Gabe Carimi to Return for Mandatory Minicamp

Much was made of Gabe Carimi's decision to skip out on OTAs to privately work out in Arizona. After all, he was the final first round pick of the Jerry Angelo regime and currently treads on some unshaky ground - is he damaged goods from the knee injury he suffered in his rookie year? And where does he stand in the right tackle battle? Does he move to right guard instead?

But, according to "a source close to the situation," Carimi won't be skipping out on mandatory minicamps taking place next week. Which is considered a good thing. Considering there's over sixty-six-thousand reasons why someone would want to be at mandatory minicamps:

Carimi left the team following the conclusion of the Bears' voluntary three-day minicamp in April and returned to Arizona to continue his offseason training, opting to skip the second phase of the club's offseason program and all 10 organized team activities. But next week's minicamp is mandatory, and Carimi could be fined up to $66,150 if he misses all three workouts.

Phil Emery also said that during Carimi's absence, he was in contact with the lineman and trainer LaCharles Bentley:

"We've talked to Gabe and the individual who's training him. So yes, we're talking to him," Emery said. "We'd like all our players to be here, but Gabe made a decision that was best for Gabe so every individual player has to make those decisions. [Organized team activities are] voluntary, and we're going to respect that and we're going to respect Gabe in his decisions."

So, we'll probably see where Carimi fits into the team's plans starting next week, and if he lost any standing with the club by going to Arizona.