Gabe Carimi Will Fight For Roster Spot
June 11th, 2013
While news of the Bucs grabbing former Bears 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi for a paltry sixth-round pick was met with virtual glee within the walls of One Buc Palace Monday, that was not the case among national pundits.
Take Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Kirwan, a former Bucs scout and Jets front office man, and Ryan, a former Bears defensive tackle, are not impressed with Carimi, a right tackle/right guard, in any way.
In fact, the duo had doubts Carimi will make the Bucs’ final roster cut of 53 come September.
Tim Ryan: When his technique breaks down he will break down physically. In his mind, he anticipated and projected he would be fine [coming off a knee injury his rookie year]. That certainly wasn’t the case. He will be fighting for a roster spot with the Buccaneers.
Pat Kirwan: He sure will be. Again this is the old – I am sure there are other teams, specifically Tampa Bay – that had a first-round grade on him coming out. They get the opportunity to take on a guy for a sixth-round pick, that’s not a problem for the. And they have the cap space. And they probably haven’t spent any money on him yet and they could probably release him at the end of camp if they want to and not be in the hole for anything. So, I get it. I know why they would do it. But there is a lesson to be learned here. He is not the first lineman to bounce around here. Can he beat out Demar Dotson?
Ryan: No.
Kirwan: No. Can he beat out…
Ryan: He can’t beat out anybody on that line.
Kirwan: Where is he as a swing player? Do you see him as an inside swing guy?
Ryan: Maybe that’s where his value is. I think he played better at guard but he has the ability to play the core positions.
Kirwan: I can see him making this team if he comes in there full of fire. If not, um, no harm no foul. You lose a sixth round pick. But to take a long summer peek at a guy, it’s probably worth it.
Like Kirwan said, Joe believes this is a no harm/no foul type of move by Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik.
The elephant in the room here that neither Kirwan nor Ryan factored in Carimi’s new position coach happens to be Bob Bostad, the very same guy who developed Carimi into an Outland Trophy winner and a first-round pick.
If anyone can resuscitate Carimi’s football life, Joe believes it will be Bostad.
June 11th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Great face for the game. I can see our o-line evolving more and more like New Englands line… with smart linemen who can think.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:05 pm
the opportunity of getting a first hand look at a recent first round pick with the possibility of resurrecting his career far outweighs the value of a 6th round pick. I say good move by the bucs.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Hey Joe!!!
Can you write something about Vonta leach? I personally feel like this would be a great addition to our smash mouth football. I know Lorig is doing good but I feel that would give the coach options, also perhaps Vonta helping Lorig for the future.
Thanks
June 11th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Dennis:
If the Bucs sign him, sure.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Fight for roster spot…I don’t think so…Dominiks ego alone won’t permit it. After all, we still have Myron aboard. Gave will get his shot.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Funny how these guys have no insight how the team/coaches feel about any of the back-up lineman yet are confident that Carimi can’t beat out any of them. Classic non-informed reporting at it’s best.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Gabe
June 11th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Actually the if Carimi does not make the roster or gets cut the Bucs are on the hook for his P5 salary ($1,016,458)as its fully guaranteed as part of his deal he signed as rookie.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Since we’re on this reclamation kick. I wonder if we’ll go after LG Danny Watkins with Philly.
Both Watkins & Carimi where highly regarded prospects leading up to the 2011 draft. Both have struggled for various reasons to get acclimated to life in the NFL. Maybe a change of scenery will bode well for him as well.
June 11th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
@ Dennis
Vonte Leach has been elected to 3 straight All-Pro teams. Why do the Ravens want to get rid of him all of a sudden?
June 11th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Because 4th round pick (fullback) Kyle Juszczyk out of Harvard- is a beast; and a cheaper option.
June 11th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
@J2.0
I feel like the offense is changing for the Ravens. They didn’t seem like that ground and pound football team last year and perhaps there will be changes in the system with the Flacco deal coming through.
Im more curious as to why Schiano would want him? I know we are trying to go with the youth but Vonta is still a beast at that position and it would be great to have a superbowl champ on the team.
June 11th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
The guy can play guard and tackle. Unless there are personal problems, the versatility alone is going to get him signed. Bucs admitted he is rusty, so I’d imagine the staff knows this will be a work in progress.
June 11th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
And if the Bucs didnt have such a boner for Lorig, Leach would be an amazing pickup