Martin greets a fresh season and a new role
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Hunkered over the football at the line of scrimmage, Texans center Nick Martin delivered a shotgun snap to quarterback Deshaun Watson before hustling into his pass protection stance.
The quick feet and adept blocking technique of the former Notre Dame standout were on display as he stonewalled D.J. Reader, one of the top young nose tackles in the game.
If not for a pair of ankle surgeries that have ended or interrupted each of his first two NFL seasons, Martin could have achieved a similar status as one of the best centers.
Martin, 25, has vast potential. He is a former second-round draft pick and the younger brother of Dal-
las Cowboys Pro Bowl offensive guard Zack Martin, who is the recent recipient of a six-year, $84 million contract extension that included $40 million guaranteed.
The missing ingredient for the 6-4, 300-pounder has been his health. He ended last season on injured reserve after 14 starts, undergoing surgery to repair the same ankle that wiped out his rookie season.
Now, Martin has made a full recovery and hopes to remain healthy all season. He is optimistic about the prospects as the young leader of an overhauled offensive line that represents the greatest question mark surrounding a 4-12 team that hopes for a turnaround this year.
“Oh, absolutely,” Martin said. “Being out there again, it’s awesome. I love the game and love being out there with everyone.”
Key is to stay healthy
If the Texans can get Martin through every game without an injury sidelining him, he could be a significant reason this line could be transformed from a liability into an asset.
The Texans are counting on Martin being the centerpiece of their efforts to upgrade the line. He is the highest draft pick of any of their linemen. He has an enviable pedigree that includes his father, Keith, playing defensive tackle at Kentucky. And Martin has every tool the Texans are looking for in a center. He just has to stay healthy.
“That’s big,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Unfortunately, through no fault of his own, he’s had a couple of injuries his first couple of years, but he’s a really good player. Tough guy, really smart guy, loves the team. Really good teammate. So, it’s really good to have him in there.”
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 is big, athletic and strong. And Martin is devoted to his craft, which includes spending time haunting the Texans’ weight room.
“Obviously in the offseason, that was one of the points of emphasis, get stronger, keep the weight on, get better day by day and now I can translate it,” Martin said. “Now we’re on the field, full pads, full-go, 100 percent and you just take it day by day.”
Having a brother recognized as the best guard in the NFL is an ace in the hole for Martin. He can always rely on his advice about football or life. It is something he leans on frequently as he matures and enters his third NFL season after playing with his brother at Notre Dame.
“A lot,” Martin said of the frequency of his conversations with his brother. “So, we talk, talk about ball and talk about what we’re going through all the time.”
Martin took a break from football to get married this offseason. He is adapting to his wife’sdesire to decorate and put her personal accent on their Houston home.
“Yeah, I got married, it’s nice,” Martin said. “She’s coming down. She already wants to paint the house, you know, put the woman’s touch on it so it’s a little less of a bachelor pad but it’s nice.”
A year ago, the Texans rolled out one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. It struggled to protect the quarterback. The running game lacked punch.
And Martin is the lone regular returning starter. Left tackle Julie’n Davenport became a starter late in the season. Every other starter is a newcomer, including left guard Senio Kelemete, right guard Zach Fulton and right tackle Seantrel Henderson.
They have to develop their chemistry quickly to try to improve the communication and their performance on the field.
“Yeah, absolutely, but we try every day to build that cohesiveness,” Martin said. “It really starts off the field. We’re a close group — laughing — and that translates on the field with just trusting each other, really.”
Striving to improve each day
For Martin, getting better means stacking days. He isn’t satisfied with anything, nor is he down on himself. He is brimming with confidence and relying on a blue-collar work ethic to carry him through.
“Absolutely, you have to control what you can control,” Martin said. “It’s awesome being back out there but first day in pads is not going to be perfect. You have to learn from it, one or two things every day, and get better.”