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n f l b o i l e r s same faces, new places BY GOLD AND BLACK STAFF I t took Cliff Avril a bit longer to put on his new uniform than anticipated. The defensive end signed a two-year, $13-million deal with Seattle during the offseason, hoping to add to the upand-coming Seahawks. But he was hit by injury after signing the deal, first missing much of OTAs with a foot injury, then having a hamstring injury for the first half of training camp. But Aug. 14 brought a reprieve, with Avril putting on the Seahawks practice uniform for the first time in camp. He wasn't ready to play in the second of the Seahawks' exhibition games on Aug. 17, but at the least he's drawing closer to being able to participate in the regular season. "It feels great to be back out there and just trying to build that camaraderie," Avril told the Seattle Times. Avril was one of the more sought-after free agents during the offseason, after having accumulated 39.5 sacks through his five seasons in Detroit. But his short tenure in Seattle has gotten off to a slow start. "Definitely not how I wanted to start," he said to the Times. "You know, it's part of football, things happen. For me, it's just getting better every day and progressing with the injuries and getting ready for the season." Seattle is hoping that Avril can help improve what was at times was a near non-existent pass rush in 2012. It may be one of the only negatives to a team that was one of the biggest surprises of the season, when it went 11-5 and advanced to the playoffs. Avril wants to play as soon as possible. "I definitely would like to get out there for one of these (remaining preseason) games," Avril told media in Seattle. "It's a little bit different from practicing. When it's out there, the games are a lot quicker and a lot more physical. So you definitely would like to get a feel for it before the season starts for sure." Avril isn't the only marquee former Boilermaker to land in a new location this season. Linebacker Shaun Phillips signed a free agent contract in Denver; safety Bernard Pollard did so in Tennessee and 45 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 1 Seahawks Cliff Avril's tenure with Seattle has gotten off to a slow start, but once he gets healthy, the defensive end is expected to bring a pass rush to the Seahawks. tight end Dustin Keller signed with Miami. But Keller didn't get much of a chance with the Dolphins. The former New York Jet was carted off the field during the second preseason game on Aug. 17 with a right knee injury. Various media outlets initially reported that Keller tore the ACL, MCL and PCL and also dislocated his knee. It was an unfortunate turn for Keller, whose 2012 season, his last with the Jets, was marred by a pesky hamstring injury. It led him to sign a one-year, $4.25-million contract in Miami, hoping that a big season could lead to a longer deal. But another injury might end that plan. On the play, Houston safety D.J. Swearinger broke up a pass intended for Keller, hitting him low while making contact with his helmet against Keller's knee. Immediately, it was evident f