“He fits the profile,” said head coach Lovie Smith about LB Blake Cashman. “He's fast. He's a smart guy. He's kind of new to our system a little bit, but for the people that have been out at training camp, he's flashed quite a bit.” @TheTexansWire #Sarge @blockayyy pic.twitter.com/nzlLpswtC6
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 14, 2022
One of the more unnoticed transactions of the Houston Texans’ offseason was the acquisition of linebacker Blake Cashman.
The former New York Jets linebacker has opened eyes at Texans training camp as he is looking to bounce back from a groin injury that kept him out the last 10 games of the 2021 season.
All that hard work done during the offseason transcended to the field in the Texans’ first preseason game against the New Orlean Saints. Cashman had seven tackles (four solos) and one tackle for loss during the 17-13 victory over the Saints.
Outside of his ability to help in the run game, Cashman is also good enough to be dropped into coverage and defend his area as he did in the third quarter. Saints backup quarterback Ian Book tried to drop a 26-yard pass over the head of Cashman, but he was able to get his hand on the ball and prevent a big play.
“I think he was a leading tackler tonight,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He fits the profile. He’s fast. He’s a smart guy. He’s kind of new to our system a little bit, but for the people that have been out at training camp, he’s flashed quite a bit. So when a guy has been flashing in training camp practices, you want them to take that to the field on game day.
“And I think, of course, I try not to get too high or too low before I actually study the video. But we like some of the things he did tonight, just like we’ve liked what he’s done in training camp.”
The Texans traded a 2023 sixth-round draft pick to acquire Cashman, who is also very effective on special teams.