Hoge: No Reason Why Carimi Can't Play Left Tackle
By Adam Hoge-
(CBS) Before April's NFL Draft, most scouts were convinced Gabe Carimi was a right tackle at best. Some even thought he would be reduced to a guard eventually.
And, when the Bears drafted the former left tackle from Wisconsin 29th overall, they refused to say he would play on the left side, with offensive line coach Mike Tice providing the most detail by simply saying he envisioned Carimi playing on the outside.
The lack of verbal confidence in playing Carimi on the left side has been backed up by what we're actually seeing on the field. The Bears gave Carimi all of two practices to prove his worth on the left side before moving him to right tackle. That's not to say they don't like Carimi. The move to right tackle was actually a promotion as he was playing with the twos on the left side.
But what's of bigger issue here is that J'Marcus Webb, who played well enough at right tackle last year, is now struggling mightily at left tackle. He was arguably the worst performer on the team in the Bears' first preseason game against the Bills and he struggled in practice for most of last week. I saw two of those practices in person in Bourbonnais and everyone from Julius Peppers to Mario Addison (who?) was getting by Webb.
Meanwhile, Carimi -- who has by no means been perfect -- is growing at right tackle and played very well against the Bills. He's still having issues with Peppers, but that's probably more of a reflection of how good Peppers is than of how bad Carimi might be. The rookie is essentially playing right tackle for the first time in career, having been a dominant four-year starter at left tackle at Wisconsin and he appears to be catching onto the position quite quickly.
So if Carimi can pick up a new position so easily, doesn't that suggest he could probably play his normal position adequately at the NFL level? Why are the Bears being so stubborn with Webb on the left side when they know he can play well on the right side?
One of the excuses of keeping Carimi on the right side is that he lacks the physical ability and technique to play left tackle. I beg to differ. From what I've seen, Carimi's physical ability and technique has been above average in the midst of learning a new position.
I talked to Carimi in detail last week about the adjustments he has had to make moving from left to right and while he attempted to prove he's just fine on the right side, it actually made me think about how he could help the Bears more on the left side.
"There's always going to be adjustment when you move from left to right," he said. "There's different strengths in the legs and different things you have to do reaction-wise. Overall, it's getting better. I'm getting more endurance in my kick leg -- getting more strength in my left leg to kick faster. It's only a matter of time."
So basically Carimi is kicking with a weaker leg on the right side and still playing well enough. Move him back to the left and that kick will be even stronger. The Bears know he can run block on both sides, but moving him to left tackle would actually make his technique more sound.
As for physical ability? Webb might have more of the physical tools, but they clearly aren't helping him. Why not give Carimi a shot at the position he knows best?
And don't think this has anything to do with Carimi adjusting to the "Martz system" from the incorrectly labeled "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense the Badgers play in Madison. Wisconsin averaged over 21 passes per game last season and the Badgers' offense is one of the most pro-like offenses in college football.
Don't believe me? Just ask Carimi.
"We have gap plays, we have outside plays, we have zone plays, we have slide protection, we have man protection," he said. "I mean, it's the same thing (as Wisconsin), just named something different. Little different rules here and there."
Want another reason why Carimi would be a better option at left tackle? He's probably already the most confident, intelligent, hardest worker on the offensive line. His work ethic has always been top notch, his confidence has only been questioned because some think he's too cocky and oh yeah, he holds an engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin.
No disrespect to Webb -- who again, would be great on the right side -- but the knock on him coming out of college was that he "has all of the physical tools but work ethic and intelligence are major issues," according to a CBSSports.com scouting report. Let's keep in mind he failed at Texas because of academic issues and his physical tools are the only reason why he was even drafted in the seventh round -- a far cry from 29th overall.
Unfortunately, those physical tools aren't working on the left side.
It's time to give your first round draft pick a shot at playing left tackle -- you know, the position he's been playing his whole life.
For live Bears updates during tonight's game, follow Adam on Twitter (@AdamHogeCBS).
Adam is the Sports Content Producer for CBSChicago.com and specializes in coverage of the Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks and college sports. He was born and raised in Lincoln Park and attended St. Ignatius College Prep before going off to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a Journalism degree. Follow him on Twitter @AdamHogeCBS and read more of his columns here.
