Seattle Seahawks ~ Another defender gets... FOUR MORE YEARS! Seahawks retain another core defender by extending Cliff Avril seahawks One day after linebacker K.J. Wright signed a four-year contract extension, defensive end Cliff Avril did the same on Friday as the Seahawks have now locked up six core members of their No. 1-ranked defense. The success of the Seahawks’ No. 1-ranked defense is all about fits. And one individual who has fit in very well – as a player and a person – the past two seasons is defensive end Cliff Avril. The Seahawks made sure Avril will continue to be one of the cores to their success by signing him to a four-year contract extension on Friday. “I’m just happy to be in a situation where the team is as good as it is and to be a part of it and they want me to be a part of it,” Avril said. “I’m fortunate enough to get a deal done so I can continue to be a part of it.” Avril becomes the sixth core defensive player to sign an extension or new contract, joining linebacker K.J. Wright, who got a four-year extension on Thursday; defensive lineman Michael Bennett and the All-Pro duo of free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman, who were signed during the offseason; and All-Pro strong safety Kam Chancellor, who signed a four-year extension in 2013. “As I told the team, this shows that Cliff is a huge part of this unit – which we all know,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “And one of the real strengths of our defense is all the guys together, and knowing that Cliff is going to be part of this group moving forward is huge. “He’s already been a huge factor for us for two years. Now to know that he’s extended and is going to be a part of this group, we couldn’t be more thrilled for him.” The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Avril signed with Seahawks as a free agent in 2013, after playing his first five NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions. He had eight sacks last season to finish second on the team to Bennett (8.5). Entering Sunday night’s nationally televised showdown with the NFC West-leading Cardinals in Arizona, Avril has 4.5 sacks, which is third on the team behind Bennett (six) and Bruce Irvin (5.5). “Cliff has been a really good addition to this club, not only as a really good player but a really good person, too,” line coach Travis Jones said. “You can’t have enough good people that play very well on your roster. You always want to have those people in your program so you can continue to rise and continue to get better each week. “Cliff is one of those individuals and we’re celebrating having him here.” Avril is the kind of relentless player whose impact cannot be measured in sacks or tackles, because of the plays he creates for other players. “Cliff has a very good knack for getting to the quarterback,” Jones said. “And when he gets around the quarterback, he’s always attacking the ball. And he’s done that over his entire career.” Avril had 14 QB hits and five forced fumbles during the regular season last year, and then added 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the playoffs. And he saved his biggest play for the biggest game, as Avril rammed into Peyton Manning just as the Denver Broncos’ QB was releasing the ball to setup the interception that Malcolm Smith returned for a touchdown in the Seahawks’ 43-8 victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. This season, Avril has 17 QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. “I’m glad they consider me one of the core guys. We have a great young team,” said Avril, who laughed as he added, “I’m one of the older guys” despite being only 28. “So I’m just happy to be part of something so special.” These moves have given the Seahawks an opportunity to become an all-time great defense, known as L.O.B. Go Hawks!!! :)
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:51:58 +0000
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