Martin comes back bigger, prepared for Year 2
Outside linebacker plans to be vital component of improved pass rush
Outside linebacker Jacob
Martin is vital to the Texans’ plans to improve a pass rush that desperately needs an upgrade.
Entering his third NFL season and his second with the Texans, Martin is hoping to get more playing time that will help him elevate his statistics from last season.
Martin was part of the Jadeveon Clowney trade with Seattle. He recorded 3½ sacks while playing 20.5 percent of the snaps. He also had a sack and fumble recovery in the wild-card victory over Buffalo.
Expectations for Martin are high, and it’s based on his extraordinary quickness and speed off the edge, a terrific work ethic and improved techniques for pressuring the passer.
“I think the sky’s the limit,” Martin said Monday. “I’m excited to show what I’m capable of. I’m excited to show off my versatility, my abilities to get after the passer.
“The ceiling is high for me. I’m not going to say what my personal goals are, but, obviously, it’s double-digit sacks I’m chasing. That’s the goal, and that should be the outcome.”
Martin, who was 6-2, 242 when he came to Houston, finished last season at 229. Rather than go to California to visit family and work out there, Martin stayed home because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I (built) a gym in my house,” he said. “Great results. It was good getting back to the root of everything. That’s where it all started for me — in the garage with my dad. It was dope to get back into that.
“I gained quite a bit of weight. I’m about 247 right now. My weight’s been really steady. I feel healthy. I feel bigger. Obviously, I got stronger. It’s been awesome.”
If Martin had 3½ sacks playing 20.5 percent of the snaps in his first season with the Texans, imagine what he might be capable of achieving in his second season in the system if he plays 41 percent of the snaps. Seven sacks perhaps?
At this time last year, Martin was preparing for his second season with the Seahawks. The Clowney trade didn’t happen until Aug. 31. He arrived when the Texans were preparing for the first game of regular season at New Orleans.
Naturally, Martin is more comfortable and confident in a system with new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver making the calls for the first time.
“I would say there’s a tremendous difference in returning after a season where I was kind of thrown in the fire as soon as I got here,” he said. “Everyone was coming off camp and four preseason games. I’m coming in trying to learn as much as I can and learn as we travel week to week and build my playbook knowledge. This year I’m a lot more familiar with the terminology and what coach is talking about.”
Whitney Mercilus and Brennan Scarlett return as the starters at outside linebacker. Martin is the first to come off the bench.
As the Texans get closer to their first game at Kansas City on Sept. 10, their best pass rush alignment is J.J. Watt and Martin on the outside, Charles Omenihu and Ross Blacklock inside and Mercilus moving around rushing from any spot.
As a group, members of the front seven have been building chemistry and working on their communication.
“It’s really important that I understand how they’re going to play or how they’re going to see this,” Martin said. “We’ve all got to be on the same page. We’ve all got to understand what each other’s responsibilities are. We also have to understand each other’s personalities.
“Not everyone can rush the same. Guys have their tricks, whether it’s a head fake, or they’re going to be a bull (rush) guy. Just understanding those little nuances of everybody’s game helps us play a lot faster up front.”
Coach Bill O’Brien likes what he sees from Martin. Unlike last year, Martin’s head isn’t spinning or being placed on overload like he’s cramming for a college final.
“Jacob has a unique skill set,” O’Brien said. “He’s going to play a lot. He plays really hard. He’s got good speed for the position he plays. He helps us on special teams.
“He’s smart, and he can line up in different places. He’s improving every day because of how hard he works. We have high expectations for Jacob.”
O’Brien has seen Martin’s confidence growing.
“He’s definitely more comfortable in our system,” he said. “Coming into our system, some things (were) different. He’s done a good job of picking that up. He’s had a great camp.”
The Texans have more experience in their front seven than last season. Only Blacklock is a rookie. The coaches expect improvement from Martin and Charles Omenihu because it’s their second seasons in the system.
“I’m excited to see what this defense is capable of,” Martin said. “The vibes are just right on defense. That’s always great when guys are just jelling and clicking.”
No matter how many opportunities Martin gets, he plans to capitalize on them and have fun doing it.
“The chemistry is just right,” he said. “I’m excited to rock out with these dudes.”