Gabe Carimi Only Chicago Bear To Skip First Day OTA’s

August 18, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (72) sits on the bench during the second half against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Redskins 33-31. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Chicago Bears starting their first day of Organized Team Activities, a player who could possibly be on the bubble when it comes to being cut, was a no show.

Gabe Carimi, a former 2011 first round draft pick out of the University of Wisconsin, was an Outland Trophy winner in 2010. An award given to the best interior lineman in college football, was the hopeful piece of this struggling offensive line that the Chicago Bears were hoping for. During his rookie season, he dislocated his knee in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. He was placed on the injured reserve and missed the rest of his rookie season.

And with the offensive line still struggling, Carimi had some issues himself as he was benched as the right tackle and was expected to be replaced by Jonathan Scott. In Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, Lance Louis and Chris Spencer both suffered injuries, in an offensive line who still struggled on a week to week basis. I mean they had their moments of getting their assignments correct and opening some running lanes for the half back, or giving Cutler a solid pocket and enough time to get rid of the ball to find his target.

Now with the Chicago Bears signing Jermon Bushrod, Matt Slauson and drafting Kyle Long, the competition for roster spots on this offensive line is going to heat up. The NFL has a rule that OTA’s aren’t open to any rookies, due to their college sessions still going on.

The work outs are optional, but like I said, with the moves the Bears made this off-season and in the draft when it comes to this offensive line, you should attend every available work out you can. This team needs a solid offensive line if they have any hopes to reaching the post season, the defense can’t always play the part of the offense and score points.

Don’t get me wrong, as a member of the Chicago Bears faithful, it is exciting to see the defense get take away’s and turn them into 6 points. But with a new look offense, the coaching staff completely new and having new faces on this  line, everything needs to be on point and consistent. You can’t stay consistent if you don’t show up to work out with your fellow teammates. Especially if you are a first round pick from a few seasons ago.

Carimi attended a three day mini-camp in April from the 16th to the 18th, but it is doubtful he will be there today at the Chicago Bears training facility as work outs continue. He reportedly told the Bears officials that he planned to sit out the next phase of team activities, as he is doing his off-season training in Arizona. So when it comes down too it, I hope what he is doing in Arizona is working and helps him keep his job. This line needs as much help as they could get and I’m sure the coaching staff for this offense, including head coach Marc Trestman, still believe Carimi can help hold this offensive line together.

Or at least, Gabe Carimi should hope so.