He isn't signing for the same reason most vets don't sign right away.... the ability to work out on their own with their own people instead of being relegated to the team facilities. You have to remember that the new CBA is very restrictive to how much working out players can do. Maybe Cliff feels he needs to work harder and he wouldn't get the same level at the facilities as he could working with a private company. As long as he doesn't sign, he doesn't have to report and he can't be fined since he's not under contract. If he signs and holds out, he's fined per day.

As for a trade, it won't happen unless its something Cliff has already agreed too. I think he'll sign one of the offer sheets to a long-term deal eventually, but there's no rush to get anything done right now.

BS! If he wanted to "voluntarily" workout harder, he could. The only reason he's not doing it is so he can dog it and not be subject to rigorous workouts that may get him hurt. He isn't doing this so he can "workout harder." That's nonsense.

BS! If he wanted to "voluntarily" workout harder, he could. The only reason he's not doing it is so he can dog it and not be subject to rigorous workouts that may get him hurt. He isn't doing this so he can "workout harder." That's nonsense.

Exactly. Under the franchise tag, I'm pretty sure the player is only paid for regular season games. Avril can wait until after the preseason to sign without losing any money, right? At this point, waiting is the best way for him to gain leverage. He can make the team go through camp without him and see if that will motivate the front office to offer a better deal.

The one thing I haven't seen mentioned here with regard to a possible Avril trade is that he can't be traded until he signs an offer. Currently he's not under contract, so the Lions can't trade him. He'd either have to sign his franchise tag, or agree to a different contract, sign that one, and then be traded. A player who hasn't signed can't be traded.

That's my understanding anyway. I could be wrong though....

i cant wait till saturday which should be the last time we see todd mcshay for a while.

I was glad to see that Asante Samuel was traded to Atlanta today. I didn't want a thing to do with him. I think he's a good player, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and I don't think that he's the player he used to be. He's also a gambler, which can be good, but if he's going to be relied on as your #1 CB, you don't want him gambling too often, because he'll get burned.