LaBoy thriving as Cardinals' 'predator'

FLAGSTAFF - Travis LaBoy was the Cardinals' biggest offseason free-agent acquisition.

Big deal, said skeptics, who have watched LaBoy line up with the second-unit defense at training camp.

Then LaBoy had a big game in the Cards' preseason win at Kansas City, where he had two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Maybe he can be a halfway big deal, the skeptics refigured.

LaBoy plays the team's hybrid "predator" position, a combination defensive end/linebacker. Because he starts from a standing or "up" position, the Cardinals generally refer to this as a linebacker spot. But opponents refer to it as a defensive end, linebackers coach Bill Davis said.

"When you break it down, they rush a lot more than they drop (into coverage)," Davis said. "They're pass rushers more than they are linebackers."

"It's a glorified defensive end, really," LaBoy said.

About the only difference from his days with the Titans is that LaBoy is standing up instead of putting his hand down in a 3-point stance.

The Chiefs, who were knocked on their backside, probably didn't care about such subtleties, including what his position is called. They were tackled by a guy who played for the past four seasons in Tennessee, where he rolled up 19.5 sacks.

And LaBoy does not lack for confidence, despite his critics.

Upon arriving in Arizona he had someone design a pro-wrestling style, jewel-encrusted championship belt - LaBoy sometimes trains with pro wrestlers - to be given to the player who rings up the most sacks on any given week.

He gets to wear the belt for now.

LaBoy describes his game as doing "a little bit of everything OK," rather than dominating in any one area.

"I hope I'm well-rounded," he said. "I run to the ball. A good motor."

That comes into play for the linebacker, er, defensive end, no, "predator" spot. In addition to pass rushing, LaBoy - who has been playing behind Bertrand Berry - must defend the run.

"Travis is real explosive," Davis said. "He's got a lot of power. The (Cardinals) scouts did a great job of finding him. He has pass-rush ability. And in our system, our outside guys' first talent is outside rush ability.

"The other thing we saw on tape is how strong he was in the run game."

At Kansas City, "He really had a nice game, showing that combination of power and pass rush."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said LaBoy's big game "solidifies our belief he'll be a good player for us."

"Needless to say, we were excited to get Travis in free agency. We thought he would fit well defensively into our scheme."

Versatile players such as LaBoy make for tough matchups for offenses because they're facing players who can line up in different spots.

Whisenhunt said, "Defensive football is a lot about matchups - getting a guy like Travis matched up against a back in (pass) protection ... or Adrian Wilson getting matched up on a back.

"Having guys who have those skills is going to give us a lot of flexibility."

Judging by what he did in Kansas City, it looks like LaBoy can play, regardless of what you call him.