Lions free agent DE Cliff Avril spoke with SirusXM NFL Radio today and said he wants to remain a Lion. But he also said he wants to get paid.
"I just want to be paid as one of the guys that's helping the team grow," Avril said. "I want to be there. We have a young D-line. But I know it's a business, and you only hit free agency once or twice in your career, so you definitely have to take advantage of it."
Asked whether he would give the Lions a hometown discount, Avril didn't hedge.
"There's no such thing as a hometown discount in the NFL," he said. "Once you can't play anymore, they're going to let you go, so you definitely have to strike gold when you can.
"That said, if they and another team present the same thing, I'd definitely stay with the Lions."
Avril said some friends have told him they believe Avril would be a good fit in New England.
"I kind of think the Lions will try to do the right thing, I guess," he said. "A lot of teams don't think the Lions will let me hit free agency. But a few teams have called."



