[ FOOTBALL ]

LaBoy signs
contract with Titans

The former UH defensive
end inks a four-year deal

Former Hawaii defensive end Travis LaBoy signed a four-year contract with Tennessee yesterday that could be worth between $3.1 and $4.1 million.

LaBoy has $1.7 million guaranteed, and $1.7 in combined bonuses, said his agent, Kenny Zuckerman.

The Titans also agreed to terms with other rookies tight end Ben Troupe and defensive ends Antwan Odom and Bo Schobel, completing their first-year player signings.

"Our goal every year is to get all of these done before camp," general manager Floyd Reese said. "Having 13 picks this year presented a challenge, but fortunately it's done. We need these guys to contribute, and we're excited about seeing them in a training camp."

LaBoy, the Titans' second of three picks in the second round, is being counted on to help fill the void left by Jevon Kearse's departure for Philadelphia as a free agent. LaBoy led the Western Athletic Conference with 13 sacks for Hawaii last year.

LaBoy's contract has provisions that guarantee him at least partial payment if he has a career-ending injury or if he is cut because his skills diminish, Zuckerman said.

"He also has protection from being cut for salary cap reasons," the agent said.