Cliff Avril on his contract: ‘It’s not like I’m making pennies’
By Mike Dyce
Defensive end Cliff Avril gambled when he turned down a three-year extension with the Detroit Lions worth $30 million. He was expecting an all out bidding war in free agency and thought he could get similar deal with a better team or even a better deal altogether.
He ended up signing a significantly smaller two-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth $13 million dollars. At a pre-Super Bowl press conference he said he had no regrets.
From Pro Football Talk:
"“It’s not like I’m making pennies,” Avril said. “Again, I can’t complain. I’m fortunate enough to be where I’m at right now. There’s definitely no bitterness.”Pressed by reporters if he was upset about playing the 2012 season in Detroit on the franchise tag, and then getting less than expected in 2013, Avril said he has no complaints.“No, it’s a business,” Avril said. “I’ve been saying that from years past. It’s a business. I understand it. It is what it is. It’s working out for me. I can’t complain. Once again, I’m here at the Super Bowl talking to you guys. I can’t complain at all.”"
Of course he is playing in a Super Bowl, so that has to feel better than making more money with the Lions and missing the playoffs.