The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have traded for Gabe Carimi, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. Carimi must pass a physical for the trade to be finalized. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Buccaneers will give up an unconditional draft pick for Carimi. The Bucs gave up a sixth-round draft pick in 2014, according to Adam Schefter.
The Buccaneers are likely interested in Carimi because they lack really any depth at offensive tackle, and they may want to push starting right tackle Demar Dotson. The latter was a decent starter last season, and has been consistently praised for improving his play this offseason. Jamon Meredith will be hard-pressed to make the roster at this rate: the offensive lineman was serviceable as a right guard last season, but has played poorly at tackle for most of his career.
Bucs offensive line coach Bob Bostad will be familiar with Carimi after coaching him at Wisconsin before joining the Bucs. He will be hopeful that he can get something out of Carimi that the Bears' offensive line coaches have not been able to get. Certainly Carimi has the talent to be a quality starter as he was widely regarded as an instant starter at right tackle going into the 2011 NFL draft.
Carimi has been a disappointment in Chicago after being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft. Carimi has struggled with injuries throughout his pro career and has had multiple knee surgeries, which will not make passing his physical routine. The right tackle started 16 games in his career but was benched for two games last season and has not played well.
This further signals the Buccaneers' commitment to winning now, after a series of high-profile moves including a trade for Darrelle Revis, which cost them two draft picks and a lot of money, as well as the signing of premier free agents like Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Dashon Goldson over the past two years.
Stay tuned as we will update this story when more details become available.
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