Gabe Carimi And Davin Joseph
June 10th, 2013
Yesterday Joe was giddy — partially due to a sugar high from eating frogurt — that the Bucs got former Bears first-round pick, offensive linemen Gabe Carimi for a measly sixth-round pick in 2014.
The reason Joe is optimistic about this trade is that Carimi is reunited with the man who developed him into an Outland Trophy winner, current Bucs’ offensive line coach Bob Bostad, a true wizard among offensive line coaches.
If Carimi can be turned around by Bostad, he could push if not replace Demar Dotson at right tackle and may be the long-term answer as a successor to Donald Penn at left tackle when Penn’s days are finished.
Penn, now 30, will be a free agent after the 2015 season under the current terms of his contract.
It seems Sam Monson of ProFootballFocus.com is of the same mind as Joe, but viewing through a different prism. No, Monson doesn’t believe Carimi could replace Dotson or Penn. Instead, Monson believes Carimi will replace right guard Davin Joseph.
@PFF_Sam: It’s a shame the Bucs are so foolishly in love with Davin Joseph at RG. I think Carimi could well be better, and a 6th is a bargain deal
Well, Joe doesn’t call the Bucs’ connection to Joseph “foolish.” When healthy, he’s one of the best right guards in the game and he’s a team captain. Joe’s not sure how that is “foolish.”
Now if Monson was referring to Joseph’s difficulties staying healthy for a full season, that’s a different animal. Look, Joe loves Joseph’s play and he’s one helluva cool cat. Real stand-up dude. But even Joseph will admit he needs to stay healthy, a tough task playing in the trenches where brutal hand-to-hand combat is the norm.
Like Penn, Joseph is not a spring chicken. Earlier this year he spoke openly of how he isn’t sure how many more years he has left in the tank. He, too, will be 30 this November and his salary escalates after the 2014 season (Joseph is signed through 2017).
Either way, if Bostad can work his magic, Joe is confident the Bucs got a steal last night.
June 10th, 2013 at 10:19 am
Since when is 30 old for OL?? I have seen some OL have the bulk of probowls in their 30s
June 10th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Everything is in place for Gabe to come in and show his potential abilities and end up being a great bargain. But I will still remain cautiously optimistic until he proves it.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:05 am
Gabe is a great pick up for a 6th round pick. Great for depth. Also, could replace one of our high priced gaurds…. in a few years if Gabe can blossom under our OL guru. Thats a big if. At worst, we upgraded our depth for a 6th rd pick. Great move.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:13 am
It is foolish Joe. Joseph has never been anything more than mediocre in any facet since 09. Yet I remember he was the 2nd highest paid Guard when he signed his new contract.
That, is what is called “foolishly being in love”.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:20 am
Personally, I think Carimi might be the long-term answer at RT… but I also think the long-term answer at LT could be Dotson. Think about it. Dotson has elite length and athleticism for an OT… and is a little underpowered. He has the make-up to be an elite LT. Penn looks a lot more like a RT than LT anyways… heck, he LOOKS a lot more like an OG than OT.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:25 am
Why is everybody always hating on Penn? Is it because he’s not flashy? All the guy does is shutdown elite defensive ends all day long.
June 10th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Does anyone know Joseph’s cap numbers over the next three years?
He could be a cap casualty later down the line if his numbers get too big…
Isn’t carimi too tall to play inside??? 6″8 is very tall for a guard.
Really can’t wait to see Nicks this year. Fully healthy he will be an animal!
June 10th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@Brandon
You beat me to it. I was thinking the same thing. I think Dotson makes a better LT than Carimi could. If/when Penn is injured/retired I can see Dotson on the left and Carimi on the right. Until then though we should have decent G/T depth. We now have three fairly talented (or experienced) backups in Meredith, Larsen, and Carimi.
Also, I don’t understand all the hate on Davin. The guy is great when he lines up. I am in the camp of people that believe offensive lineman have their best years in their 30’s.
@Big Rob
Agreed, Penn shuts out the best, game in and game out and gets zero respect. (Or at least nowhere near as much as he deserves.)
June 10th, 2013 at 11:47 am
A backup plan in contract years is never a bad thing. Glennon/Freeman, Carimi/Penn…while we are at it….we provide some depth. After all, we know that injuries happen.
Just think….we still have Myron waiting in the wings to replace Revis, if necessary!!!
June 10th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Words more evil have never been spoken.
June 10th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
@ WestCoastBucsFan
We must be keeping him for some reason…perhaps bulking up and going to TE….
June 10th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
I’m not sure how much of an impact a 6’2″ tight end can have but okay.
In all seriousness, I do agree that he is still employed for a reason. Its just that nobody knows why yet. I expect that we will find out the future of Myron as a Buc by the end of training camp.
June 10th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
^^*suspect not expect.^^
*facepalm*
June 10th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
jvato24 Says:
“Since when is 30 old for OL?? I have seen some OL have the bulk of probowls in their 30s.”
It’s because injuries become more likely once players hit their 30s, except for maybe QBs and Kickers.
And so far as Pro Bowls, most players are selected because of the press they get, not because they earned it (with some exceptions).
June 10th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Did quite a bit of research on Carimi and I too think he may be a guard. I dont think he’s fast enough to keep up with the OT position. But he should be able to play guard pretty well. The injuries with Joseph had me worried about a backup there too. Well, looks like we may have it answered now.
If we dont try to trade up for Clowney next year, I hope we get an OT early.
June 11th, 2013 at 6:14 am
It’s funny how players that don’t have the feet for tackle are moved inside to guard, somewhat as a last resort, before moving permanently to the bench. At 6′-7″ this guy would be a pretty tall guard. Let’s hope he returns to form at RT and Dotson, with his long arms and quick feet, could cross-train a little more at LT. Hard to criticize this trade because of the bargain price.