APIn the weeks leading up to the start of free agency, former Lions defensive end Cliff Avril was so giddy about his prospects that he suggested he might get a contract comparable to the enormous deal that Mario Williams signed with the Bills last year.
That’s not happening.
In fact, it doesn’t look like much of anything is happening for Avril right now: Although he was widely regarded as one of the top free agents this year, and although there were reports before free agency started of several teams being interested, we’ve yet to hear a single report that any team has made Avril a solid offer.
That has to be disappointing for Avril. Although it’s still possible that some team will blow him away with a huge contract, usually when that happens, that huge contract is on the table within the first 24 hours of the start of free agency. That doesn’t appear to be the case for Avril.
One problem for Avril is that there’s a glut of defensive ends on the market: Teams don’t think they need to go hog wild for Avril when Michael Bennett, Osi Umenyiora, Dwight Freeney, John Abraham, Israel Idonije, Matt Shaughnessy and Lawrence Jackson are available, not to mention the fact that Elvis Dumervil is expected to get cut by the Broncos this week. If a defensive end is what you’re looking for, there are a lot of choices available.
Avril may end up making the most money of any of those defensive ends on the market. But he’s not going to be in the Mario Williams neighborhood.
UPDATE 7:36 p.m. ET: That was quick. Avril has agreed to a deal with the Seahawks. We’ll wait for the numbers to come out before we assess just how good a deal he got.
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detroit fans have been extremely bitter that avril balked at the lions offer last year of 3yr 30mil, im glad he turned it down cause he isnt worth 10mill a year! he should have taken it when he had the chance!
Cliff has just an average game. His skill set cannot match what the Eagles will bring this year to the league. Chip is unleashed!
Overrated.
Time is money
The 9ers need an end or 2 to backup Justin Smith. The problem is that they have to be 3-4 defensive ends, so more like tackles, and not 4-3 ends who are more like outside linebackers in the 3-4.
It’s a case-by-case thing, some 4-3 ends will need to be converted to outside backer in the 3-4 and some can still play end.
I bet you feel really smart turning down that 3 year/30 million dollar offer last year, don’t ya Cliff?
It’s a shame your head is bigger than your overall ability.
I think he is a bit overrated but if he is willing to accept a smaller deal, i think a team like Jacksonville might move in should his asking price come way down.
I know Avril is the better player, but his 2012 production numbers were basically identical to Willaim Hayes.
Detroit will welcome you back for $5MM a year.
Or maybe free agents from teams that went 4 and 12 and aren’t retained just aren’t as good as advertised.
I like him for the 3-4, thought the Browns and Colts did, too! But not so much, obviously.
Lower your expectations.
There’s the “glut” of free agent DEs on top of all the talent on the defensive line coming up in the draft as well. Teams can afford to be picky.
Kansas City and Seattle are waiting for Dumervil to hit the street. He will sign with one of those teams because they are being built to win multiple titles and have the bet organizations in place.
or teams realized that he’s only good because he had suh and fairly next to him
Seattle will gladly under pay you.
Maybe teams saw that most of his success was due to teams having to double team the guys in the middle of his line
flavordave says…..
are u the new logicalvoicesays? all yr post are the same, chip unleased? im sure that phrase scares no nfl team!!!
if he gets over 7 mill a year its a stretch
Not that much production from a DE with a solid DL alongside him, and with some holes in his game.
Being a Detroit Lion doesn’t help either.
There it is. Avril just agreed with Seattle per Albert Breer
He just agreed to terms with the future superbowl champ Seattle Seahawks.
according to NFL Network,avril is going to Seattle
He just signed with the Hawks.
He’s on a flight to Seattle
A vital cog of a 4-12 team. Get Real Cliff
Well, it’s better than any news that took place in Day 1.
Day 1 Free Agency is now the most overrated day of the year!
Day 2 and later are the better days because the sexy names sign during those times!
In 2012, Peyton Manning signed after Day 1.
Tim Tebow was traded to the Jets on Day 2.
Now Welker, the new Cards DB’s, and Reggie Bush have signed on Day 2. Just change the starting time of FA from 4 PM ET to 12 PM ET. Then NFL Network won’t act like it has time to kill while they count down to their version of “Happy New Year!”
Welcome to Seattle Mr. Avril.
Yeah TERRRIBLE news… he just signed with Seattle, he’ll really miss Detroit.
His best fit is probably… Detroit.
Collusion
northshorejag says: Mar 13, 2013 7:03 PM
Or maybe free agents from teams that went 4 and 12 and aren’t retained just aren’t as good as advertised.
——————
The Raiders went 4-12. That didn’t keep Bryant and Wheeler from getting paid early and well.
Add Marcus Spears to your list
Good News! He is going to Seattle…….
Go Hawks!
I don’t know what was worse, the Lions tagging him then offering 3yrs/30mm, or him turning that down. Then he says he’s basically looking for Mario Williams’ money when Mario didn’t deserve Mario money even though he’s orders of magnitude better than Avril at rushing the passer.
I kinda feel bad for the fellow. A little overrated – and his agent took a bad risk by turning down a *really* good offer by Mayhew last year.
This looks like a case where an agent makes a pretty big boo-boo that financially hurts a respectable player/person. Too bad the door is closed for him to come back. Or is it?
Oops. As I type this, Avril gets signed by the Seahawks. Man this is a FUN day!
Cliff signed with Seattle….
I’d be willing to bet a hefty sum that Jason Jones gets more sacks than Avril does in the coming season.
Thought I just read somewhere else that he signed with Seattle. No?
No news is good news for the Hawks… signing… love it!
i predict that seahawks will sign him to a 2 year deal.
btw i’am never wrong