Cliff Avril Signs Franchise Tender, Ends Contract Holdout

Cliff Avril Signs Franchise Tender, Reports To Camp

After sitting out the first eight days of training camp, the Detroit Lions' Cliff Avril has signed a one-year franchise tender and will report to the team Sunday.

Avril's future as a Lion had been in question since last month, when the two sides failed to come to a deal by the July 16 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions. But based on Avril's latest tweet, he appears enthusiastic about re-joining the team.

"If ur heart is filled with faith then you can't fear"... back to work let's get it#WIN

— Cliff Avril (@cliffavril) August 5, 2012

As a result, Sunday's signing means that Avril gets a one-year deal reportedly worth $10.6 million. If the Lions fail to sign the defensive end to a new deal for the 2013 season, they can franchise him once again to a slightly higher contract, or sever ties and let him test the free-agent market.

A third-round draft selection by the Lions in 2008, Avril led the team last season with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.

If he improves those numbers, perhaps the Lions will have no choice but to think long term with Avril or watch as another team gives him an offer he can't refuse.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril, Lions Break Off Contract Negotiations

Cliff Avril and the Detroit Lions have broken off negotiations less than two hours until Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for franchise tagged players to sign long-term extensions with their respective teams. As a result, the defensive end will likely play the 2012 season for a guaranteed $10.6 million and become an unrestricted free agent once the season ends.

The original report comes from Albert Breer of NFL.com, who was told by a source that the rocky negotiations had finally ended at an impasse. Avril has said that he will play under the franchise tender, but prefers the security of a multi-year deal. He and the organization apparently never saw eye-to-eye, however, and on Saturday Avril admitted that he wasn't getting "a good vibe" that a deal would actually get done.

Avril set career-highs with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles last season. He was reportedly seeking a deal somewhere between Robert Mathis' four-year, $36 million deal and Calais Campbell's five-year, $55 million contracts. With a large contingent of players entering free agency after next season, Detroit was wary of committing too much money to Avril, however.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril 'Hopeful' But Not Certain Long-Term Deal Is Coming

Cliff Avril's struggle to get a new long-term contract from the Detroit Lions before a Monday deadline continues, and Avril is "hopeful" that a deal is in the works, but far from certain, he told the Detroit Free Press.

"I’m hopeful, but I don’t know," Avril told the Free Press. "I’m not getting a good vibe, let’s put it that way. But I’m hopeful."

The Lions slapped Avril, a defensive end who plays on the same line as consecutive first-round NFL Draft picks Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, with their franchise tag in April, giving them until 4 p.m. Monday to reach a new long-term deal or force Avril to play on a one-year contract worth $10.6 million. Avril has previously said that he will play on that tender without a long-term deal, but he and his agent have stated their preference for a longer commitment.

Avril started all 16 games and had 11 sacks for the Lions in 2011 and has notched 30 sacks in his four NFL seasons.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril, Lions Will 'Leave Dialogue Open'

The Detroit Lions placed their franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril, and now are attempting to sign him to a long-term contract before the July deadline, which forces Avril to play under the one-year tag in 2012. According to reports, the two sides are far apart in contract negotiations but the two sides are keeping dialogue open.

"We've had conversations and we continue to have dialogue," Lions president Tom Lewand told MLive.com. "We'll leave the dialogue open. I talked to (Avril's agent) Brian (Mackler) recently, and we have an ongoing dialogue. We've said all along, we'd like Cliff to be here. We've made some very substantial offers to him. We haven't been able to work a deal out."

Lewand also mentions that the team has other impending free agents to deal with next season and if the team has to allow Avril to play on the one-year deal that will pay him nearly $10 million, they'll be up for negotiating next offseason as well.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril, Lions Still Apart In Contract Talks, According To Report

The Detroit Lions hit defensive end Cliff Avril with the franchise tag this offseason, but Avril is looking for a big-time contract and the two sides are still far apart in contract talks according to a report by Albert Breer of NFL.com.

The Lions and Avril's people aren't near reaching a deal, either. In fact, the sides are separated by around $2 million per year on Avril's worth, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. The player's side is looking for something with a yearly average exceeding the $10.605 million attached to the tender, over four years, which would top $42 million, with more than half of it guaranteed. The Lions have made several offers. But nothing's close.

Avril has not signed his franchise tender yet, which would guarantee him a one-year salary of $10.605 million, but there is a point in which a long-term deal can no longer be reached. The Lions and Avril have until July 16 to work out a long-term contract. After that deadline, Avril must play under the one-year tender or not play at all, as the CBA dictates that the two sides can no longer engage in long-term contract negotiations.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril Hit With Franchise Tag; Lions Want Long-Term Deal

From the no-brainer department, the Detroit Lions used the franchise tag on Cliff Avril, which was expected. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news, and Avril will now be paid $10.6 million on a one-year contract for the 2012 season.

The two sides continue to negotiate on a long-term deal to keep Avril from going anywhere. They have until July 15 to come up with a deal or else Avril has to play the year on the franchise tender. Avril previously indicated he wouldn't be giving the Lions a hometown discount, so it will likely be expensive to keep him for an extended time.

Avril has shined on a defensive line full of stars. He was originally a third-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft and comes off his best year as a pro with 11 sacks. The Lions defensive line is scary, and keeping Avril should continue that. He's only 25 years old, so he could be just getting started.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril, Lions Continue Negotiating Before Franchise Tag Deadline

The Detroit Lions are in heavy negotiations with pending free agent defensive end Cliff Avril to come to terms on a new contract before the franchise deadline. The team was in negotiations for the majority of the day on Sunday with Avril's agent, according to a report by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

The Lions have been in talks w/Cliff Avril's agent about a new deal most of the day. Still talking, so might be able to get something done

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 5, 2012

Avril is coming off the best season of his young career with 11 sacks in 2011, improving his sack total in every season since he was drafted by the Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Lions hope to reach an agreement prior to the 4 p.m. ET franchise tag deadline on Monday.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril's Franchise Tag From Lions Is Coming Soon

The Detroit Lions were going to do everything they could to retain defensive end Cliff Avril for the 2012 season. Avril was set to become an unrestricted agent and was eager to test the waters of the open market. The Lions, for their part, were hoping to be able to work out a contract extension prior to Monday's deadline date for applying a franchise tag to a player. Now, it seems as though Avril will be tagged to keep him in Detroit for the next year.

Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times reported on Friday that unless a contract breakthrough occurs over the weekend, the Lions plan to place the franchise tag on Avril on Monday. The tag for Avril would carry with it a $10.6 million salary. The Lions would have the 2012 offseason to attempt to negotiate a contract extension with their star DE.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit or visit SB Nation Detroit.

Cliff Avril, Lions Will Continue Contract Talks; Franchise Tag Likely

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril was a big part of the dominant defense that powered the team to the playoffs in 2011. Avril is an impending free agent, so the team will have to make a decision on whether to affix the franchise tag to him if they are unable to work out a contract extension by the March 5 franchise tag deadline.

Avril previously said there is no such thing as a "hometown discount" in contract talks and seemed eager to test out the open market. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the two sides are expected to meet on Saturday and that no decision has been made regarding the franchise tag option.

[Lions GM, Martin] Mayhew said he hasn't taken offense to comments by Avril that he could hold out if the franchise tag is applied.

The tag guarantees Avril a one-year deal at premium salary of the top five defensive ends in the league, but restricts his movement on the open market.

"Whatever happens with Cliff, it's a business decision," Mayhew said. "If we were to franchise him and he were to hold out than that's a business decision that Cliff made, he thinks that's the best thing for him. I respect his ability to handle his business."

Mayhew said Avril's future and the Lions' ability to get deals done with some of their other free agents - starters Stephen Tulloch, Eric Wright and Jeff Backus will be unrestricted free agents without new deals by March 13 - does not hinge on working out a new deal with receiver Calvin Johnson.

The idea for the Lions is to get both Avril and Johnson back in the most cost-effective way for 2012. It remains to be seen whether that will include franchising Avril.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit.

Free Agent Cliff Avril: No 'Hometown Discounts' For Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions rode their terrific defense to a playoff spot in 2011, but the team is in danger of losing one of their key components to free agency before next season kicks off.

According to James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press, defensive end Cliff Avril appears to be eager to test the waters of free agency. Avril appeared on Sirius XM on Thursday and appears to be aware that he is considered one of the top men at his position who is slated to become a free agent this offseason.

I just want to be paid as one of the guys that's helping the team grow. I want to be there. We have a young D-line. But I know it's a business, and you only hit free agency once or twice in your career, so you definitely have to take advantage of it.

There's no such thing as a hometown discount in the NFL. Once you can't play anymore, they're going to let you go, so you definitely have to strike gold when you can.

Although Avril is being pragmatic regarding both his and the team's situation, he did comment that if it were a tiebreak situation, he would give the nod to Detroit.

That said, if they and another team present the same thing, I'd definitely stay with the Lions.

Lions fans will certainly be hoping that the team will be able to entice Avril to stay, but there is a very real chance that a team in need of a defensive boost has more cap room and more to offer during the offseason.

For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit.