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Bucs' Galloway puts his playoff injury and tantrum behind him

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, June 6, 2008


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TAMPA — Joey Galloway has lousy timing. Even he admits as much.

Take, for example, the left shoulder injury that severely limited the receiver in the Bucs' playoff game last season.

For a player who has been the team's most consistent game-breaker the past several seasons, you barely knew he played against the Giants after his one reception for 9 yards in the 24-14 loss.

Mounting frustration, he said, is what led to a blowup at the end of the game and his decision to leave the field with more than three minutes remaining.

"It would be hard for me to explain," Galloway said Thursday. "I've tried to explain it a couple of times, and I realize it's difficult. A lot of people saw the exchange between me and Coach (Jon Gruden) and sort of made that into something between me and him when it really was something between me and myself. I was really disappointed with the way it ended.

"To have to go into the biggest game of my career and not be able to have it go the way I wanted it to is sort of hard to put into words."

Six months later, Galloway has put the injury and the sideline episode behind him.

He proclaimed himself 100 percent healthy while making his first public comments in some time, indicating that surgery to repair damage to his labrum and rotator cuff was successful. That might be the biggest offseason development at receiver for a team that elected not to upgrade much at a position that lacks quality depth.

After completing the week's final offseason practice, Galloway said he believes he can continue to defy Father Time, who seemingly has forgotten he will be 37 on Nov. 20. An ambitious personal training regimen and a smart diet are perhaps the biggest reasons Galloway has turned in six 1,000-yard seasons.

"I have more than just a little gray in my beard," he quipped. "I don't know that I've avoided (the effects of age). I can't say that I've even paid attention to it. The only time my age comes up is when (the media) brings it up, and then there are certain aches and pains that come along with playing this long in the NFL. … I get up and work every single day like I always have. As long as I continue to do that, I don't know if I'll face that wall."

GARCIA CONTRACT TALKS: Jeff Garcia said in a radio interview this week that retirement is an option if his contract dispute isn't resolved.

The 38-year-old quarterback was referring to 2009 when he mentioned the possibility of retiring during an interview with Sirius NFL Radio. Garcia, who will earn $2-million in base salary this year, wants a new deal. He is under contract for this season but would be a free agent after it's over.

"It may come to not even playing football anymore," he said in the interview. "And I'd hate to even say that, but I feel like when you mistreat people, there comes a time when it doesn't matter how much money you're going to be paid. If you're not being treated the right way, it's going to lead to some drastic decisions, and those decisions may just take me away from the game."

GRADKOWSKI TO RAMS: Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, released last week, was claimed off waivers by the Rams. St. Louis will take on the final two years of his contract. Gradkowski, entering his third season, will join quarterbacks Marc Bulger, Trent Green and Brock Berlin, the latter of whom Gradkowski is likely to compete against for the No. 3 spot.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.



[Last modified: Jun 11, 2008 04:06 PM]



Comments on this article
by CB Jun 11, 2008 4:06 PM
Sue and bdiddy. The article was not clear, but Garcia is negotiating for a contract AFTER his current one expires in a year. He is suggesting that he may just retire AFTER this contract runs out if they do not re-sign him.
by CB Jun 11, 2008 4:05 PM
Garcia intends to fulfill his current contract. The issue is concerning his future with the team AFTER his current contract expires. Garcia is handling this the right way!
by DV Jun 9, 2008 1:35 PM
Using Garcia Logic, I can now move out of my home and not worry about having to pay my mortgage... cuz I don't wanna. Thanks Jeffy!
by SD Jun 8, 2008 9:14 AM
Yes - Jeff I agree. I can't possibly imagine having to work for a mere 2 million a year. Hope you save most of your previous income. Social Security doesn't pay very well... Nor does an NFL pension
by bdiddy Jun 6, 2008 8:07 PM
Now Garcia is staring to be annoying. He still has a year left on his contract and he is saying retirement is an option if his contract isn't negotiated
by Alex Jun 6, 2008 8:07 PM
Good for Bruce. I wish him well, and I'm happy he's landed somewhere he can compete. Shouldn't be much trouble knocking Berlin off the depth chart. That guy is a traitorous no-talent clown.
by Duane Jun 6, 2008 8:01 PM
After losing Galloway against the 49ers and then Cato June to the Panthers, I still can't understand why people question Gruden's decision to play his starters sparingly in the final two games. Galloway for MeShawn, what a trade that was!
by Lou Jun 6, 2008 8:01 PM
Maybe Jeremy Stevens would benefit from hanging with Joey Galloway every minute of every day and emulating his work as well as character ethics. Should help once he's cut and on the way to another team, possibly arena football!
by Ian Jun 6, 2008 8:00 PM
Bruce Allen is a fool for not making our starting QB a happy man. He should be going into training camp with a passion to win and love for his team not a grudge against the front office that has gone on so long that he is mulling retirement.
by Sue Jun 6, 2008 7:47 PM
Tough Garcia you signed a contract now live with it. You did not take this team to the playoffs. Graham and the defense did that. Dont pat your own back to hard you might just get hur;
by derek Jun 6, 2008 7:39 PM
galloway is the man,give jeff more money,and good luck to gradkowski
by Timothy Jun 6, 2008 7:24 PM
Thanks for your very informative article concerning Joey G. We all have those inward battles his have only taken 6 months to get rid of...some take a lifetime. Enjoy all of your articles. Tim
by david Jun 6, 2008 7:18 PM
Mike, you want real reporting and actual info on the OTA's, join Pewter Report and see the difference actual journalists make (as opposed to the hype mongering hacks that write for the Times/Trib)
by Mike Jun 6, 2008 1:54 PM
Thanks for the info today Stephen. I bashed you yesterday and I'll praise you today. I would love to see more info like this on a regular basis. Maybe a little more about the OTA today?
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