(SportsRadio 610) – Ross Blacklock’s career got off to a rough start.
While the Houston-area native grew up a Texans fan and was happy to play for the hometown team, the first impressions were not exactly spectacular.
After playing just 10 defensive snaps in the season-opener against Kansas City, his snap count jumped to 17 in the home-opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
That’s when he was ejected for throwing a punch at Orlando Brown Jr. toward the end of the game.
J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and best Texans player to wear the uniform, ripped the then-rookie for what he deemed a “stupid” and “selfish” move.
Blacklock was inactive in week three, and finished the season with just one tackle for loss after playing 23 percent of the defensive snaps.
So far this year, transitioning from the 3-4 to 4-3 system, Blacklock looks like a different player.
Our own Seth Payne, who played defensive lineman for 10 years in the NFL, says Blacklock cleaned up some of his technical issues from last season, like using his hands to shed blocks up front.
“Yeah, I think I was just playing more faster, reacting more and just getting off the ball, and just like I said, just trusting my instinct and trusting my abilities and just going out there and just doing my best,” Blacklock told SportsRadio 610 on Tuesday.
“I just work on a lot with my hands, technique, just get offs, just to make myself a lot better in my position.”
Blacklock worked this offseason with personal trainer Brandon Jordan, a defensive and offensive line specialist. Blacklock said Jordan is popular among the Texans’ defensive line, helping with the hands and footwork.
Texans head coach David Culley likes what he sees from Blacklock one preseason game into training camp.
For Blacklock, the environment created by a new coaching staff and teammates is also making a difference.
He even quoted the film “Drumline” after Tuesday’s practice.
“I could say the vibe and the energy is better. The culture here is a lot better,” Blacklock said. “There's a lot of competition. There's a lot of good guys around here, great team. Coach Culley, (defensive coordinator) Coach Lovie Smith has brought in a culture that's just all about the team. Each and every day is about team and I think guys are gravitating to it.
“We got the right guys in the locker room and make sure everybody is just one band, one sound, type thing.”
Blacklock is competing for playing time on the defensive line with Maliek Collins, Vincent Taylor, Brandon Dunn, DeMarcus Walker, Jaleel Johnson, Auzoyah Alufohai and rookie Roy Lopez.
After Tuesday's practice, Blacklock joined In The Loop with John Lopez and Landry Locker.
Listen to that entire interview here.