Robert Gallery's career is an important cautionary tale as the league's second batch of rookie minicamps kicks off Friday.
Gallery once was considered a budding star at offensive tackle -- drafted No. 2-overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2004 -- but his career never panned out like many envisioned. Gallery never made a Pro Bowl with the Raiders, and now he's looking forward to a fresh start with the New England Patriots after signing a one-year deal in March.
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"If you are drafted high, then you are going to have a lot put on you," Gallery told the Boston Herald on Thursday. "I mean it is what it is, that was a long time ago. Honestly, I don't really care. I'm going to come out and do the things that I know I can do and do the best with the situation that I'm in. You come in and whatever people think of you, to me it doesn't really matter.
"Obviously, it hasn't been ideal, but you play with the cards you are dealt," Gallery said. "I'm just glad for the opportunity to come to a place like this and still know that I've got a lot left in me."
Gallery likely will be used as an interior offensive lineman, according to the Herald, as Brian Waters' future with the team remains cloudy and Logan Mankins recovers from offseason knee surgery. Gallery missed four games last season with a groin injury, but he told the newspaper that he's healthy now.
"I've been told that they are going to put the best five guys on the field," Gallery said. "I'm going to be one of the best five guys, that's my goal. They are going to put guys where they see fit. ... I'm coming here like I have every place. I'm going in to earn a starting spot and there's a (lot) of things that go into that, staying healthy and performing well. But that's why I'm here. Everyone has their goals, and I came here to be a starter and contribute."
