The Houston Texans offensive line was a part of a unit that allowed quarterback Deshaun Watson to take 62 sacks in 2018, the most in the NFL.
Even if the unit wasn’t entirely to blame for the astronomical figure, the reality is they had a share of the blame.
With offseason workouts underway across the NFL, Texans center Nick Martin says his fellow offensive linemen have a strong desire to improve upon the ugliness of last season.
“If you’re not hungry, you’re doing it wrong,” Martin told reporters Tuesday at NRG Park during the team’s offseason workouts. “You’re not going to last very long in this league. There’s no doubt about that. Again, it starts day by day. Just get a little bit better each day.”
What gives Martin encouragement about the direction of the offensive line and the team overall is the high attendance the club had at offseason workouts.
“Having everyone in the building just kind of puts a smile on everyone’s face. It’s already started — film,” said Martin. “We try to take the approach day by day of just one thing. Maybe one thing in the run and one thing in the pass. It’s started already.”
As to how the offensive line could end up forming, the former 2016 second-round pick from Notre Dame won’t speculate.
Said Martin: “That’s above my pay grade. I’m not sure about that. I’m just going to come in and try to do my job each day.”
The reality is the unit will not have a chance to fully form until the conclusion of the NFL draft starting April 25. With the club possessing four picks in the top-100, the cohesion and talent of the offensive line could alter dramatically. Therefore, Martin is not being coy, but rather wise, in stating that any prognostication on his part is above his pay grade.
