The way I see it you have three choices to keep your elbows higher:
1. Use a 1 board.
2. Use a manpon or a few inches of foam which would give a more natural feel.
3. Get fatter so your arms don't have so far to go
Seriously though I see what you mean and in the interest of your elbow health I would limit your benching to chest. The shirt will take care of the bottom 2".
LtL