Lovie Smith Stands By Gabe Carimi After Rough Game
(CBS) In the midst of a blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, one key offensive player struggled.
Right tackle Gabe Carimi was flagged for back-to-back false starts in the third quarter, stalling a 17-play drive that eventually resulted in a field goal. He was also guilty of a holding penalty earlier in the game and gave up at least one sack.
"All of us would like some plays back yesterday," head coach Lovie Smith said Monday at Halas Hall. "Sometimes an offensive tackle stands out a little bit more, but Gabe's a good football player. Yeah, there were a couple plays he would like to have back, but again, a lot of us would. He's our guy and his play will only get better and better."
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Smith was quick to point out that Carimi is still learning on the job after sitting out most of his rookie year with a knee injury. Overall, the head coach is happy with the progress on the offensive line.
"Our sack totals are down and we are running the ball better," Smith said. "It starts up front. When we weren't doing some of those things, they were really criticized a lot so we have to praise them some now for the job they've done."
The Bears ran for 214 yards Sunday as a team with an average of 6.5 yards per carry. Matt Forte accounted for 107 rushing yards on 22 carries.
