Seahawks’ Cliff Avril aiming for his first Pro Bowl selection

Much like his never-modest pass-rushing cohort Bruce Irvin, Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril is aware of the importance of sacking the quarterback. But while Irvin is in a contract year, the 29-year-old has other personal goals in mind.

“Obviously everybody judges D-lineman or pass rushers off of one thing, which is sacks,” Avril said on 710 ESPN Seattle’s “The Huddle” Thursday. “If I can get the sacks to match the pressures and hits, and different things like that, then, hey, I had a Pro Bowl year.”

Avril, who signed a four-year, $28.5 million extension in December, has been a Pro Bowl snub in the past, including with the Lions in 2011 when he posted a career-high 11 sacks. Since joining the Seahawks in 2013, he’s notched 14 sacks, including one thus far in 2015.

Avril said he’s started fast this year, even if it’s not showing up on the most coveted stat line, but feels there “is definite room for improvement.” The eighth-year pro said he just needs to keep working to finish the QB pressures and hurries, because “that’s the way people gauge, unless you watch the game.”

“If you look at the stat sheet, you’re like, ‘Oh, OK, he had a couple tackles,” Avril said. “(Peers) know, but you know, the fans have a choosing in some of the stuff you want to accomplish as a player, from Pro Bowls and different things like that. So, you know, you’ve got to put those numbers up for them, too.”

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