Gabe Carimi to Chicago Bears: 2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Published by Thomas Emerick on April 28, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Gabe Carimi’s dominance of fellow first rounders Adrian Clayborn and Cameron Heyward in senior year match ups clarified the Badger’s first-round destiny — and the Chicago Bears took him off the boards just before day one ended. The Outland Trophy winner bludgeoned holes through the Ohio State defense as Wisconsin scored an upset over the nation’s then-No .1 team.
His size (6-7, 314 lbs.) and arm length help make up for his weakness at stepping out at speedy edge rushers, but Carimi should want no part of Dwight Freeney right now. Carimi is arguably the best run blocking offensive tackle in the draft, however. The Wisconsin pedigree of powerful blocking tackles like Joe Thomas also encourage the idea that Carimi is a safe mid-to-late first round pick.
James Christensen of PatriotsInsider.com believes Carimi is perhaps the tackle who can contribute the most immediately.
“This Badger is an absolute monster, coming in at 6’8” and 320 pounds. He performed well at LT in college, but might be better suited for the right side in the NFL due to his below-average footwork. His run-blocking is absolutely nasty though, having pushed back quite a few Big 10 defenders over the last couple of years due to his size and strength.”
Most Bears fans have blanked out the first few weeks of the 2010 regular season, but it’s doubtful quarterback Jay Cutler has. Even after offensive adjustments and shorter drop-backs made protection no longer a complete disaster after the bye week, the Chicago offensive line could still really use a big punishing stud left tackle like Carimi.
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