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Galloway Declares Himself 'Ready To Go'

Tribune photo by JAY CONNER

Joey Galloway says he's fully recovered from a shoulder injury that hampered him late in the 2007 season.

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 6, 2008

Updated: 06/06/2008 05:55 am

TAMPA - Joey Galloway isn't seeking sympathy, just a little understanding.

The last time Bucs fans saw the game-breaking wide receiver on the sidelines, Galloway and Coach Jon Gruden appeared to be involved in a heated conversation during the late stages of Tampa Bay's 24-14 playoff loss against the Giants.

Thursday, the 36-year-old speedster declared himself fully recovered from offseason surgery to repair a left shoulder injury that rendered him ineffective and frustrated in that elimination game.

"It's fine, it's ready to go," Galloway said. "I have a lot of confidence in our medical staff here. It was pretty smooth and the rehab was pretty smooth."

Galloway injured his left shoulder at San Francisco on Dec. 23 and was inactive in the regular-season finale against Carolina.

He was limited to one catch for 9 yards in a playoff setback that ended Tampa Bay's season at 9-8 and dropped Galloway to 0-4 in the playoffs.

"A lot of people saw the exchange between me and Coach at the end of the game and sort of made that into something between me and him - when really it was something between me and myself," Galloway said. "I was disappointed in the way it ended. To have to go into the biggest game of my career and not be able to go the way I wanted to is sort of hard to put into words."

Following surgery to repair some tearing in the labrum and rotator cuff, he is eager to defend the NFC South title.

"We're all pretty excited right now," he said. "We're coming off a pretty solid season and we need to build on that."

Although Jeff Garcia is bristling about his current contract, Tampa Bay's starting quarterback continues to participate in the offseason program at the team facility.

"We all understand the business of the game," Galloway said. "As much as you see in the papers about what he's saying, Jeff's out here working as hard as anyone, so it hasn't disrupted anything we've done on the field. We know he's a winner, how badly he wants to win."

What if Garcia stages a holdout at training camp?

"We would be disappointed if he's not there, but we would understand if he's not there," Galloway said.

BUCS BITS: The Rams claimed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who was released by Tampa Bay a week ago. The Bears and Raiders also put in claims for the former sixth-round pick out of Toledo. ... The Bucs expect a grievance hearing later this month and are seeking $7 million in bonuses from quarterback Jake Plummer, who was obtained from Denver last year for a 2008 seventh-round draft pick. Plummer, currently living in Idaho, claims he is retired.

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