Gabe Carimi Scouting Reports and Pre-draft Interview (Video)
Newest Chicago Bear Gabe Carimi was interviewed by FoxSports prior to the draft:
To check out his Combine footage, head over to NFL.com by following this link.
Check out some of the snippets from his scouting reports after the jump…
From CBS Sports.com:
"Pass blocking: Has the elite agility and nimble feet to protect the quarterback’s blindside. Very difficult to turn the corner against because of his lateral movement and solid footwork. Also protects the inside lane well. Delivers a strong hand punch capable of knocking back an opponent, and is able to recoil and extend again. Uses his length to block his man with one hand and knock an edge blitzer off his path with the other. Quick to cut on bubble screens and reverses, though he could get more of his man’s legs to be truly effective. Bends at the waist while engaged; usually holds on to prevent secondary rush but will also end up on the ground too often.Run blocking: Known as an athletic pass protector, but is a strong blocker for the Badger run game. Has strong upper and lower body builds despite his height. Plays with leverage against stout defensive ends and tackles on the edge, can get under their pads and churn his legs to move them down or off the line. Effective combo blocker, gets a hand on a tackle and still manages to push ends out of the play on strong-side runs. Leans or bends at the waist to latch on at times, will get shed and lose his balance.Pulling/trapping: Usually not asked to pull or trap from the outside, but down-blocks often and has the quickness and footwork to move behind the line. Gets his quick hands out in front to get a piece of inside defenders before moving to the MIKE linebacker. Can sustain blocks in space because of his length and nimble feet.Initial Quickness: Elite first step in his kick slide and lateral movement, does not get beat off the edge very often. Also explodes off the ball on run plays, is capable of driving his man back a few yards. Defenders will take advantage of the quickness to take him upfield or knock him off balance, however.Downfield: Excellent footwork and agility to get downfield. Reaches linebackers at the second level and defensive backs further downfield equally well. Knows the proper angle to cut off defenders from the ballcarrier. Good lateral movement once engaged, gives effort to sustain against smaller defenders. Tends to bend at the waist and punch instead of moving after initial contact.Intangibles: Solid player with strong work ethic, as well as football and general intelligence. Received multiple Academic All-American and All-Big Ten awards. Missed three games in 2008 with right MCL sprain, but played through maladies in 2009: slight tear in right MCL scarring, left AC joint (shoulder) sprain, H1N1 virus. Fasted for 24 hours before 2008 game against Iowa in observance of Yom Kippur."
From NFL.com (and you’re gonna like this one):
"Carimi was the 2010 Outland Trophy winner as the best interior lineman in college football, and it appears likely that he will have continued success at the next level. Carimi is simply a “bad man” who looks to punish defensive ends on every play. His non-stop motor, coupled with his ideal size, make him a terror in the running game, and he has enough athleticism to hold his own in pass protection. Like all tall linemen, Carimi struggles at times with leverage and may have to make the move to right tackle in the NFL. Overall, Carimi is a beast who should be picked in the middle of the first round."
I like that assessment. Based on most mocks, it looks like the Bears got a bit of a bargain. For me, I’m thrilled with the pick. At about 20 I started to get the sense that it was possible that he could fall to the Bears and after Jerry Angelo’s best effort to botch the pick with a failed trade with the Ravens, the Bears appear to have still gotten their man.
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