Gallery's body told him it was time to walk away.
New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) runs with the ball following the blocking of offensive lineman Robert Gallery (72) during practice on the second day of training camp at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Friday, July 27, 2012.FOXBOROUGH -- New England Patriots offensive lineman Robert Gallery announced his retirement Sunday amid a flurry of roster moves made by the team.
The Patriots also signed defensive back Derrick Martin and fullback Kareem Huggins. Fullback Tony Fiametta was placed on the exempt/left squad list, meaning that he left the team.
The Patriots signed Gallery, a veteran of eight seasons, as a free agent in March. The 32-year-old figured to serve as a backup on the offensive line, but his agent, Rick Smith, said that Gallery felt his body couldn't handle the abuse of another season.
Gallery, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft, played in 104 games with 103 starts between stops in Oakland (2004-10) and Seattle (2011).
Martin, 27, joins the Patriots after spending the last six seasons in Baltimore (2006-08), Green Bay (2009-10) and with the Giants in New York (2011). Martin played in 14 games last season and all four of the Giants' postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVI.
He has appeared in 61 games with four starts throughout his career, registering 42 tackles and three interceptions.
Huggins, 26, is a veteran of two NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-10). He has played in six NFL games and has carried the ball four times for 11 yards.
The Patriots signed Fiammetta, 25, as a free agent in March. He has run for 26 yards and recorded 73 receiving yards over his three seasons in the league.