By: Michael Niziolek
There are a lot of new faces on defense this year for the Lions, but one young defensive lineman that’s back to build on his solid rookie season is defensive end Cliff Avril.
Detroit drafted Avril in the second round last season out of Purdue and in 15 games (4 starts) he had 42 tackles, 5 sacks and four forced fumbles for the Lions.
After the Lions first full day in pads, In-Play! asked Avril how his second NFL training camp experience is coming along…
IP: With one training camp under your belt did you feel more comfortable going into last week and day one of this year’s camp?
CA: Definitely, just the fact that I went through OTA’s (off-season training activities) and I kind of knew what I was getting myself into as far as how practices were going to be based and the plays. I definitely feel more comfortable.
IP: What about conditioning aspect – were you more prepared this second time with that aspect of camp?
CA: (Laughs) Honestly, you can condition all you want to, but ‘till you put those pads on and go practice and lean up against guys that weigh 340 pounds it’s a different ball game – but you still got to make it happen.
IP: I know it’s only four days into camp, but do you see any early differences between this year’s camp and last year?
CA: Just the tempo, the intensity that the guys on defense are bringing, I think that’s the biggest thing.
IP: The team brought in a couple of big time veterans like Larry Foote and Julian Peterson this off-season, what do you try to take from those guys and what do they bring to the table?
CA: Man, they just bring a lot of experience. They know how to practice; they know how to read things. Me and JP (Julian Peterson) we talk a lot about pass rushing and stuff like that.
IP: Julian has been a really good pass rusher throughout his career, when you are talking to him, what do you try and get from him?
CA: We both talk to each other about what we can work on, what kind of moves were working on the tackles and what’s working and not working. It’s coming along pretty good.
