“The Guy They Feel More Comfortable With”
August 16th, 2013
Gabe Carimi will land the right tackle job, predicts a Bucs beat writer.
Tampa Bay Times Bucs beat scribe Rick Stroud believes former 2011 Bears first-round pick Gabe Carimi will unseat Demar Dotson for the starting right offensive tackle job.
Stroud made the call this morning on The Sports Page on WDAE-AM 620. (Audio below.) Regarding Carimi, Stroud explained that he believes “that’s really the guy they feel more comfortable with.” Stroud cites Carimi’s recent increased practice with the first team and the presence of Bob Bostad, Carimi’s college coach at Wisconsin who now leads the Bucs’ O-line.
Joe can’t make this call yet. However, if Carimi is named the starter and is effective, then rockstar general manager Mark Dominik pulled off quite a coup securing Carimi for a sixth-round pick.
Dotson did sign a barely-starters-money contract extension this offseason, and he was the weak link on the Bucs’ line last season, though Greg Schiano, Davin Joseph and Bostad were all on record praising him in the spring and early summer.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Dont see it at all. Very short sighted in my opinion. Carimi has some versatility on the line and will most likely take over another spot when the cap casualties start occurring. Dotson will stay and develop at RT.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I watched Dotson play last preseason game and he looked really good. Ive also read some articles that said Dotson could end up being our best starting offensive lineman with the way that hes playing, so I dont really know where Stroud is getting this information from. it must be all speculation on his part.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I would agree with that last part Andrew 1. I have got the feeling that the organization is high on Dot and he and the team will be best served if he’s allowed to continue progressing at the RT spot as a starter. I haven’t heard anything from TC or saw anything from the first game to suggest Carimi is even a serious threat to Dot. In fact Dot played extremely well while Carimi was questionable at best.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:14 pm
@ BigSombrero
Agreed. I will be watching him even more now tonight.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
I’m kind of (kind’ve?) hoping Carimi does become a great Tackle. I was so excited when we got him for a sixth. I thought sweet Dom screwed the Bears again. Watching him and Clayborn going at it in college was great. I can’t fully remember but I think Clayborn didn’t have a very good day. That was the only game I’ve seen of his though. I didn’t pay attention to him in the Crows game. I forgot about him. Nothing against Dotson, I’m just hoping he lives up to his potential being back with his old coach, which was through the roof.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Doesn’t really matter, Dotson or Carimi, sounds like we got depth. If Nicks toe starts to act up Carimi can also play OG! I’ts all good!
August 16th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
I don’t recall Dotson getting bull-rushed until he’s flat on his back looking up at the sky.
Can’t say the same for Carimi… (See the first pre-season game against the Baltimore)
I’m not drinking the Kool-aid, I’m fine with Dotson sting for now…
August 16th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
with Dotson starting for now
August 16th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
So I just read that The Bucs are reportedly “losing patience with Bowers.” I have no clue what is going on at 1BP but wow, a lot of different opinions and conflicting reports coming from all over the place. Not sure how much of it is true and how much isn’t true but sheesh. Hard to believe someone can become so down on someone after just 1 pre-season game.
August 16th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
This is the time of the year when all the radio and print personalities try to one up each other and make predictions. Watch, whenever they make a prediction and it doesn’t come true they usually will hound the coach with question of Why?.
Like if Schiano keeps Dotson as his starting RT you’ll have Stroud questioning, almost telling Schiano that Dotson should be the backup or that Carimi should be the starter, etc. These guys hate it when they are wrong and they usually have a tantrum and try to convince their listeners that they themselves are right while the Coach doesn’t know what he’s talking about because he’s just a college coach after all.
Watch… happens every year. The beat reporters think they know what’s best for the team instead of the professionals who actually evaluate and decide.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Regardless what happens in that competition, you have to be happy with the Oline depth.
Dotson filled in for Penn on a few plays last year, and did well. He has a future here, or elsewhere if Carimi wins the battle in the short term.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:04 pm
I tend to think some drama is leaked or done purposely by the Bucs as smokescreens. The Bowers situation smells like that. Get teams to not plan for him and BAM their QB is on their back because they single blocked him.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
I don’t know about that Pete. Teams are going to watch the tape regardless of what the HC says. It might be a situation where they are just being honest or maybe they are being a little tougher on him to motivate him but I don’t think they are putting pressure on him to trick other teams. Wouldn’t really be effective.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Saw PR was saying Dotson has been the most dominant OL in camp and was a pretty much a lock at RT. Curious who has more insight.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
They may be grooming Dotson to take over for Penn as early as next year.
August 16th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Not if Dotson keeps playing like he did in the first preseason game.
August 16th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
PR has been reporting that Dotson has been the most impressive offensive lineman in TC in terms of pass protection. IMO, if Penns play falls off for any reason, Dotson has the quick feet to make the transition to the other side.
I think the more likely scenario is that Carimi is a replacement for the interior O-line. If Nicks’ bum toe is worse off than we’ve all been lead to believe (granted, I’ve only got a sinking feeling in my gut to back up that statement) then that would strengthen my theory. Time will tell, and I’m really hoping big 77 can be a healthy contributor for several more years.
August 16th, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Aldon smith is smiling , said he can’t wait…..how many sacks did he have against Carimi last year ? 4 or 5
August 16th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
@ Kevin – Exactly. Carimi has versatility and good upside. He can be moved inside to guard if Nick’s toe becomes a serious issue or if Joseph becomes a cap casualty.
August 16th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
@Junkie:
“Watch… happens every year. The beat reporters think they know what’s best for the team instead of the professionals who actually evaluate and decide.”
Kinda like most people here? Be careful throwing those stones. Not sticking up for Stroud but do hope you think about that statement.
Aren’t we all playing “beat reporter” in some way by prognosticating all things Bucs the way we do?
August 16th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
^^^ this is true but this is my only bully pulpit. They have a bigger soapbox than me. 🙂
August 16th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Just like the draft; half of what you hear is a smoke screen. Until they line up against the Jets it’s anyone’s guess who starts except for the very obvious.
August 16th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
I thought Dotson was lighting it up, and The Jewish Hammer would be play a reserve role, and give us some insurance at guard. Another starting spot battle to watch, I guess.
August 16th, 2013 at 7:44 pm
If Stroud thinks this then Dotson will definitely be the starter.