Martin standing out as center of attention
Hunkered over the football at the line of scrimmage, Texans center Nick Martin hiked the ball to quarterback Tom Savage and managed to block not one, but two Arizona Cardinals defenders to create a pathway for running back Lamar Miller.
It was another demonstration of Martin’s emergence this season as a pivotal figure in the present and future of the Texans’ offense.
Following a rookie season lost to an ankle injury that required surgery last year, the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl offensive guard Zack Martin has been a technically sound fixture in the middle of the Texans’ offense.
“That didn’t take long,” said an NFL personnel executive speaking on condition of anonymity. “Martin’s already one of the best young offensive linemen in the league and a future Pro Bowl guy for sure. The Texans haven’t had a lot of luck in general with their offensive line, but they hit on this guy.
“That was a good pick. He’s smart, he’s tough. He’s a lot like his older brother. Not quite as versatile as his brother, but he can flat-out play.”
Martin is in constant motion except when he’s about to snap the football. He always hustles to the line after breaking the huddle.
He’s strong enough to jam his hands into the chest of opposing defensive linemen and shove them backward.
Started every game
And he’s athletic and coordinated enough to peel off and wall off a linebacker downfield to pick up a second block after initially shoving back a defensive lineman.
Martin has started every game this season and has consistently drawn high grades from the coaching staff.
“I think this is in many ways a rookie year for him,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I mean, he’s not a rookie anymore, but just relative to the injury last year.
“I think he’s gotten better and better every week.
“Very tough, very strong, athletic, smart. Everything that you’re looking for in a center. Great guy, love coaching him. He’s an important part of what we do.”
When Martin isn’t on the practice field, he maintains his intensity.
He’s always studying film, lifting weights or getting treatment. Martin doesn’t waste time when he’s at the training facility and is on a quest for selfimprovement.
“Absolutely, that’s the ultimate goal is to find one thing to work on every day to get better in practice and obviously in the games to do more and progress as the season goes along,” Martin said. “I’m really trying to improve on the run-game targets and continually in the passing game and be kind of hand-on. You’re either getting worse or better every day.”
A former second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, Martin was a threeyear starter and two-time team captain for the Fighting Irish.
This has been an especially meaningful season for Martin after having to watch his entire rookie season be erased when he was hurt during a blocking drill in a joint training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints.
“When you get hurt like that, are out for the whole year, you don’t take any day for granted,” Martin said. “You enjoy it and have fun with it.”
Signed to a four-year, $4.77 million contract that included $2.78 million guaranteed, Martin has run the 40-yard dash in 5.22 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times.
He’s a big center at 6-5, 300 pounds.
Tough test looms
Martin will need his strength and athleticism Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium when he grapples with heavyweight nose tackle Brandon Williams.
At 6-1 and 340 pounds and bench-pressing 525 pounds, Williams is one of the best, biggest and strongest interior defensive linemen in the game.
“This guy’s one of the best, if not the best, inside tackle, Brandon Williams,” O’Brien said. “Williams is, for a man his size, 340 pounds, 6-foot-2, 6-foot-3, he’s very light on his feet, very powerful, very quick. It’s a big challenge for Nick and everybody on the inside.”
As impressed as O’Brien is with Williams, the Ravens have a high opinion of Martin. They scouted him at Notre Dame and wound up drafting his former college teammate Ronnie Stanley in the first round and installed him as their starting left tackle.
“Nick Martin’s a guy we liked coming out of Notre Dame, very physical player, very tough,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “Very heady players, should be a good matchup.”
Martin has honed his blocking skills competing with Texans nose tackle D.J. Reader in practice.
“Going against D.J. is awesome,” Martin said. “I’m not going to see anybody better at that position. Those battles really help me.”
The Texans will have some choices during the offseason as they’re expected to try to upgrade their offensive line.
There are scenarios where Martin could be the only returning starting offensive lineman next season considering the inconsistency and comparative struggles of other blockers.
A bright future
Regardless of what happens around him, Martin is regarded as a keeper.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate to play with a lot of good centers and he’s one of them,” teammate Breno Giacomini said. “He’s getting better as he goes. He’s built like (former New York Jets center Nick Mangold. He’s doing good.
“He’s a smart guy. He takes it on and wants to make all the right calls. He’s learning how to use his body. As long as he can stay healthy, he has a pretty bright future for sure.”
Enthused about the future, Martin is looking forward to each week. He remains grounded and focused, but is optimistic about the standard he’s establishing.
“Absolutely, this organization has been awesome,” Martin said. “You hope to be here as long as possible.”