Bears coaches and most teammates are not the only ones who see some positives on the maligned offensive line. Tackle Gabe Carimi comes in at No. 5 on the list of Top 10 Breakout Players for 2012 compiled by longtime evaluator Gary Horton at Scouts Inc.
"He is the best player of this much-maligned unit, but he gives this O-line hope for the future," Horton assesses. "His 2011 season was cut short by knee problems, but he should be fine in 2012. He has good feet and athletic ability, and his long arms give him good separation from the defender.
He is also mentally and physically tough. While he seems to be most comfortable at right tackle, there is talk he could move to left tackle to protect QB Jay Cutler's blind side. Carimi and this entire unit will benefit from a shorter passing game in which the ball comes out quicker."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Going around the NFC, if Hortons projections are accurate, the Bears may indeed need a breakout year from Carimi. The Bears play a total of 10 games against teams with members of Hortons other NFC top 10ers:
1. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
2. Sean Lee, LB, Cowboys
3. Jason Kelce, C, Eagles
4. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings
5. Carimi
6. Rob Housler, TE, Cardinals
7. Titus Young, WR, Lions
8. Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints
9. K.J. Wright, LB, Seahawks
10. Robert Quinn, DE, Rams