Wisconsin native Carimi bummed to be missing Pack game
As a Wisconsin native, Bears offensive tackle Gabe Carimi was looking forward to facing the Packers today, but the partially dislocated knee he suffered against the Saints will probably keep him sidelined for at least another couple weeks.
“I was pretty excited just because being a Wisconsin guy,” this year's first-round draft pick said. “But we get to play them again (Christmas night), so I'm looking forward to then.”
Offensive line coach Mike Tice referred to Carimi as an “elite player,” and the rookie was playing well before his injury last week.
“I graded out really well while I was in there,” he said. “I've been feeling like I'm getting better and better and on a roll and just (wanted) to keep on improving my game. You get these things in life and you just keep on rolling with it. This is just a little speed bump.”
Carimi has already begun rehabbing his injury and is doing what he can to avoid falling behind.
“I get to watch a ton of film now,” he said, “so I'm just using whatever time I can to improve myself in whatever way.”
On the run: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't draw any comparisons to Michael Vick when it comes to running with the ball, but he's rushed for more than 300 yards in each of the previous three seasons as a starter.But the Bears are much more concerned with his arm, considering he's tossed 91 TDs vs. just 31 interceptions since the start of the 2008 season.#8220;He's very poised,#8221; linebacker Lance Briggs said. #8220;For a guy who hasn't started that many years, he has a crazy amount of poise in the pocket. He's got some quick legs too. The guy gets out of the pocket and he can outrun a lot of guys. #8220;So he's dangerous in a lot of ways. He's accurate (throwing) on the run, he's accurate in the pocket, and so the best way to stop that is to get him down before he can throw the ball.#8221;Step right up:With Earl Bennett out at least for this week with a chest injury, undrafted rookie Dane Sanzenbacher's role increases as the slot receiver in three-WR sets.#8220;Injuries are part of it, as you can see just about every position on our team has had an injury,#8221; coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;It's like that each week. Each year you go through things like that, and the next guy knows his number could be called at any time, and you can go from being a role player to one of the guys that we're really counting on each down. Dane has seemed like he's been a part of what we've been doing since training camp.#8221;Happy returns:Opponents have limited Devin Hester to 10 yards on 2 punt returns with 3 fair catches so far, and he's averaged just 20.0 yards on 5 kickoff returns.#8220;We are definitely close, but what's close and what's far,#8221; coach Lovie Smith said. #8220;I just know that return game-wise, we have to get it going. We haven't gotten any production from our returns, but with Devin Hester, with the greatest returner of all time back there, it's just a matter of time, and hopefully it'll be this week.#8221;Follow Bob's Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.