The Raiders offensive lineman struggled mightily in 2006.
By Jason Jones - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:50 am PDT Friday, March 30, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/146710.html
ALAMEDA -- Before he could move on to the 2007 season, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin took
Robert Gallery on a painful trip down memory lane.
There are plenty of bad memories for a player believed to be a future Pro Bowl offensive tackle when he was taken second overall in the 2004 draft. Handed the starting left tackle job last season, Gallery was bullied by defensive ends, struggled with his technique and missed six games because of injuries.
Pro Bowl? Was he even the best lineman on his team? Kiffin's message to Gallery: Let the healing begin and move on.
As offseason workouts progress at Raiders headquarters, rebuilding Gallery's confidence, along with the rest of the offense, is a priority.
Before Gallery could worry about a new offense, Kiffin needed to let Gallery vent.
"We had to ... take him back," Kiffin said at the NFL owners meetings this week. " 'Let's talk about last year. Let's go through it, Robert. OK, end of the meeting. All right Robert, it's done. No more talking about it.' "
Gallery still must earn his playing time and will work at left and right tackle in the offseason. That's fine with him. He's just glad Kiffin isn't holding last season against him.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," Gallery said Thursday. "He said it before I even had to. ... It's over -- we're on to new things."
Gallery admitted what has happened in his first three seasons has worn on him.
"It takes a little bit of your pride, but that's why you're a competitor," he said. "If I thought it was OK, then I shouldn't be standing out here, trying to play football."
Kiffin said every Raider has a clean slate and that it's important Gallery not dwell on the past.
"It's over. You can't do anything about that anymore, and you've got to erase it," Kiffin said. "It's no different than any player, a quarterback or a (defensive back) erasing the last play. You've got to erase the last season."
Gallery took the advice to heart, addressing the notion he would be better off at right tackle.
"I played one year, and I don't even count last year as a left tackle. It was what it was. We're not worried about that. We're worried about what's going on now."
What's going on now is what Kiffin would classify as a good start to his regime. He said more than 90 percent of the roster is participating in voluntary workouts.
Gallery knows he must beat out Barry Sims, the former starter at left tackle, if he wants to stay there.
Sims was moved to guard to give Gallery a shot at left tackle in what turned out to be a forgettable debut at the premier offensive-line spot.
Gallery said he's ready to earn it back.
"If I was handed the job, I wouldn't feel right," he said. "I want to compete. It excites me. That's what this game is about -- it's about competing, earning a job, and in the past there may have been times we've been told this is how it's going to be and you didn't have a chance for that competition. They've brought in guys to compete at every position, and we're looking forward to it and we'll see in August."
03-31-2007, 11:41 AM
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