Tag Archives: Cliff Avril

May 28, 2017 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

We returned from vacation to a lot of depressing Seahawks news. Here’s the latest on the team …

Hall of Famer Cortez Kennedy stunningly died at age 48. Many former teammates and coaches spoke glowingly of him as both person and player.

The Seahawks darkened their stadium, the only light the one shining on Kennedy’s No. 96 hanging from the rafters. Kennedy also had close ties to the Saints, who are honoring him during their offseason workouts.

Dave Boling gave a revealing look at former Seattle star Curt Warner’s difficult family challenges since he retired.

We learned further details on the reason Richard Sherman has become a team pariah: He reportedly still harbors a grudge over the Super Bowl XLIX debacle and is jealous of Russell Wilson. As expected, Sherman dismissed the story.

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On the air, State of the team, The roster

Avril talks Lynch, Sherman, McDowell

May 9, 2017 cc 1 Comment

Avril on NFLN Cliff Avril said he understands why Marshawn Lynch wants to play in Oakland, is glad the Seahawks did not trade Richard Sherman, and also looks forward to mentoring Malik McDowell.

Those were the top takeaways from a good interview with Avril on NFL Network on Tuesday — as Avril returns from his Haiti work and a side trip to the NFL draft to announce some of Seattle’s picks.

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Free agency

Are Hawks prepping to court Campbell?

January 21, 2017 cc Leave a comment

campbell-wilson There’s a lot of chatter from fans wanting the Seahawks to pursue Calais Campbell in free agency to improve their interior pass rush.

On first blush, it seems like a lot of wishful thinking — John Schneider usually goes younger and cheaper on veteran defensive linemen — but there are increasing signs the Hawks could indeed make a play for the 30-year-old Arizona tackle.

Seattle’s hiring of his former college position coach, Clint Hurtt, adds to the intrigue created by Russell Wilson, who appeared to be recruiting Campbell after their December game.

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Playoffs: Detroit, Trades

Lions face the Legion they helped build

January 7, 2017 cc 1 Comment

A year ago at this time, the Seahawks were getting ready for a wild-card playoff game against an NFC North team they had helped build. They ended up escaping frigid Minnesota with a lucky win over the Vikings and Teddy Bridgewater, the quarterback Seattle enabled Minnesota to draft in 2014.

Now, here the Hawks are in the wild-card round again, about to face another NFC North team, and personnel ties loom large yet again.

As the Hawks prepare to host the Detroit Lions in the first playoff game between the teams, two of the big storylines involve Golden Tate and Cliff Avril going against their former teams. But the personnel links are deeper than that.

Since coming to Seattle in 2010, John Schneider has done more business with Detroit than with any other team. Of his 42 trades, seven have been with the Lions. And two of them helped create the Legion of Boom.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 16: Arizona

December 21, 2016 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Cardinals at Seahawks

Cliff Avril made the Pro Bowl for the first time, alongside Bobby Wagner, Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman.

Sherman’s sideline rant from the last game is still a big topic, which Sherman doesn’t like.

Darrell Bevell said he and Sherman have talked and are in “a good place.”

Earl Thomas reiterates he has not ruled out retirement.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 15: Los Angeles

December 16, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks are NFC West champs, but are they good enough to be any more than that?

It was a night of redemption for Russell Wilson.

Michael Bennett felt fine after wrenching his neck on a hellish hit.

Jon Ryan was taken to the hospital after suffering a concussion during a crazy run off a fake punt.

Bennett and the defensive line had a feeding frenzy against rookie QB Jared Goff.

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State of the team, Week 11: Philadelphia

Just like 2014, Hawks pass test vs. Eagles

November 22, 2016 cc 1 Comment

In 2014, the last time the Seahawks put together a Super Bowl run, their proving game came in Week 14 at the Philadelphia Eagles.

That game was more of a test for Seattle’s No. 1 defense, which had built its ranking on the backs of some bad offenses and faced a big test against the league’s fourth-ranked offense. The Hawks dominated Chip Kelly’s Eagles, winning 24-14, and did not lose again that season.

This Eagles game brought a different challenge: The league’s No. 3 scoring defense against Seattle’s rollercoaster offense.

The Seahawks were coming off two pretty decent offensive games against AFC East teams Buffalo and New England, but the Eagles’ front posed a much bigger challenge.

Just like the defense in 2014, the offense proved itself in fine fashion. The Hawks put up a season-high 439 yards in a 26-15 victory that featured a bevy of big plays, a fully healthy Russell Wilson, a much more explosive running game and a resilient offensive line.

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