Martin at the center of turning offensive line into cohesive unit

The inimitable look of love dominates Kathleen and Nick’s wedding page photo.

The nuptials were in Indianapolis, just a couple of weeks before Texans’ training camp in West Virginia, and now the Martins are together in Houston, getting their newly bought home together.

Workwise, Nick Martin also is at the beginning of something new, as he is the center and anchor of an offensive line that is working to get to that look of love. These players don’t know each other like that yet.

You would figure the married lifestyle has little to do with the offensive line lifestyle, but Martin says you would be wrong.

“That’s part of the lifestyle,”

he said. “You spend a lot of time with those guys, and, fortunately, they’re awesome dudes. You have to work on that relationship like a marriage.”

Thus far, less than two months into marriage, Martin says that lifestyle is great, and the same holds for his offensive line union.

Whether those “awesome dudes” can form a cohesive and dominant unit won’t be determined until the Texans play real games. They have had a couple of rehearsals. Officially, they tie the knot in New England on Sept. 9.

“That’s one position that needs to play in the games, communicate what they’re seeing, communicate with the quarterback,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think that really needs to happen whether they’ve played together for a long time or not.”

Martin, who started 14 games before an ankle injury ended his season in December, is the lone returning full-time starter. Guards Zach Fulton and Senio Kelemete, and tackle Seantrel Henderson were free-agent signees. Second-year left tackle Julie’n Davenport moved into the starting lineup at the end of last season.

Bonds build off the field

Martin had nine groomsmen at his wedding; friends, including former teammates and fellow linemen, from high school and college.

No Texans O-linemen were in the bunch. The guys lining up to him right now are new to him. They don’t know each other like that. But Martin says they are getting there.

He says as vital as games are, the group coming together away from huddles and meeting rooms is important.

“I always say it starts off the field,” Martin said. “That cohesion begins there. If you build a personal relationship with someone, you’re going to trust them when you get on the field. That’s what we’ve done here.

“I’m in the middle of Zach and Senio, and I really do trust them. I know how they play. You build every day; it never stops building. You should get better each day with all of it.”

With the Texans finally having a legitimate franchise quarterback, more attention will be paid to the offensive line than there has been in years. Deshaun Watson, who is strong, elusive and instinctive, should make the line’s job easier, but the big boys up front can’t just roll over.

Whatever they are going to be, they need to get on the same page before the season begins.

“Offensive line play is about getting five guys on one page, talking the same language and understanding how they’ll react in different situations,” offensive line coach Bruce Devlin said.

The Irish connection

Devlin and O’Brien stress that for their system to work, they must have smart players, especially on the offensive line and particularly at center.

Martin, a 6-4, 300-pounder from Notre Dame, fits that bill in the middle. The second-round pick in 2016, who missed his rookie season because of an ankle injury, is the highest drafted player in the group.

Many no-name offensive lines have turned out to be special. Can the Texans pull that off ?

“I see great things from us,” Martin said. “I think we do have a cohesive group. I really like the guys. It really goes back to trying to get a little bit better each day … keep working.”

That’s how you get the most out of any relationship. Martin is convinced we’ll see the look of love with this O-line this season.

Let’s not go overboard and say they’re going to put a ring on it, but if he’s right the offensive line will not be anywhere near the weakness many predict it will be.