Raiders' Gallery ready for fresh start

[raider07]

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."

[cad]

Gallery will benefit greatly from the new blocking scheme,

thanks for the link

and

welcome to Raiderfans.net

[RaiderSithLord]

I expect to see Gallary improve markedly.

[Mr.Murder]

Originally Posted by raider07

'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." '

[rdr17]

It cannot be underestimated how much it would mean to this team for Gallery to reach pro bowl status. I know that it might seem impossible now, but IF he and Grove were to develop as was thought when we drafted them, this team would be VERY GOOD very quickly. A Pro Bowl Tackle and Center would make The Raiders very competitive this year. That's all it would take (as if that's not much to ask).

A line with 2 pro bowlers would make the QB and the RB immediately better. Couple that with better coaching and system, and this team would compete for the Lombardi by 2008.

I really hope that Cable can whip this line into shape and get them playing up to their abilities. If that happens the Raiders will take a giant step forward.

This article is encouraging.

[skitznick69]

Originally Posted by rdr17

It cannot be underestimated how much it would mean to this team for Gallery to reach pro bowl status. I know that it might seem impossible now, but IF he and Grove were to develop as was thought when we drafted them, this team would be VERY GOOD very quickly. A Pro Bowl Tackle and Center would make The Raiders very competitive this year. That's all it would take (as if that's not much to ask).

A line with 2 pro bowlers would make the QB and the RB immediately better. Couple that with better coaching and system, and this team would compete for the Lombardi by 2008.

I really hope that Cable can whip this line into shape and get them playing up to their abilities. If that happens the Raiders will take a giant step forward.

This article is encouraging.

Somebody rep this man because I can't due to spreading issues. I know a lot of us around here have been saying "Give Gallery one more year" at the start of every season but I think, nay, I believe he can be a probowler. Just needs the right system and right coaching because he has all the talent to succeed. BTW, Welcome to Raiderfans.

[RaiderInNY]

Cable will help...But the time is now for Gallery!

[raiderArt]

IMO Roberto has been babied since he's been here (part of my concern about if we draft Russell). I remember the story about Kromer putting him through some very physical drill during camp - kind of an extra session after everything else was over, and Al yelled at Kromer and made him stop. He needed that.

But also any lineman - including Gallery, is helped by a good QB and especially a running game. We haven't had either since he got drafted. We had Gannon for a few but unfortunately he was injured so I'm not really counting those couple of games they played together.

If you look closely at Gallery, he does a damn good job run blocking. The problem is Oakland cant run enough, defenses know it, and they send the farm knowing that we're passing (we havent even been able to set up the simple screen). he should have done better in one-on-one situations - at times he was just embarrassed and it wasn't even close.

If he cant turn things around this season and show drastic improvement i dont know if he ever will. I think gallery will have a good season though. not expecting probowl. just be solid.

[Cotillion]

Yeeah, whatever Robert. I've seen enough.

[RI Raider]

We don't need Gallery to be a pro bowl player (although it would be nice). All we need is for him to get his confidence back and just be a solid contributor. People rag on Sims but he is a warrior who gives it his all. It seems that he has a good year every other year. If Boothe continues to progress and Rumbling Red can pick it up a notch, we will be fine. If Newberry can play that is gravy. As far as Jake is concerned, I just don't see it. I think he will be hard pressed to be on our roster in another year (hopefully I am wrong). If we could get one starter from the draft we WILL be fine (we NEED Kalil). Couple this with better coaching and we will be on our way.

[zuberx6]

I'm glad to see he has the right attitude. He wants to earn the LT spot. heck ya!

[R8RFOX]

Originally Posted by RI Raider

We don't need Gallery to be a pro bowl player (although it would be nice). All we need is for him to get his confidence back and just be a solid contributor. People rag on Sims but he is a warrior who gives it his all. It seems that he has a good year every other year. If Boothe continues to progress and Rumbling Red can pick it up a notch, we will be fine. If Newberry can play that is gravy. As far as Jake is concerned, I just don't see it. I think he will be hard pressed to be on our roster in another year (hopefully I am wrong). If we could get one starter from the draft we WILL be fine (we NEED Kalil). Couple this with better coaching and we will be on our way.

Word!! I agree 100%

[3 Mile Lyle]

I am really liking Kiffins approach concerning last year.