tag. Here we are again. Hopefully, we can figure something out and get my worth."</p>
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<p>Avril also said that he would love to get a <span>Mario Williams</span> type of deal this year, although I think even he is aware that something that big is unlikely. In any case, this helps explain why the Lions and Avril haven't been able to agree to a deal. Avril thinks he is worth more than the Lions are willing to offer, and just like last year, this will probably result in the two sides not being able to work something out. The main difference this year is that Avril isn't likely going to be franchised, so he will probably end up signing with another team.</p>
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https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2013/2/17/3995970/cliff-avril-contract-detroit-lionsSean Yuille