5 Reasons Gabe Carimi Will Be a Successful Offensive Guard
Published by Ben Phillis on March 29, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Offensive tackle Gabe Carimi was selected by the Chicago Bears 29th overall in the 2011 NFL draft to help solidify the offensive line.
To this point, Carimi has not lived up to expectations.
The Bears have had little success with first-round tackles since the turn of the century; Carimi is the third such player they have drafted. Marc Colombo (29th overall, 2002) and Chris Williams (14th overall, 2008) both had injuries that kept them from becoming solid offensive linemen for the Bears.
Carimi has also been injured since entering the NFL. He sustained a serious knee injury in the second week of his rookie season, and he was placed on injured reserve later in the year (according to ESPN).
When Carimi was on the field in 2012, he didn’t play particularly well. He was flagged for penalties often. Carimi was also a liability in pass protection, as Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him a negative rating in that category for nine out of his 10 starts.
Between Carimi’s injuries and subpar performances, it seems his time at tackle is done for now. New addition Jermon Bushrod will protect Jay Cutler’s blind side, which enables J’Marcus Webb to slide over to right tackle. Jonathan Scott was re-signed by the Bears (according to NFL.com), presumably to be the swing tackle.
That means Carimi will move inside to guard for the 2013-14 season. He manned the right guard position for Chicago a little bit last season.
Fox News reported that former New York Jets starting guard Matt Slauson signed with the Bears, but it is likely that he will start at left guard. That leaves the starting right guard position open.
Carimi is a good bet to beat out Edwin Williams if it’s a competition, and there are many reasons to believe he will be a successful guard all season long.
