Nobody doubts Thomas, but how is he 'different' than Gallery?

INDIANAPOLIS -- I'm not sure what you like more about Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas: his allegiance to perfection or his insistence that he's no Robert Gallery, the can't-miss prospect from the 2004 draft who, well, missed in Oakland.

Thomas is the best offensive lineman in this year's draft, and, if all goes according to plan, should be gone after Detroit makes the second pick. That would make him the first offensive lineman to go that high since ... yep, since the Raiders made Gallery the second pick in 2004.

Joe Thomas could be drafted as high as No. 2 and no lower than fourth. (AP)

"I'm a different player than Robert Gallery," said Thomas at the opening of this year's NFL scouting combine. "I respect his game, and I really enjoyed watching him through college. But I think I'm definitely a different kind of player."

And that is supposed to be good.

Gallery, remember, was a dead-bolt cinch to make it big in the pros. He was massive. He was strong. He was productive. He was the franchise tackle that comes along once every few years, with Oakland in the right place at the right time.

Only he hasn't done anything with the Raiders. In fact, he's been such a bust that instead of comparing him to Tony Boselli people are starting to raise the flag of Tony Mandarich. So Thomas insisting that he's different than Robert Gallery is good ... right?

"Yeah, you'd think so," said one AFC scout, surveying a room with hundreds of reporters. "But ask any of these people here which one of them thought (Gallery) wouldn't be a star. And you won't find one of them to raise his hand."

Yet the question is worth asking: What makes Joe Thomas different? He's the guy who put it out there. So what about it?

"I think my technique is sound for an offensive tackle," said Thomas. "I think I've got a work ethic. I think I really study hard -- I study my opponent hard -- and I think I'm a really athletic offensive lineman. I'm trying to prove I won't settle for anything less than perfect."

Poll Where will Joe Thomas be drafted? 14% Later than No. 4   4% No. 1 to Oakland   60% No. 2 to Detroit   14% No. 3 to Cleveland   7% No. 4 to Tampa Bay   Total Votes: 5718

One scout conceded that in Wednesday night's discussions that Gallery's name was raised when the topic turned to Thomas. The question then was as it is now, with the club debating the risks of falling into another Gallery.

"Robert Gallery's in a little bit of a different situation," the scout said. "He's gone through all sorts of coaching changes. He's been hurt. And he switched positions. I don't know that I'd say it was all Robert Gallery's fault. He's been in a semi-impossible situation."

Plus, as one NFC offensive coordinator pointed out, if Gallery were exposed to the free-agent market tomorrow there would be a line of suitors waiting to sign the guy. If he's that bad, he asked, how come people remain interested? Answer: Because offensive linemen with Gallery's pedigree are hard to find.

Only we just found one.