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Jay Cutler Takes A Huge Sigh Of Relief

NFL Draft Countdown’s Scouting Report on Gabe Carimi:

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
• Decent strength and delivers a violent initial punch
• Polished technician with great hand use and footwork
• Intelligent with excellent instincts and awareness
• Very tough and willingly plays through pain / injuries
• Mature, hard working and is respected by teammates
• A ton of experience against top-notch competition

Weaknesses:
• Merely average athleticism, agility and balance
• Issues with speed and struggles to protect edge
• Not a knee bender, plays tall and leverage suffers
• Will too often gets caught reaching and leaning
• Falls off of blocks and does not sustain very well
• Has some trouble in space and at the second level
• Is not a finisher and may lack a killer instinct
• A history of injuries and durability is a concern

Notes:
Nicknamed “The Jewish Hammer”. Last name is pronounced “kuh-REE-mee” — A four-year starter and team captain for the Badgers — Named 1st Team All-Big Ten in 2009 and 2010 — 1st Team All-American in 2010 — Won the 2010 Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman — The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2010 — A civil and environmental engineering major who was named Academic All-Big Ten four straight years — Very committed to Jewish faith and fasts during Yom Kippur — Missed three games with a right knee injury in 2008 — Missed half of fall camp in 2009 with a right knee injury — Suffered left shoulder (AC joint) injury in 2009 — Actually replaced Joe Thomas, the #3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, at left tackle in Madison — 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

Russ’ Take: It’s not the entertaining pick.  As unexciting as it is, Carimi does fill a pressing need.  I was surprised he was available at 29.  Mike Tice can do wonders with this kid.  You have to protect your investment and franchise [Jay Cutler] so it makes all the sense in the world.  Oh, and they play in the vaunted NFC North, where fierce pass rushers abound.