2011 Detroit Lions MeDia GUiDe - Detroit Lions Mediaroom

CLIFF AVRIL
Defensive End
Purdue 4th Year
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 260
Born: 4/8/86 Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Dra : ‘08, R3c (92)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
MANE FACTS
Having not started playing football until the 11 th grade, Avril looked
up to RB Barry Sanders and RB Emmitt Smith. When he started playing
football, he’d pay attention to LB DeMarcus Ware and guys that
played in the 3-4 scheme.
Avril loves watching television shows Martin and the Fresh Prince.
Avril enjoys playing basketball, but has slowed down a little now that
he dedicates much of his time to football. He also likes to sit at home
and play video games.
During the off season Avril likes to go home and chill out with his family
since he doesn’t see them much for half of the year.
A er football, Avril would like to own a couple of businesses. He
wouldn’t mind owning a few clothing stores, or a few stores in the
mall back at home.
TRANSACTIONS
Dra ed by the Detroit Lions in the third round (92 nd overall) in the
2008 NFL Dra .
PRO
Through three NFL seasons, Avril has proven eff ective as a pass rusher and
has a knack for forcing fumbles while taking down opponent’s quarterbacks.
In his career, he has played 41 games (28 starts), collected 93 tackles (65
solo), registered 18.0 sacks (120.5 yards lost), knocked down 7 passes,
recovered 2 fumbles, forced 8 fumbles and has 3 special teams tackles.
It didn’t take long for Avril to prove himself as a pro during his rookie
season as he quickly emerged as a regular contributor in the defensive
end rotation. Among all rookie pass rushers in 2008, he fi nished tied for
fi rst with 5.0 sacks and was fi rst with four forced fumbles.
Avril ended his fi rst season with 22 tackles, having played 15 games,
including the fi nal four as a starter.
2010: Team’s starting le end. Registered career single-season high 8.5
sacks, despite missing three games due to injury, on the year to go along
with 31 (22 solo) tackles and three pass defenses.
His 8.5 sacks were the most by a Lions defensive end since DE James
Hall registered 11.5 in 2004.
Recorded a fumble recovery for a 10-yard gain which helped set up a
4-yard touchdown from RB Jahvid Best on the ensuing drive at Chicago
(9/12). Also tallied a solo tackle.
Inactive vs. Philadelphia (9/19) a er suff ering a knee and fi nger injury
in opener at Chicago.
Returned to the starting line-up at Minnesota (9/26) and recorded 3
tackles (2 solo) and a pass defensed. Avril’s defl ected pass resulted
in a CB Alphonso Smith interception which led to a Lions fi eld goal to
end the fi rst half.
Recorded a career high 2.0 sacks for a loss of 16 yards, fi ve tackles (3
solo), three tackles for loss and had two quarterback hits against the
Washington Redskins (10/31).
Registered a 9-yard loss on sack, and forced a fumble against New
York Jets (11/7).
Inactive (quadriceps) at Buff alo (11/14) and at Dallas (11/21).
Returned to lineup against New England (11/25), recording two
tackles (2 solo).
Career-high 3.0 sacks against Chicago (12/5) for a loss of 21 yards.
Added four tackles (4 solo). Became the fi rst Lions defensive player to
register 3.0 sacks in a game since DE Dwayne White had 3.0 sacks vs.
Tampa Bay Oct. 21, 2007.
Limited playing time as he injured ribs during game against Green
Bay (12/12).
Recorded eighth sack of the season with a 3-yard loss at Tampa Bay
(12/19). Added one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits.
Had two solo stops and one pass defense at Miami (12/26).
Recorded a 0.5 sack for a loss of four in Lions win over Minnesota (1/2)
in the season fi nale. Added fi ve tackles (3 solo) and one pass defense.
COLLEGE
Avril moved to defensive end in his fi nal two seasons for the Boilermakers
and registered 30 of his 35.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and
12.5 of his 13 sacks from the le end position. In 40 games at Purdue, he
started in 35 contests, with 12 starts coming at strong-side linebacker
and the other 23 at le defensive end. He was 12 th in school history with
13 sacks for minus-79 yards and fi nished 11 th in Purdue annals with 35.5
stops for losses of 137 yards.
Named All-Big Ten Conference by the NFL Dra Report and secondteam
by the league’s media in 2007 a er starting all 13 games at le
defensive end, where he led the team and tied for tenth in the conference
with 6.5 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown
Started the fi rst four games at strong-side linebacker in 2006 before
PLAYER PROFILES
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shi ing to le defensive end for the fi nal 10 games.
Played in 10 games as a sophomore in 2005 before a midseason back
fracture forced him to sit out for the rest of the year and limited him in
drills the following spring.
Saw considerable action as a true freshman in 2004 while appearing in
12 games, starting four contests at strong-side linebacker.
PERSONAL
Attended Clay High School (Fla.) where he earned second-team All-State
honors as a defensive end as a senior and was rated the 37 th best outside
linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com
Named to the Florida Times-Union Super 24 team and twice earned
All-Conference accolades.
As a senior led the team to an 11-2 record and registered 80 tackles, 9.0
sacks, 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four passes defensed.
Named to Class 3A All-State team by the Florida Sports Writers Association
in his senior year.
Lettered in basketball, track and fi eld and weight li ing.
Retail management major.
Enjoys playing basketball.
AVRIL’S SINGLEGAME BESTS
Tackles: ........................................................................................................................................7 at GB 10/18/09
Sacks: ........................................................................................................................................ 3.0 vs. Chi 12/5/10
Pass Defenses: ..........................................................................................................................2 vs. StL 11/1/09
Fumbles Forced: ........................................................................................ 1 (seven times) Last vs. Chi 1/3/10
Fumbles Recovered: ............................................................................................................... 1 vs. Ten 11/27/08
Fumble Return Yards: ..........................................................................................................10 vs. Ten 11/27/08
Special Teams Tackles: .................................................................................... 1 (twice) Last vs. StL 11/1/09
AVRIL’S DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2008 Det 15 4 22 17 5 5 30 0 0 0 0 4 1 10 0 1
2009 Det 13 11 40 26 14 5.5 37.5 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 1
2010 Det 13 13 31 22 9 8.5 61 0 0 0 5 1 1 10 0 1
Totals 41 28 93 65 28 18.0 120.5 0 0 0 7 8 2 10 0 3
2010 (Det)
Date Opp G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
9/12 at Chi 1 1 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 0
9/19 PHI 0 0 INACTIVE/INJURED
9/26 at Min 1 1 3 2 1 1.0 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/3 at GB 1 1 2 1 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/10 STL 1 1 1 0 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/17 at NYG 1 1 3 1 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/31 WAS 1 1 5 4 1 2.0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11/7 NYJ 1 1 2 1 1 1.0 9 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
11/14 at Buf 0 0 INACTIVE/INJURED
11/21 at Dal 0 0 INACTIVE/INJURED
11/25 NE 1 1 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/5 CHI 1 1 4 4 0 3.0 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/12 GB 1 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/19 at TB 1 1 1 1 0 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/26 at Mia 1 1 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
1/2 MIN 1 1 5 3 2 0.5 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 13 13 31 22 9 8.5 61 0 0 0 5 1 1 10 0 1