Coming off a season where he posted 11 quarterback sacks, Detroit Lions defensive end and potential unrestricted free agent Cliff Avril hopes to avoid the franchise tag, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. "I definitely don’t want to be franchised," Avril said on Wednesday. "I mean, I’ve been in Detroit for four years, and I wouldn’t mind being there for another couple more years or whatnot. "The franchise tag kind of makes it a yearly thing, and you want security. You want to know you’re going to be there for a couple years so your family can get comfortable." Avril, who won't turn 26 until April, earned $1.634 million on his three-year rookie contract and $2.611 million in base salary under a one-year restricted free agent tender in 2011. The 2012 franchise tag for defensive ends is projected to be worth nearly $11 million, which is less than a third of the guaranteed money that Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson received last July without any security beyond 2012. "Kind of getting positive vibes as far as for me being there again next year," Avril said of the Lions, who would have to clear considerable cap room to re-sign him. "Hopefully, we can meet in the middle and make it happen, because I’d definitely love to be there."
"I mean, I’ve been in Detroit for four years, and I wouldn’t mind being there for another couple more years or whatnot.
Ha, yeah that sounds genuine. Dude wants to get paid wherever it will be most, and I can't say I blame him with Detroit's dline depth, but a years pay at that rate? Shiiiiit..
Not true. Some players would live to be tagged because they'll make more than they normally would. Sure it's not long term, but to get twice what you are worth, some players might take that chance.
That's what I'm saying, it makes sense for this guy, probably. Although he wants a deal that's gonna pay him well yearly, that 11M is wayyy more than anyone is gonna give him