The clock is ticking for the Lions and Cliff Avril to work out a long-term deal before Monday’s 4PM ET deadline or else Avril will have to play the 2012 season under a $10.6 million dollar franchise tag.
During an interview with NFL Radio on Tuesday, Avril seemed optimistic that the two sides would reach an agreement. However as the deadline looms the defensive end is starting to lose hope a long-term deal will be reached.
“I’m hopeful, but I don’t know,” Avril told the Detroit Free Press. “I’m not getting a good vibe, let’s put it that way.”
During this past week Avril has witnessed other franchised players come to terms on long-term deals. Friday New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received a five-year deal worth $100 million with $60 million guaranteed. And today Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch agreed to a four-year, $26.6 million deal with a little more than $17 million guaranteed.
It’s unclear at this point whether or not Avril will hold out if a deal can’t be reached but he has expressed that it’s a big risk to play under a one-year franchise tag.
Ref: Mlive.com, Detroit Free Press
