Raiders coach: Gallery is likely Pro Bowler

Everyone in Iowa saw Robert Gallery as the nation's best offensive lineman. Some might have called him the greatest Hawkeye of them all.

Gallery didn't allow a sack in his final 36 games. He was a consensus All-American at tackle and earned every award possible for a collegiate offensive lineman. He graded a perfect 9.0 entering the 2004 NFL draft and was selected by the Oakland Raiders second overall.

But Gallery never caught much traction in Oakland. Three coaches in three years with three different systems caused him nothing short of missed blocks and multiple penalties. He was labeled by most as a bust and his name often brought laughter around NFL draft time. Last year, under new offensive line coach Tom Cable, Gallery played well at left guard. Gallery still had too many penalties (17) but was among the top half in his position in the league.

This year, Gallery is playing at a Pro Bowl level and some consider him dominant. Cable replaced Lane Kiffin as the Raiders' head coach and bestowed high praise upon the former East Buchanan product.

"Once he ... goes to the Pro Bowl, people will evaluate him for who he is, what he has become," Cable told the Contra Costa Times.

Here's the entire article that appeared in Thursday's edition:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_10799203?nclick_check=1