St. Louis Rams Free Agent Options: Cliff Avril

by papapegasus on Feb 10, 2012 12:12 PM CST

Cliff Avril, a defensive end with the Detroit Lions is perhaps one of the most underrated Free Agents out there. As a standout for the Lions for the past four years, Cliff has recorded 30 sacks. His 6’3" 252 lbs frame is certainly stout enough to handle the role of a rushing or coverage linebacker. The Purdue product had a great college career, starting in 35 contests out of 49, 12 of those starts coming in at strong-side linebacker

One could make the case, and Avril has said himself, that he would be willing to play outside linebacker. He was the top performer at the combine in the 3-cone drill, which measures a player’s burst and ability to switch directions quickly. He also was a top performer in the vertical leap. Can anyone say batted passes? Cliff Avril entered the league the same year our own Chris Long came aboard, and he out performed him. In Cliff’s rookie year he tied for the rookie lead of 5 sacks, following on with 5.5, 8.5, and 11 sacks in 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively. He has also been a solid tackler on a defense dominated by Suh, with 23, 41, 33, and 36 tackle from 2008-2011.

His health is another high point having only missed 6 games over 4 years. Avril comes from a team who plays indoors, and he excels there, with 26 of his 36 tackles coming under a dome in 2011. Another awesome stat is that Avril has managed to lock up offenses where it counts, on 3rd and 4th down. In 2011 Avril had 26 tackles on 3rd and 4th downs, 12 of them solo, along with 4 of his sacks on those downs.

Poll

Could Cliff Avril come in and play outside linebacker and occasional edge rusher for the Rams?

Let's snag him!

422 votes

No thanks.

53 votes

We need to address other positions in free agency.

162 votes

637 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 2 recs |

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Comments

While he would be an intriguing option...

…I’d bet he signs someplace that lets him rush the passer full-time, either as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 OLB (ala Terrell Suggs). He may have said he’d be willing to be an OLB, but rushing the QB is where the big money is. If he doesn’t know that, you can guarantee his agent will remind him of it.

While I agree we need to fix the OLB spot, I think for the money he’s going to want, we’d be better off looking somewhere else.

by mikemcd41 on Feb 10, 2012 11:12 AM CST reply actions

Our OLB suck

very disappointing. Those two FA devaney signed last year never worked out. had to bring back Chris Chamber. Time to draft some unruly crazy OLB. Anyone from the SEC in the 5th 6th rounds.

by fearsomefoursum on Feb 10, 2012 12:15 PM CST reply actions

Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

Sam linebacker in the NFL, give him a look

by jgillentine7 on Feb 10, 2012 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

ty

6 1 240 too small for inside, I think he is playing IBL in college. good size and speed for outside. any SEC LB is a good LB. I like

by fearsomefoursum on Feb 10, 2012 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

No, he wouldn't help us at OLB like we need

We already have a great rotation of pass rushers, limited cap space so no.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

by Brick Top on Feb 10, 2012 12:17 PM CST reply actions

Interesting thought about Avril moving to OLB? Great Post!

Si hoc signum legere potes, operis boni in rebus Latinus alacribus et fructuosis potiri potes!
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by Douglas M on Feb 10, 2012 12:24 PM CST reply actions

The lions aren’t resigning this guy??? I’m shocked!!!! I’d say pick him up asap… He’d be a great addition to the team if his price tag isn’t too high.

by RamsIchor on Feb 10, 2012 12:37 PM CST reply actions

Next year..

From everything I’ve read so far, the Rams won’t have the money to sign any of these ‘premium FAs’ this year. Draft wisely this year then use the 30 million or so in cap space to raid the FA market next year….patience, grasshoppers.

by howie43 on Feb 10, 2012 12:51 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Just wait...

Once Jeff starts cutting off the dead weight cough Jason Smith cough… We’ll have TONS of cap space this year. So start smiling at the possibilities, it’s gonna be EPIC! :D

by RamsIchor on Feb 10, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

I think Chamberlain can be decent....

…given more time to learn the ins and outs of this new defense. Put Avril on the other side with JL in the middle. I’d take it. The Saints did ok with Dunbar, Shanle, and Herring with Williams as the Dcoordinator. I’d say a trio of Avril, JL55, Chamberlain would be an upgrade from that

by thatsfaulkedup98 on Feb 10, 2012 12:52 PM CST reply actions

speaking of which..All you Chamberlain naysayers

Have you even looked at his numbers from last year. The guy put up 81 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT and he didn’t even start the whole year. Imagine a full year of Chris at OLB with other upgrades around him

by thatsfaulkedup98 on Feb 10, 2012 12:55 PM CST reply actions

Chamberlain works for me..

But, you’ve got to beef up that other OLB spot, and throw in some tackling drills for the DBs. Wrap up low for craps sake…nothing chaps my ass more than seeing a tackler run up and try to give the ball carrier a ‘hug’ to bring him down. When you get stiff armed you look like a little bitch….wow, I feel better, been holding that in all season, thanks.

by howie43 on Feb 10, 2012 1:05 PM CST reply actions

HAHA!!!

I was at that game in SD…we got blown out, that was the year SD was 14-2

by LARams72 on Feb 10, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

great point Howie43

If your watching (playing) in the NFC west, you better have physical corners. Total points allowed in the NFC 2011…..SF #1 Sea#2 their corners play like junk yard dogs. Gee, what a concept. 1. Stuff the run, 2. make em pass 3. release your pass rushers

by fearsomefoursum on Feb 10, 2012 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

Very overrated player.

No way I’d want him on the Rams, the only reason he did reasonably well the last two years was because Suh was on the line to help occupy blockers and take the attention off him.

by TheSmart1 on Feb 10, 2012 1:17 PM CST reply actions