Breaking: Seattle Seahawks Add DE Cliff Avril

Reports coming in now that former Detroit Lion DE Cliff Avril has agreed to terms for a contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Terms of the contract are not know yet, and likely wont be known until tomorrow. He’s actually got to get here and sign the contract and then it’ll be submitted to the league office first.

Avril was thought to be asking for about $8M/yr, which would actually be fair market value for a player of his quality. He was the best edge rusher available in free agency this year. Avril played last season as Detroit’s “franchise player.”

Avril is a great pass rusher, but offers little against the run. (thought he’s better than Bruce Irvin that regard.) Great speed, and technique. He rushed from both sides in Detroit and did so successfully.

I have to wonder what this means for Chris Clemons. Avril will almost certainly take over as the Leo, and Clemons has an $8.16M cap number of 2013. Clemons is recovering from ACL reconstruction, and is unlikely to play in the first half of 2013.

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril (92) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports