Tinoisamoa signs with Bears

By Fred Guzman
MauiNow.com

Jobs in the NFL are hard to earn and, as two former University of Hawaii standouts recently found out, even harder to keep.

That was the case with linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was released after six years by the St. Louis Rams despite leading the team with 104 tackles last season.  Pisa wasn’t out of work long, recently signing a new deal with the Chicago Bears.

Earlier, Arizona cut defensive end Travis Laboy one season into a five-year, $22 million contract that included a $7.5 million bonus.  LaBoy was released despite having 38 tackles and four sacks in 13 games in his only season with the Cardinals after spending three years with Tennessee.

LaBoy, who has been prone to injuries both in college and in the pros,  may end up sitting out the coming season after opting to undergo surgery on an ankle.  There are indications that, if LaBoy’s rehab goes well, there might be spot for him with the Oakland Raiders.

From the gridiron to the diamond:

Shane Victorino had a pair of hits – including a double – and drove in two runs for Philadelphia in yesterday’s 5-3 win over San Diego.  Victorino has been on a recent tear, lifting his average to .295.  His four triples are tied for the National League lead.  The win helped Philly maintain its half-game lead over the Mets in the East.

Kurt Suzuki went 0-for-4 in Oakland’s 6-2 loss to the White Sox, dropping his average to .278.