Defensive lineman Cliff Avril finally decided to report to the Detroit Lions' training camp. He acts like he's giving the team, and their fans, a break by his mere presence. He's not. This guy is more overrated than pet rocks or cabbage patch dolls ever were, and his ego appears to rival that of Donald Trump. Let's look at reality.
During his short NFL career, Avril's been a decent lineman. Nothing spectacular, but serviceable. Last year he made about $2.6 million, and had 11 QB sacks, which led the team in that department. Yet when one considers a couple other factors, his 11 sacks aren't quite the eye-popping statistic some would make them out to be.
First, he was playing alongside a guy named Ndamukong Suh. Suh regularly drew "double teams" blocking him, which left Avril and the other linemen "one on one". Second, the NFL itself has turned "pass-happy" over the last few years. That means more chances to rush the QB and put him on the ground. Avril got there 11 times -- less than once a game. This is supposed to be impressive?
Evidently, in Avril's mind it was. When the season was over he wanted a long term mega-buck contract. The Lions balked, as well they should have. Avril stewed and went on a not so quiet campaign trying to sway the media and fans that he was as good as he thought he was. Negotiations reached an impasse.
Then, in a stunning development this last March, the Lions slapped the "franchise" tag on Avril. Cliff grumbled. He was not a happy camper.
It's hard to say which was worse. The Lions wasting the franchise tag on an average lineman, or that lineman being disappointed in getting it. The former sounds like something Matt Millen would have done. The latter more like an ego maniacal fool that is still ungrateful after he won the lotto.
With the franchise tag, Avril's salary was determined by the average of the 5 top salaries at his position. He's going to make about $10.6 million this year -- roughly 4 times what he made in 2011. Do you know anybody that would be unhappy with having their salary quadrupled after they put in an average year on the job? Not me.
Avril's certainly not amongst the top 5 defensive linemen in the NFL. He's probably not even in the top 30. There's likely other NFL teams around the league he couldn't even START for. But Avril's still unhappy. Alas, and boo hoo hoo. Let's all have a good cry over poor Cliffy's misfortune.
As mentioned at the top of this article, His Highness finally relented and lowered himself to report to training camp. You know -- like actually showing up on the job to earn one's pay? Imagine that.
His reasons for waiting until the eleventh hour to do such a thing don't hold water. Avril says he didn't want to risk injury. Hey, earth to Cliff. You're in the NFL. People get hurt all the time. It goes with the territory. If that's not acceptable, perhaps you should pursue another career. Take up chess, become a librarian, find a cure for cancer, or maybe try your hand at synchronized swimming. Even I'd pay big bucks to see your legs twirling around in the pool with the rest of the girls, but good luck earning that $10.6 M that was just handed to you on a silver platter.
But the real reason should be obvious. We've seen it so many times over the years with various other players around the NFL that think they're more important than they really are, and have done the same thing. While all their teammates, from the rookies, to the longer tenured veterans that are truly committed to the team, are out there busting their butts in the sweltering heat of "training camp", the prima donnas lay back and ease in at the last second, avoiding a lot of hard work while knowing their spot is secure. It's the same way with Avril since he got the franchise tag. He's "uncuttable" -- and he knows it.
But he's WAY overrated.
Especially in his own mind.
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