Clayton: Robert Gallery is best option for Seahawks in free agency
May 19, 2011, 6:22 PM | Updated: 6:38 pm
By Michael Simeona, MyNorthwest.com editor
Whenever the NFL lockout ends, expect the Seahawks to make a run for Oakland Raiders guard Robert Gallery (above) in free agency, according to ESPN NFL analyst John Clayton.
“The big name is still going to be Robert Gallery at guard,” Clayton said of potential free agent options for the Seahawks on Thursday’s Kevin Calabro show. “If they have a chance to get him and complete the offensive line, you can see that’s the big thing that they want to try to get done this offseason.”
The Seahawks have put a major emphasis on rebuilding their offensive line since the end of the 2010 season.
Head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider spent their top two selections in the draft on OT James Carpenter and OG John Moffitt to help reinvigorate a once-prominent run game. Since leading the league in rushing in 2005 – RB Shaun Alexander’s MVP/Super Bowl season – the Seahawks have failed to have a running back rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
While free agent’s such as Philadelphia QB Kevin Kolb and Minnesota DE Ray Edwards may also be on the Seahawks radar, Clayton believes the previous working relationship between Gallery and new OL coach Tom Cable – Gallery’s former coach with the Raiders – will be more than enough for the former first round pick to choose Seattle.
“You know he’s got a great relationship with Tom Cable (and) I think he’d like to stay on the west coast,” said Clayton.
“I think there’s a fondness for coming up with Tom Cable in Seattle.”
