The trade of offensive lineman Gabe Carimi from the Bears to the Buccaneers is official.
The Buccaneers made the announcement that they have acquired Carimi, who had been working out on his own this spring rather than join the Bears, in exchange for a sixth-round pick. Carimi will be reunited with Bob Bostad, who was the offensive line coach when Carimi played at Wisconsin and holds the same job in Tampa.
Carimi played well enough under Bostad to become the 29th overall pick of the 2011 draft, but his first two seasons as a professional featured more disappointments than shining moments. The Bucs would seem to hope that the change of scenery and familiar face on the coaching staff will be enough to get Carimi back on track.
If it does, he’ll have a shot to unseat Demar Dotson as the team’s starting right tackle and should, at least, earn a spot as a reserve capable of playing both tackle and guard. With right guard Davin Joseph is coming off a torn patellar tendon and Carimi did look better after moving to guard with the Bears last season.