Wiskconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi seems to be the player folks here at Big Blue View are interested in today. So, while we continue our series of 2011 NFL Draft prospect profiles, this seems like the perfect time to discuss Carimi, a 6-foot-7, 327-pound offensive tackle looked at as one of several tackles who should be first-round picks this April.
Here are some of the things that have been said about Carimi during Senior Bowl week.
From ESPN Boston:
"One of the things that has been impressive watching him here is his power base, his ability to lock on defenders and drive them. He is an excellent run blocker. He's not necessarily an elite athlete -- so you're not looking at an Orlando Pace-type franchise left tackle -- but he is a cornerstone guy who is long enough and has good enough feet to be your right tackle for 10 years.
From the Dallas Morning News:
Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi, a first-round candidate, worked out at guard and did well. Carimi considers himself first and foremost a tackle but is willing to play guard if that helps his draft status.
From CBS Sports:
Carimi (6-7, 315) has the size and physicality in the running game scouts like. He simply doesn't have the footwork to remain at left tackle.
Carimi has been moved inside to left guard more often than right tackle so far, limiting opportunities to evaluate him. Carimi's strength has given him some success inside.
Sounds like a solid guy who could be a good player in the league for a long time, just not at left tackle. So, if you have your heart set on a stud left tackle it doesn't seem like Carimi would be your guy.
There are a lot of teams hovering around this guy during Senior Bowl week, so we will see what happens. Anyway, full scouting reports (written before Senior Bowl workouts began) after the jump
Gabe Carimi
OT, Wisconsin
6-foot-7, 327 pounds
Scouting Reports
From Draft Countdown:
Strengths:
- Prototypical size with long arms and large hands
- Solid in pass pro with nimble feet to slide / mirror
- Fairly stout at point and gets good push in run game
- Polished technician with great hand use and footwork
Weaknesses:
- Merely average athleticism, agility and balance
- Issues with speed and struggles to protect edge
Overall:
Overrated blocker with all the tools to be a starter at the next level but is not the elite blindside protector and early first-rounder that some have made him out to be.
From Sideline Scouting:
Positives: Good athlete... Very solid pass protector... Ideal size and reasonably long arms... Very good strength... Reasonably good anchoring strength, holds up to bull rushers well... Reasonably good lateral movement and slide... Good position blocker... Stays on his blocks, adjusts reasonably well... Does a nice job staying in front of defender... Uses his hands well... Can control and manhandle defender once locked on... Good upper body strength.
Negatives: Inconsistent footwork in pass protection... Can be beat by speed... Bends at the waist, leans, reaches and lunges versus outside speed... Needs to work on establishing an anchor and maintaining his balance better... Doesn't always get great movement in the running game... Doesn't possess the consistent footwork to play left tackle in the NFL.