The back and forth between the Detroit Lions and defensive end Cliff Avril has actually become quite comical and perhaps a bit immature.

The Lions are set to start a mandatory minicamp next week, but it doesn’t look like Avril will be there. Avril has yet to sign his franchise tender and contract negotiations appear to be getting worse, not better.

To make matters more interesting, president Tom Lewand was asked about the negotiations between the two sides and his response was not in the least bit comforting:

“We obviously have the tender out on Cliff and he’s welcome to sign that anytime he wants,” Lions president Tom Lewand said at the team’s charity golf outing today. “We’ve continued discussions on whether we can convert that into something on a longer-term basis but, really, in many ways, in terms of the tender, the ball’s in his court.”

On Saturday, Avril countered that with a response of his own. When asked about what Lewand had to say, Avril said: » Continue reading “Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions Still in Contract Negotiations”