Cliff Avril is the Seattle Seahawks MVP for 2016
The Seattle Seahawks are well-known for the elite defense that the franchise has possessed over the last four and a half seasons. While the Legion of Boom generally gets most of the attention, the first level of Seattle’s defense has been an important factor in their dominance. In past years the unit has been led by players like Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant, Chris Clemons and most recently Michael Bennett. One key piece who hasn’t gained the recognition he’s deserved in the past is having a career year. Now in his ninth NFL season, that player is defensive end Cliff Avril.
After spending his first five with the Detroit Lions, Avril is now in his fourth season with the Seahawks and he’s brought his game to a whole new level. In fact, Avril is on pace to surpass nearly all of his previous career-highs. Through seven games he’s currently projected to finish the year with 50 combined tackles, 17 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
Avril shined particularly during the Seahawks’ four games in the month of October. He accumulated 16 of his tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and all three of his pass defenses en route to his first NFC Defensive Player of the Month award. These numbers are absolutely absurd and we don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon.
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Assuming his play stays at this level all seson Avril will be a candidate for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It would be the third in Seattle’s franchise history, coming after Cortez Kennedy (1992) and Kenny Easley (1984.) If he does so he’d be the first player to win the award past the age of 30 since the great Charles Woodson in 2009.
The point is Cliff Avril is having a great season, and not only are the numbers for him well improved, he’s making plays when it matters.
His best work came during Seattle’s tie with the Arizona Cardinals Avril went to work, totaling 2.5 sacks, four total tackles and two passes defensed. Each passing down it seemed as though Avril was in the backfield every, single, time. His combination of speed, technique and an insane inside lean that no offensive lineman can seem to contain, Avril has been unstoppable.
On a team full of stars and future hall-of-famers, Avril has stood out the most and is Seattle’s MVP so far this season.
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