WitP: LaBoy, Elam, C.J., Lelie, Colt (w/Bess Update)

Travis LaBoy has come up with some extra motivation for the Arizona Cardinals linebackers this season.

When defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast told them he planned to tweak his system to allow for even more pass-rushing packages for the linebackers, they came up with a contest to reward the week-by-week sacks leader.

And the prize is a gaudy, but grand gold-and-jewel-encrusted belt that might belong to a champion pro wrestler. It even has a spinning Cardinals' bird-head logo affixed to the middle of it.

The idea came from Travis LaBoy, a free-agent addition from the Tennessee Titans, who has trained with pro wrestlers and knew a person who sculpted and built the belts the champions get to wear.

According to Dansby, LaBoy paid for the campy hardware, plunking down "something between $10,000 and $20,000." With the blessing of the coaching staff, the linebackers will take turns wearing it during the regular season, based on who has the most sacks from game to game.

"He's a new guy, and that's a lot of class, man," Dansby said of LaBoy. "He's a great guy, and I'm glad we got him aboard, 'cause this thing is going to be fun. And that belt is sweet! That sucker shines, man."

Pretty cool! I couldn't find a picture of the Cardinals belt, but via the Travis LaBoy Foundation website, here's a picture of a belt he created when he was a Tennessee Titan defensive lineman.



Thanks to 4uhfan for finding the article.

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Jason Elam pulled a Dan Kelly in Falcons practice today.

All of the Falcons players stormed the field after kicker Jason Elam made a 56-yard field goal near the end of Thursday’s morning practice.

Before the kick, coach Mike Smith made a deal with the team. A lot was on the line.

If Elam made the kick, the veterans could break training camp and head home after the evening practice. If he missed it, they had to stay in training camp until Sunday.

“Some of the guys were talking to me who never talked to me before,” Elam said. “It always feels good as a kicker when you can do something for the team and give them a little boost.”

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C.J. Hawthorne didn't catch a pass in the Buffalo Bills preseason game against the Steelers today, but he made a tackle on special teams.

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Ashley Lelie will not be playing in this week's 49ers preseason game as he continues to recover from his calf injury.

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Colt Brennan will play in the 4th quarter of the Redskins game on Saturday. Ferd Lewis writes that Colt will be playing on his birthday, against his childhood idol, Brett Favre.

"Knowing Colt, he will probably ask Favre for his autograph after the game," said Brennan's father, Terry, only half jokingly, you suspect.

If he does, Colt could call it a birthday present because the day will mark his 25th birthday.

"Really?" Colt said, mentally turning the pages of the calendar for a moment. "That's right, it will be. I guess the dates are kind of going by. In training camp you don't get much chance to think about too many things other than football."

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UPDATE: This page from the Miami Dolphins website has a link to a video interview with Davone Bess.