Detroit Lions DE Cliff Avril Reports to First Day of Training Camp
The Detroit Lions caught a huge break this weekend when DE Cliff Avril decided to sign his franchise tender and effectively ended his holdout. He made his debut on Monday, but will not be in pads until Wednesday. The last thing that Detroit needed was for Avril to holdout even longer and start missing games.
The Lions play their first game of the NFL preseason on Friday against the Cleveland Browns. It is not as of yet if Avril will play, but conventional wisdom would tell you that he is not going to play.
Detroit has already alluded to the fact that Avril will probably not play this Friday, but it is almost a given that the team would like to see him participate in the teams second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Avril had been seeking a long term deal, which influenced his eight day hiatus from training camp. Detroit will pay the one year franchise tag to Avril worth $10.6 million. If the team decides to franchise him next year that figure could jump to $12.7 million. His 11 sacks from the 2011 season were huge for the team and the Lions will need a repeat performance this season.
There is no word yet or specifics on whether or not the team and Avril are closer to a long term deal. It just looks as though both parties are happy to be back on the field.
Buy Detroit Lions Tickets | Buy Detroit Lions Apparel
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!