Quite often the worth of a person is not fully realized until they are no longer there. In the case of the Raiders in recent seasons, it is never been more evident than in the case of Robert Gallery.

During the past couple seasons, the fans have taken for granted that the Raiders were a top ten rushing team. Usually the credit went to the zone blocking scheme or the running backs. And with a group of five Olineman up front working in sync, who is to say who is the most important part of that machine?

Here are a few facts to consider when attempting to theorize who might be the guy who brings it all together.

Last year the Raiders were tenth in the NFL in rushing--Gallery
started all 16 games at guard. In 2007 they were ranked sixth-- Gallery started all 16 games at guard. In 2006 the Raiders were ranked 29 in rushing-- Gallery didn't play guard and started 10 games at tackle. It doesn't exactly take a degree in quantum physics to figure out the connecting fibers there.

To add to the evidence, this season the Raiders have slipped to 28 in the league in rushing with less than 89 total rushing yards per game with Gallery having gotten hurt in the second game of the season. Their best game was in week one in which the Raiders rushed for 148 yards. Which, not coincidentally, was the only full game that Gallery played this season. Take that game away and the Raiders would rank 30 in the NFL with 69 rushing yards per game. But really it would be dead last because the two teams with lower rushing yards are the Cardinals and Chargers-- because they are both primarily passing offenses.

So as you can see, It has suddenly become fairly obvious that Gallery is the cog that makes the line function. In the past two seasons of running success, he was a stallwart and never missed a game. It took a while for anyone to give him any credit because the rest of the league was so busy calling him a bust and Raider fans were disappointed in him not being the can't-miss left tackle that he was advertised to be.

It is officially time to get over it. He is the starting left guard for this team and likely will be for a long time to come.

Besides, the Raiders did eventually find that left tackle they were looking for in Mario Henderson. Finding a winning formula doesn't always happen the way you had hoped or expected. But when it works, you don't question how it came together.

Gallery was drafted for his pass blocking skills but his intelligence and run blocking skill wasn't something anyone talked much about. He performs his zone blocking duties flawlessly and has his way with defensive tackles consistently. At this point, he is far too valuable clearing holes for the running backs to be playing tackle.

It is indeed time to get past all of the talk of "bust" and realize that, complete with the same number (76), the Raiders have the next Steve Wisniewski playing at left guard. Being put in that company is no small accomplishment considering that "Wiz" was an 8 time Pro Bowler, 2 time All-Pro and has been on the Hall of Fame ballot ever since he was elligable.

So if you want to use the word "bust" in reference to Robert Gallery from now on, how about we talk about the possibilities of his "bust" in Canton Ohio after his career is over.

Oh and by the way, I mentioned that the Raiders were ranked tenth and sixth in the NFL in rushing in ‘07 and ‘08. But do you know when the last time they were ranked in the top ten? 2000 (1) and 1999 (3). And who started every game at left guard in ‘99 and ‘00? Steve Wisniewski.

You know, in case you needed more proof.

Comments (7)

Totally agree!
written by abe, October 09, 2009

Gallery has become a stud at LG, a true worthy successor to the Wiz. I mean, Pears was manhandled in pass protection and pushed all over the field when run-blocking. Here's hoping Gallery comes back soon. I really don't see him as a bust anymore. Yeah he was picked no. 2 overall, but say if Steve Wisnewski was available in the draft today, knowing how good he was, wouldn't he be worth even the 1st overall pick???

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Absolutely Agree.
written by Hoops84, October 09, 2009

Gallery has been a stud LG. Very worth the pick and worth every penny. When Gallery was picked, if we had known he would pan out to be one of, if not the best Guard in all of football, he would have been picked in the top 10. Maybe not 2nd overall, but definitely top ten material.

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Well there`you go.
written by SnBsn69, October 10, 2009

What happened to the genius that drafted this guy? Is he dead? Did Davis fire him? Did the clandestine NRA (NFL Refs Agency) kidnap him? We should find out. We should find HIM. BECAUSE THT GUY WOULD HAVE DRAFTED US SOME FOOTBALLERS FROM 03=09!

I don't know which is worse:

"Big Mac" hands of to "McFumble"

or

"Big Mac" hands of to "McInjured"

If a reciever whose initials are DHB can't run the right route and doesn't remember where to line up in the formation, does that mean the initials stand for "Don't Have Brain?"

I watched Pears get manhandled all day last week. "Pears" isn't that the shape most associated with post menopausal women?

Headline: NFL aproves jersey rule. The NFL rules committee today approved the use of non numeral characters on official game jerseys. The Oakland Raiders are reportedly the first team to implement the characters in ana effort to as Al Davis, Managing General Partner says "Keep up with the times." Jersey changes submitted to the NFL this week included:

$$ Russel
?? Darrius Heyward Bey
?@! Darren McFadden
Nahmdi Asomugha

Star Wars:

Luke to Obiwan "Are you OK?"
Obiwan " I just felt a tremor in the force. As if millions of voices just cried out in terror..."
Luke "I guess The Raiders Pick first again."

You know what I find hard to comprehend? Over the years, every player on our team won the gene pool race. So that explains the fast guys. Every player was a high school stand out. That explains the fast guys. Every player excelled in collegiate sports. That explains the fast guys. But not every player excelled in football. THAT explains the fast guys.

I saw a post the other day on our coaching/QB carousel to the tune of the Hokey-Pokey. Now that was funny stuff. I want to visit Mr Davis and just Shake him all about!

If the Raiders were a MLB player with a 100 game streak of .250, they would bat 6th.

Oakland Alameda HQ. Phone rings.

Davis "hello"
Hanson "Mr D, Its me Randy"
Davis "yes"
Hanson "its the cops Mr Davis, they say their going to put Coach Cable away"
Davis "who is this?"
Hanson "its me Mr Davis RANDY HANSON"
Davis "oh right, what about the cable?"
Hanson "their gonna' lock him up! I could stop them if you give me my old job back."
Davis "what does cable cost me?"
Hanson "you got him on sale for the league minimum. Listen you gaotta' act fast!"
Davis "there's a sale? I want faster cable!"
Hanson "I'll handle it"

And that's how Head Coach Randy Hanson became the 8th coach to inherit the "Glory of the Raiders."

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Great
written by Fraskio, May 18, 2010

Good news, I will translate it into russian and post on my blog and dont worry I will leave a link to your site

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...
written by Poker, May 18, 2010

Gallery has been a stud LG. Very worth the pick and worth every penny. When Gallery was picked, if we had known he would pan out to be one of, if not the best Guard in all of football, he would have been picked in the top 10. Maybe not 2nd overall, but definitely top ten material.

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...
written by Poker, June 18, 2010

Gallery has been a stud LG. Very worth the pick and worth every penny. When Gallery was picked, if we had known he would pan out to be one of, if not the best Guard in all of football, he would have been picked in the top 10. Maybe not 2nd overall, but definitely top ten material.

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