Lions should keep him if they can.

Overvalued
1. Cliff Avril, Defensive End

Avril’s play this season should be a case study on the importance of sacks. Avril had 10 sacks. That’s more than Brian Robison, Michael Bennett, and Derrick Morgan. Avril’s Pass Rushing Productivity, on the other hand, was a mediocre 7.4, the 29th-best mark among 4-3 ends. If he was average in run defense he would have had some good value given his 708 snaps. He was well below average, however, with the fourth-worst run defense grade and the fourth-worst Run Stop Percentage among 4-3 ends. Avril still has value as a spot pass rusher, but he has had only one season with a positive run defense grade in his career (2009).

Cap Hit: $10.6m
Performance Based Value: $947k
Value Differential: -$9.7m

Caveat emptor!!!!!!!

Remember LeCharles Bentley and Gary Baxter…the only thing that happens to free agents in Cleveland is their knees get blown out and they get major staph infections.

Remember BEREA= Staph infection city.

Lions fans whining that an OLB with 11 sacks is not a run stopper. Go figure! Lions have about 1/3 of their salary cap tied up in 3-4 DL who can’t stop the run – but they think it’s the pass rushing linebacker’s fault. Avril is a top FA because a guy who can pressure the passer is one of the most valuable defensive commodities in today’s NFL.

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I find it quite comical when people open there mouth about something like they’re very knowledgeable in that area; then prove that they’re clueless and don’t know jack about the situation. The Lions do not run the 3-4. The Lions run the 4-3 and as a wide alignment referred to as the Wide-9. Cliff Avril is the DE in the Wide-9 not a Rush LB, as you’ve illustrated. They also employ the 3-3-5 set which is a Nickle set that consist of 3 down lineman, 3 linebackers and 5 in the secondary.

Lions fans whining that an OLB with 11 sacks is not a run stopper. Go figure! Lions have about 1/3 of their sal cap tied up in 3-4 DL who can’t stop the run – but they think it’s the pass rushing linebacker’s fault. Avril is a top FA because a guy who can pressure the passer is one of the most valuable defensive commodities in today’s NFL.
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Can you read or did you dictate your comment to someone? Avril played DE in a wide 9 scheme for the Lions. He was a pass rusher only and does poorly against the run. He benefited greatly by playing on the same line as Fairley and Suh who was double-teamed on most plays.

You got Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers in their division who just give sacks to any D-Line. It makes numbers like Avril’s look pretty, and these previous posts are right on. He’s not a game changer and benefits off double teams from Sue. We would much rather pay for a good safety.

if he was such a good pass rusher, the lions would have signed him to a long-term deal, but he dreams of a mario williams contract which he isn’t worth and hopes there is 1 “Sucker” Team that will wayyyy overpay for him.