HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Texans rookie defensive lineman Ross Blacklock sees an opportunity to be used in a much more disruptive way than in college at TCU.
Blacklock, the Texans’ top draft pick with the 40th overall selection in 2020, could contribute immediately to the team’s pass rush and run defense.
He explained Tuesday the difference in how he’ll be used with the Texans than in college.
“At TCU, my responsibility was honing gaps for the linebackers and safeties to flow and make tackles. It’s essentially almost the same thing here, but at TCU, I was more lateral,” Blacklock said during a Zoom conference call with media members. “It’s not up the field, it’s always side-to-side and lateral. Here, I can go up the field. You know, get off the ball, penetrate, and create more havoc than I did in college. So I like this system a lot more, because it takes more thinking out of it as a d-lineman. I’ve just got to work on my technique and get better at that in a new system, but it’s coming along.”
Blacklock recorded 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season for TCU.
In that system, he was often on the move, slanting and angling up front. While the Texans do that as well, they also play base blocks.
“He’s got to be able to play the block,” O’Brien said of Blacklock last week. “He’s good. He’s strong. A really good guy. He’s quiet, he works hard. He’s been out there every day. You can tell just from him being out there every day and being coached by (defensive coordinator Anthony) Weaver, he’s getting better and better. We have high expectations obviously for Ross and if he stays out there every day and keeps grinding, he’s going to be a good player.”
Blacklock also speaks highly of the coaching staff that he believes is allowing him to do more. The rookie said he’s never been around a coach who acts and carries himself like Weaver, who he met at the NFL Combine earlier this year, just before the pandemic halted large events.
They met for 20 minutes, Blackock said, and he already wanted to be his coach.
“Great dude, technician, loves to have fun,” Blacklock said. “Just a great guy all around. I’m glad he’s my coach.”
Crennel, the former defensive coordinator now serving as associate head coach, also pulls Blacklock aside for one-on-one coaching, the rookie said.
“We talk a lot after plays,” Blacklock added. “He tries to get me right, tells me what’s wrong, what’s good and what I could’ve done better.”