Ross Blacklock has been like loose cargo on a ship amid a storm: going back and forth.
The Houston Texans have had as many full-time coaches for as many training camps the 2020 second-round pick has been a part of. With that comes three different schemes.
Typically. The Texans promoted 2021 defensive coordinator and associate head coach Lovie Smith to the main role following the firing of David Culley. With that comes continuity of scheme and personnel that was not present when Blacklock was transitioning from his rookie season to his second season in the NFL.
The cohesion of the defensive line is an element that Blacklock has noticed as he preps for his third season with Houston.
” would say chemistry, when like new guys came in here, we brought everybody in with open arms and everybody kind of felt the love first day in when they were here,” Blacklock told reporters on Saturday after the sixth training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center. “Some guys didn’t know anybody, but we made everybody feel like family and just growing from OTAs and going into camp right now, but the growth has been a lot better.”
Blacklock also notes that the players have a better understanding of Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme, which is a boon when coupled with the on-field cohesion.
Said Blacklock: “Guys are a lot closer and guys are understanding what we need to do as a team, and they are buying in to Coach Lovie’s system. As long as you get that, we got someone we’re working with.”
Blacklock logged 22 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble through 14 games in 2021, one of which he started. The Fort Bend Elkins High School product has shown flashes through his first two seasons, but 2022 might be the year it all comes together for Blacklock.