Tag: Cliff Avril

Cliff Avril chides Seahawks fans for wanting change after ‘one bad season out of 10’

Count former Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril among those who think that would be a bad idea. 

The Seattle Seahawks are coming to the end of an uncharacteristic poor season. At 5-10, they’re about to post their first last-place finish in their own division in 25 years and their first losing record in a decade. Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears made it official that this team won’t be making the playoffs – only the second time during the Pete Carroll/Russell Wilson era.

What comes next is the subject of intense debate and virtually no consensus whatsoever when it comes to the fanbase. Some want to see wholesale changes, including firing Carroll, trading Wilson and starting over with a remade nucleus next season.

Count former Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril among those who think that would be a bad idea. Avril says real fans wouldn’t be asking for change after what he calls “one bad season out of 10.”

Avril has a point – the sustained success this franchise has achieved in recent years is unmatched with only one exception – and that exception might be the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Carroll deserves a hefty portion of the credit for keeping this team competitive as long as he has, even if a great deal of it is thanks to Wilson’s unique heroics.

All that being said, it’s obvious that Carroll has taken this team as far as it’s going to get. One can point to a very specific point in place and time when the peak occurred – somewhear near the accursed goal line down in Arizona.

Since that fateful slant Seattle has not returned to the NFC Championship Game and they’ve only won one playoff game in the last five years.

Carroll will be a worthy member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day and we have nothing but the highest respect for what he’s achieved at this level. The game evolves constantly though and to keep pace the Seahawks need to try something different.

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Seahawks DE Alton Robinson worked with Cliff Avril this offseason

One of the few bright spots was the performance of second-year defensive end Alton Robinson.

The Seahawks defense was generally putrid against the Raiders last night in their preseason debut. They couldn’t stop the run and somehow made Zay Jones look like a superstar. One of the few bright spots was the performance of second-year defensive end Alton Robinson. He got a few pressures on Nathan Peterman, including a hit that resulted in an interception for safety Ryan Neal. Robinson also looked stout against the run.

Basically, he excelled in every part of the game except when he was asked to carry a receiver all the way downfield for some odd reason. After the game, Robinson said he’s been learning from older players and coaches. He’s also worked with Cliff Avril some this offseason.

Avril was arguably the most underrated piece during Seattle’s peak run, totaling 34.5 sacks from 2013-2017 before a neck injury cut his career short. The more Robinson can learn from him, the better.

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Cliff Avril: Seahawks must find consistency to return to Super Bowl

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril stated that the team must find some consistency in 2021 to return to the Super Bowl.

Former Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril appeared on NFL Total Access along with former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew to discuss how the blue and green can make a championship run in 2021.

Avril more or less stated the obvious, saying that Seattle must find consistency when it comes to their best play on both sides of the ball.

“They’ve got to be more consistent,” Avril said. “The first half of the [2020] season, Russell Wilson was basically the MVP of the league. You know, people were chanting ‘Let Russ Cook,’ he balled out. And the defense definitely didn’t look anything like we’re used to seeing, nothing like those 2013-2014 years. And then halfway through the season, it felt like it flipped. The defense, when they got Jamal Adams, they got Carlos Dunlap, and then the defense played probably some of the best defense they’ve played in an eight-game span, and then the offense wasn’t anywhere to be found.”

2020 was indeed a tale of two halves for Seattle, but the Seahawks were able to squeak out wins on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, their 12-4 record turned out to be for naught as the Rams bounced them in the wild card round by a score of 30-20.

“So consistency is the name of the game for the Seahawks right now,” Avril said. “If they can play the entire [2021] season like the offense played in the first half and the defense played in the second half, I think the Seahawks can actually make a run and also possibly win the Super Bowl.”

The Seahawks must continue their strong defensive performance from the second half of 2020 and the offense must produce under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. But most importantly, they must do so simultaneously. As Avril said, consistency is the key to returning to the Super Bowl.

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Cliff Avril: Neither Seahawks nor Russell Wilson wants to part ways

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril believes neither the organization nor quarterback Russell Wilson wants to part ways.

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s Wyman and Bob to dive into the tempestuous relationship between the Seattle Seahawks and their longtime quarterback Russell Wilson in what has become somewhat of a trend of former teammates voicing their opinions about the situation.

Avril stated that neither side wants the partnership to end and that he does not believe Wilson will be departing the Emerald City this year.

“I think their whole thing of why they’re not saying anything is I don’t think (either side thought) it was going to be as big of a deal as it (has become),” Avril said. “And it’s kind of one of those things where if you don’t speak on it, it will die down. And I really do believe that. I don’t think either side wants to (end) the marriage, right? I don’t think Russell Wilson is going anywhere this year, I don’t think he’s going anywhere the next couple years if I’m being honest with you.”

All of the recent speculation on Wilson’s future started after his comments about his dissatisfaction with the organization on the Dan Patrick Show, but one could argue that he was merely publicly asking for solid pass protection after a long career of not having it, and Avril seems to think so too.

“He has been sacked quite a few times, but I think it was more of ‘I just need some help up front. I’m not saying the guys I have up front aren’t good enough, but (Mike) Iupati isn’t coming back and you’re losing pieces left and right, so can we get some consistency maybe up front?’” he said. “… Duane Brown has been the staple for the last few years, but who else? I think that’s more of (what the conversation is).”

On coach Pete Carroll and his job security, Avril said that Seattle needs to keep him for the foreseeable future because of his experience and rapport with Wilson.

“I think they both go hand in hand and make each other great,” Avril said of Carroll and his quarterback. “I don’t think letting coach Carroll go and then bringing some other coach in necessarily solves anything (because) that coach has to live up to coach Carroll, and that’s not fair to that coach.”

We will see how the Seahawks’ actions in free agency this year will affect their relationship with Wilson going forward.

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Doctors recommended Branden Jackson not play this season to be safe

To prevent further injury to his neck, the Seahawks’ doctors recommended defensive end Branden Jackson sit out the season.

The Seattle Seahawks placed defensive end Branden Jackson on injured reserve Sunday after he gave the team quite the scare during the first mock game of the year at CenturyLink Field.

Jackson collided with a teammate during the scrimmage and was knocked unconscious for a brief time before being carted off to an ambulance. Thankfully, Jackson was able to return to the team meetings the following day.

Coach Pete Carroll, at the time, was unsure of any long-term damage as a result of the injury, but the team has decided to play it safe this year.

“It’s a situation where (doctors) don’t recommend him playing this season,” Carroll told reporters Sunday afternoon. “He really came out of that episode OK, but the testing did show him that he had a physical trait that they want to protect, so everybody has been convinced that the best thing to do is for him not to play this year. I don’t know that that’s forever, but I do know for right now. He’s not injured right now, but he’s susceptible — it’s similar to situations a couple of our other guys have had in the past. We’re erring on the side of long-term health and taking care of our guys.”

Carroll compared Jackson’s situation to that of Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril, both of whom retired because of neck injuries. Carroll is hopeful that Jackson could return in the future.

“He is a great team guy, we love him on our team, and he’s got such spirit,” Carroll said. “He’s got great versatility too in his play, but he’s just been such a great guy in this locker room. We’re going to miss him. I asked him to stay around as long as he wants to be with us all along, and I hope he’ll be able to do that.”

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Russell Wilson congratulates Michael Bennett on career retirement

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson congratulated defensive end Michael Bennett on his retirement to a lengthy and stellar career.

Defensive end Michael Bennett made the decision to retire from the NFL and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson congratulated him on his career on Twitter.

Bennett compiled five seasons in the Emerald City and was a significant factor in the Seahawks winning Super Bowl XLVIII after he arrived in 2013 via free agency with fellow defensive end Cliff Avril. He compiled 39 sacks and 195 combined tackles (151 solo) in 75 games and 62 starts during his tenure and was one of the most ruthless players on the defensive line.

Bennett was also an outspoken advocate for racial equality during his career. He joined other NFL players in peaceful protests in the form of kneeling while the United States national anthem played before every game and spoke out against police brutality whenever a high-profile case of it surfaced. He was ultimately traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 offseason, but he capped off a solid legacy in Seattle and will certainly be remembered as an integral part of the Seahawks’ elite defense in 2013 and 2014.

The retired 34-year-old defensive end will no longer see the field, but Michael Bennett made marks with his play and advocacy, and the memories will linger on.

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Seahawks players use social media to celebrate Mother’s Day

Seattle Seahawks current and former players took to Twitter to wish a happy Mother’s Day to their moms and wives on Sunday.

Mother’s Day celebrations will no doubt be impacted heavily this year, with social distancing practices still in place around the United States – which of course limits people’s ability to see their parents.

That of course won’t stop people from celebrating, however, and social media will continue to be a prominent way for people to share their feelings about their own moms and the other moms in their life.

The Seattle Seahawks, as well as many current and former players, have already begun sharing pictures and stories on Twitter, in light of the holiday.

Many players used the platform to send love to their own moms, while a handful of others celebrated their wives, a few who are celebrating their first Mother’s Day as a new mom.

In light of this pandemic’s impact on social gatherings, we here at Seahawks Wire hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday and is able to celebrate with the moms in their life in some capacity while we wait for a return to normalcy in the (hopefully) near future.

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Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf to donate $50,000 for COVID-19 efforts

Metcalf is splitting the money, with $25k going to Swedish Hospital in Seattle and the other $25k going to Oxford to help feed the homeless.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, entering his second NFL season, is already making a huge impact on both his new community and his hometown.

Metcalf is donating $50,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts, splitting the money evenly between Swedish Hospital in Seattle and purchasing meals to feed people in need in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi.

Metcalf grew up in Oxford and stayed close to home to play his college football at Ole Miss, before getting selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Swedish is one of the biggest hospitals in Seattle, and they have many other, smaller locations around the city.

Metcalf is not the only Seahawks player stepping up to help in light of this tough situation as quarterback Russell Wilson has already pledged to raise 10 million meals to Feeding America, who are helping to feed people who may have lost their job thanks to COVID-19.

Former Seahawks great Cliff Avril has also pledged money to a handful of charitable organizations in the Seattle area, totaling $50,000 in donations.

Metcalf’s generosity at such a young age and after just one season in the league is the testament to what kind of person he is, and Seattle is lucky to have him.

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Cliff Avril donates $50,000 to 4 local organizations impacted by COVID-19

The Cliff Avril Family Foundation donated $50,000 dollars to four local organizations who are working with people impacted by COVID-19.

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril announced that, along with the Cliff Avril Family Foundation, he will donate $50,000 to four different Seattle-area organizations that are providing resources to people impacted by COVID-19.

In a series of tweets, Avril confirmed the donation and talked about each of the four organizations, and how they are helping the community.

The four organizations include:

The Boys and Girls Club of King County, who are helping provide breakfast and lunch for underprivileged youth at the Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse and Teen Center at Rainier Vista.

Communities in Schools, who are providing resources for communities who are disproportionately affected by setting up a basic needs emergency fund.

HealthPoint, who are purchasing temporal thermometers for each testing site, to help insure drive-up testing sites are ready to meet patient needs.

Odessa Brown’s Children Clinic, who support low-income families in a variety of ways, including with food, hygiene products and general family needs.

Avril has been a dedicated member of the Seattle community since 2013, and remains a local fan favorite despite playing his final game with the Seahawks back in 2017.

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Cliff Avril does not expect Seahawks to pay Jadeveon Clowney top money

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril does not believe the team will re-sign Jadeveon Clowney if he demands too much money.

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril recently joined 710 ESPN Seattle to discuss the team’s impending decision on free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

Avril commended Clowney for his 2019 season, in which he only recorded three sacks but made several impact plays and frequently pressured opposing quarterbacks.

“It’s probably the most impressive 3-sack season I’ve ever seen,” Avril said. “For a guy to have three sacks and then when you turn on the film, you see how disruptive he is or can be. Most of the games, he can take over a game by himself.”

However, the Seahawks have reportedly been concerned about Clowney’s asking price, and Avril stated he does not expect them to pursue the edge rusher if he demands too much money.

“I definitely think that’s somebody they should consider bringing back, but I also think he’s going to cost too much,” Avril said. “If you just look at what the Seattle Seahawks have done with (head coach Pete Carroll) and those guys – and no knock on them, that’s their philosophy – they never really spend top dollar for any D-lineman.”

Avril believes that the Seahawks will instead re-sign complementary pieces on the defensive line and sign a defensive end similar to Clowney with a lower asking price.

“Instead of paying him, they’ll probably try and bring two other guys back that they feel might be comparable to him,” Avril said.

“You keep some of these young players that you have, like a Jarran Reed who I definitely think they should sign back, a Quinton Jefferson who I think they should sign back and then you add hopefully one of these free agent pass rushers,” he said. “(Robert) Quinn is out there, there’s a few other ones who are out there, and you add them to the mix of and then you didn’t have to necessarily spend $22 (million) a year for one player when you could probably get three or four more players that can hopefully collectively be able to cause damage on quarterbacks.”

The dominoes of free agency will begin to fall on March 18 at the start of the new league year.

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