Houston Texans center Nick Martin had one bad snap out of 64 in Week 13’2 26-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
It just so happened that one bad snap was the last offensive play the Texans had on a second-and-goal from the 4-yard line with 1:22 to go. The Colts recovered the loose ball and ensured Houston’s loss that sent them to 4-8 on the season.
According to Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, that low shotgun snap doesn’t define Martin’s play at center.
“You can’t let that play define your day, define you as a person, define you as a player,” Kelly told reporters Thursday. “It was one snap. All the other ones that we had throughout the day, however many snaps we had, all of them were fielded and he was able to go out there and execute.”
Kelly does acknowledge that the context of the snap matters as it was the last play the offense would have for the whole game, and it destroyed their chance to win the game.
Said Kelly: “It’s unfortunate that that happened at that point and that juncture of the game, but that was just the biggest message that I just tried to talk to him. I told him he needed to keep leading and keep being the good pro that he is.”
Kelly says that Martin has been a leader along the offensive line in terms of communication and getting on the same page with quarterback Deshaun Watson as far as identifying the mike linebacker.
“As far as him throughout the year, he’s done a good job of going out there and really kind of leading that group and making sure everyone is on the same page,” said Kelly.
Martin and the Texans get a chance at redemption Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
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