Travis LaBoy: Go Get Him Jerry!

[BAT]

He needs his own thread. LaBoy was a walk on to the Hawaii program and finished as the WAC DPOY. He was drafted in the 2nd by the Titans. He is only 27 but he has been battling injuries his entire career in the NFL. His style of balls to wall play on every snap appears to be hard on his body. But as a pass rush specialist he could rotate w/Spencer and be kept fresher.



The guy ran 4.6 40 and pressed 225, 35 times. Strong, fast and extremely intense. He can be unblockable at times. NFL knock is that he is soft agains the run, but I watched his entire career at Hawaii, he is very tough against the run, but he plays so violently and physically that he tends to wear his body out. When healthy he is a beast, even on the strongside.


He is the perfect replacement for Ellis, younger hungrier but still a vet and proven pass rusher. More importantly, he is more economical.

 

[Woods]

We could probably afford LaBoy by the savings on Ellis' contract if we cut Ellis.

 

[BAT]

We could probably afford LaBoy by the savings on Ellis' contract if we cut Ellis.

I'd prefer to trade Ellis, but whatever we need to do to sign LaBoy. He will not remain on the open market for long.

 

[Woods]

I'd prefer to trade Ellis, but whatever we need to do to sign LaBoy. He will not remain on the open market for long.

Yhea, that would be ideal.

I wonder if JJ is going to do anything more in FA?

I get the feeling he's reigning it in a bit.

 

[BAT]

Yhea, that would be ideal.

I wonder if JJ is going to do anything more in FA?

I get the feeling he's reigning it in a bit.

That is my fear too. Got my fingers crossed.

 

[Woods]

In a lot of ways this move makes sense.

LaBoy is a lot younger than Ellis, and at best this is Ellis' last season on the team. Might as well replace him now with an experienced veteran.

Also, this could help team chemistry in that you don't have to deal with Ellis' complaining about not getting enough reps in TC, pre-season, the regular season, etc.

IMO, he's the last of the distractions/complainers that needs to move on.

 

[CF74]

I'd prefer to bring in a vet OT, we have 20 olb/de's...

 

[Woods]

I'd prefer to bring in a vet OT, we have 20 olb/de's...

I'm thinking of the Cowboys swapping LaBoy for Ellis (trading him preferably), not adding another OLB.

 

[Dcowboy84]

i was thinking the same thing yesterday, however living here in AZ i have to mention what i heard on the radio yesterday driving home from work.

apparently there is an injury concern regarding Laboy which is part of the reason most likely that the Cards released him after only 1 year.

from what i was hearing he has a chronic foot problem, and according to a doctors opinion of that kind of injury, it would require surgery and approx 1 yr of rehab.

now i heard that on the AZ sports radio station, and they didn't get any statement from the Cardinals regarding that, so take it with a grain of salt obviously.

But it does lend me to being cautious about him.

 

[BAT]

i was thinking the same thing yesterday, however living here in AZ i have to mention what i heard on the radio yesterday driving home from work.

apparently there is an injury concern regarding Laboy which is part of the reason most likely that the Cards released him after only 1 year.

from what i was hearing he has a chronic foot problem, and according to a doctors opinion of that kind of injury, it would require surgery and approx 1 yr of rehab.

now i heard that on the AZ sports radio station, and they didn't get any statement from the Cardinals regarding that, so take it with a grain of salt obviously.

But it does lend me to being cautious about him.

Not aware of a foot injury. But he did have a lingering ankle injury that left him ineffective for most of the season. But that guy also played through a shoulder and groin problems as well. All of which happened last season. When healthy, the first 5 games, he jumped out to 4 sacks. Once he got that groin & shoulder, then later the ankle, he still got pressure but he was less effective.


Of course he would need to pass a physical, but all he needs is an interview. Jerry will fall in love with this Tasmanian Devil.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Man Laboy had one great game against Dallas last year and now everyone thinks he's some sort of all star player or something.

The guy is average, at best. I'd rather they go with what they have, they can still cut or trade Ellis, that doesn't matter to me, but there is no reason to waste reps on Laboy.

 

[TNCowboy]

LaBoy is a JAG. Signing him would be a waste of $$$.

 

[BAT]

LaBoy is a JAG. Signing him would be a waste of $$$.

:laugh2:

 

[zeromaster]

Yeah we need another player with a history of injuries. Potential is fine, but staying power counts for something as well.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

We have a plethora of OLB's. Two of them we just drafted. That woud be a total waste blocking thier development. I'd take a strong look at Hood though and cut Ball. Depends what kind of money Hood wants of course and he also wouldn't play much so I doubt he comes here. So I guess it's a moot point.lol

 

[Future]

How about we release Ellis and give the job to Spencer...

 

[BAT]

We have a plethora of OLB's. Two of them we just drafted. That woud be a total waste blocking thier development. I'd take a strong look at Hood though and cut Ball. Depends what kind of money Hood wants of course and he also wouldn't play much so I doubt he comes here. So I guess it's a moot point.lol

That sounds a tad hypocritical. If any position group has a "plethora" it is the DBs. Wouldn't signing Hood block the development of the FIRST ROUNDER, Jenkins? Or Scandrick? Or any of the other corners just drafted? I will readily admit and you should too, we have our prejudices/favorites. You like the secondary players, and I like the LBs.


IMO, if Ellis is on his way out, Cowboys cannot afford to rely on unproven and/or physically unready players, especially if Spencer gets injured again or is unproductive. LaBoy could be had on the cheap, and he is a very young vet w/HUGE upside. If he passes his physical of course.


Plus, LaBoy fits the player mold that Ciskowski, Jerry and Stephen keep talking about. The guy is 1000% effort every snap.

 

[BAT]

Quick update: LaBoy is still rehabbing from the surgery on the biceps tendon he tore against the Eags in the NFC championship game (although he strained earlier in the regular season).

 

[Alexander]

Forget him even if we cut Ellis, I would as soon as not have another progress stopper in the way.

 

[dcfanatic]

:laugh2:

Can I just explain something real quick here.

We get it. You love the players from Hawaii.

But that doesn't mean they are all great players.

The Cards aren't just throwing away good young defensive talent because they don't want to go back to the Super Bowl.

Someone says he was released because he's got a chronic injury. Which is a good reason to do so. Players who can't get on the field aren't very useful.

And then you say Jerry will love him in an interview and we should sign him.

How about looking out for the team?

Why bring in a player who has all kinds of injury concerns and may never see the field because you like what he said in an interview.

I don't like that plan and neither should you as a Cowboys fan.