The Chicago Bears finished the 2012-2013 season 10-6 overall but fell just short of the playoffs. Parting ways with head coach Lovie Smith and bringing in former Canadian Football League Coach of the Year Marc Trestman, Chicago clearly wanted to go in a different direction despite hitting double digits in wins a year ago, something extremely difficult to do in the always-competitive National Football League.
Looking to bolster their roster across the board heading into the 2013-2014 campaign, ESPN reports the Bears sent 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2014 sixth-round selection. The offensive lineman has been plagued by injury throughout his short pro career, perhaps part of the reason why Chicago felt a parting of ways was necessary.
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Considered one of best offensive lineman in the nation his senior season at Wisconsin, the 6'7" Carimi won the Outland Trophy, an award given to the best interior lineman in the college game. The Lake Forest, Illinois native made 49 starts at left tackle in four seasons with the Badgers where he was also an All-American. Selected 29th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, Carimi was expected to be a key figure in bolstering a Chicago offensive line but through two professional seasons, the 24-year-old has not lived up to expectations.
While he was able to stay on the field throughout his four-year collegiate career, Carimi's overall NFL production has been seriously hindered by his nagging injuries. Dislocating his right knee cap during the early part of his rookie season, Carimi missed the remainder of the year because the damage required multiple procedures to fix. Starting the first 10 games in 2012, the lineman's knee was still not 100% but he was able to start all 10 games at the right guard position. The organization used Carimi as both a guard and tackle for the remainder of that season after Jonathan Scott took over the starting right guard duties before Week 11.
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Carimi was not present for Chicago's off-season program but was going to attend the upcoming mandatory mini camp. No longer a member of the Bears, Gabe Carimi will now travel to Tampa Bay where he'll undergo a physical.
The move to part ways with the offensive lineman won't come as a surprise to those who follow the Chicago Bears since Carimi was constantly battling injury and because Chicago bolstered their offensive line this off-season, signing left tackle Jermon Bushrod and veteran guards Matt Slauson and Eben Britton. The organization used its 2013 first round selection on former Oregon offensive guard Kyle Long and with linemen Edwin Williams, J'Marcus Webb, Jordan Mills and other capable bodies on the roster, the Bears felt dealing Carimi would suit the needs of both parties.
Chicago opens the upcoming season on September 8th at home against the Cincinnati Bengals while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play at the New York Jets to begin their 2013 campaign.
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