Seahawks’ Avril: “I’ve been blessed to see both ends of the spectrum”
Jan 27, 2015, 9:08 AM | Updated: 9:20 am
Defensive end Cliff Avril has a chance to win his second Super Bowl in as many seasons with Seattle. (AP)
(AP)
BY
Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor
PHOENIX – A reporter was halfway through a question about Cliff Avril’s rookie season in Detroit when the Seahawks defensive end jumped in.
“Oh, do bring that up,” he joked.
Well, in order to realize the full scope of Avril’s seven-year career you have to consider how it began – with a winless season in 2008 – and compare that to where it is now.
“I’ve been blessed to see both ends of the spectrum, not winning any games to pretty much getting to the top the last two years,” Avril said. “So I appreciate it a lot just for the simple fact (of) what I’ve gone through. I appreciate just being able to get to the top and be the No. 1, the last team standing. So I appreciate it probably a little more than some of the younger guys.”
The Lions made only one playoff appearance – losing in the wild-card round – during Avril’s five seasons in Detroit. He reportedly turned down a three-year, $30 million with the Lions, played out the 2012 season on the franchise tag then signed with Seattle in 2013, initially on a two-year, $13 million deal then a four-year, $28.5 million extension earlier this season.
You could look at Avril’s decision to reject the Lions’ offer and come to the conclusion that he gambled on himself and lost considering that he’s making less per year in Seattle than what he would have in Detroit. That’s only part of the equation, though. What Avril got by signing with the Seahawks was a market-value deal, one Super Bowl ring and a chance to win another.
“Some people, when I was with the Lions, were raising their eyebrow like, ‘Why wouldn’t you do it?’ or whatever,” he said. “But at the time I felt like it was the right decision and it’s worked out.”
