Heading into his second NFL season, Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril is pretty upbeat about his prospects.
Especially for a player who was part of an 0-16 season last year.
Following a five-sack debut last year as a rookie, Avril is looking to build on that encouraging start, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
“Now, I know the defense a little better,” Avril said. ”I know what they want as far as technique.
“So, I’m a lot more confident, and I can actually go out there and play football and not be thinking about anything more than playing ball.”
Plus, Avril has prepared for this season by bulking up.
He’s now up to nearly 260 pounds, but emphasized that he has put on quality weight.
“I put the weight on the right way,” Avril said. “So, weight-wise, I gained a few pounds, and I’m definitely a little stronger. And I can tell it on the field, and I’m still moving pretty quick.”
For a Detroit franchise that’s getting a fresh start under new coach Jim Schwartz, Avril could wind up emerging as a key building block.
May the Schwartz be with you!
Your first sentence is a bit of a contradiction. Perhaps you should revise it.
So, you’re saying last season didn’t count if he’s still a rookie.
“Heading into his second NFL season, Detroit Lions rookie defensive end Cliff Avril is pretty upbeat about his prospects.”
Rookie in his 2nd season?
Jeez! I should HOPE the Lions like him!
I wanted the Pats to snag him last year. I they had, I doubt that there would be any OLB/pass-rush concern now.
He was one of very few bright spots on a rather dismal season (understatement of the year?). It was good to see a promising prospect like Cliff playing every week as the Lions workedthemselves into 28 point first quarter defecits each week.
if they dont stop the run, however, he will just get steamrolled over a full season.
23 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles as a rookie. Oh yea and he only started four games. I would go out on a limb and say he is pretty much already a key building block. He was the only thing on the defense last year that even resembled a bright spot for our team.
Avril is certainly a building block. He’s young, showed a lot of promise, and is a very small percentage of the cap hit.
The question is, do the Lions have another good draft and fill in around the building blocks before guys like Avril start demanding more cap space?
Will he make the pro bowl sometime soon? Probably not. But compared to a majority of the Lions draft selections of late, he smells like roses to me.