Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril has managed 9.5 total sacks in the 2013 season while splitting time with Chris Clemons. In the team’s next game, Avril knows it’ll be a challenge to add to that number.
Though not mobile nor elusive, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning avoids sacks by making quick decisions and getting rid of the ball. And Avril recalls how hard it is to get to Manning, from Avril’s second career start in 2008, when Avril played for the Lions and Manning played for the Colts.
“I remember getting close to him quite a few times actually,” Avril said in a recent visit to Pro Football Talk on NBCSN. “I hit him two, three times and it’s like, ‘How’s this ball still getting out?’ It was crazy. You know, Peyton Manning back then, when I was playing him, it was all about timing, everything’s timing with him. And it’s still the same, so you just can’t have any wasted motion as a pass rusher trying to get to him.”
Avril will get another shot at Manning as he finishes his first season with the Seahawks. If Avril has his way, there will be plenty more beyond the second and final year of his current contract.
“I definitely don’t want to go into free agency again,” Avril said. “But, you know, we’ll see how it goes, how it works out, but I would definitely love to be out here. It’s a great place to be, the stadium is amazing, team is good. I would love to be out here.”
The Seahawks surely would love to keep Avril around, especially with Michael Bennett due to become a free agent and Chris Clemons possibly inching toward being cut, given his $9.6 million cap number in 2014.