Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
“He’s a field general. That’s why he’s able to have the success that he does,” said rookie linebacker Ty Summers. “He makes it look effortless. I’m watching him like, ‘Oh, it looks easy.’ And then I try to go out there and do the same thing for the first time and I’m like, ‘OK, there’s a little that goes into this’ because he’s done it.
“He knows what’s going to happen in front of him, behind him. He’s able to do his job to perfection.”
Martinez graduated to an every-down role in 2017. Since then, he’s had back-to-back seasons with 144 tackles, racked up seven sacks, an interception and forced fumble.
The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker’s reliability and availability have been critical at a position with several moving parts in the box over the past year. In only three games, he’s already played alongside B.J. Goodson (acquired via trade on Sept. 3), and safeties Raven Greene and Adrian Amos.
This, one year after Martinez rotated alongside Oren Burks, Antonio Morrison, Jermaine Whitehead, Josh Jones, Ibraheim Campbell and Eddie Pleasant to navigate an injury-riddled 2018 campaign for Green Bay.
Displeased with how his own season unfolded, Martinez went back to his roots this past offseason. Returning home to Arizona to train, the Packers’ starting inside linebacker reported back for the start of April’s offseason program seven pounds heavier despite dropping 3½ percent body fat.
Whether it was Martinez’s offseason work, a season spent in Pettine’s defense or just the maturation as a defensive veteran, teammates have noticed the linebacker playing a step or two faster this season.
In Sunday’s 27-16 win over the Broncos, Martinez had two tackles for loss among his 12 total. At the end of the first half, he stuffed Denver running back Royce Freeman for a 5-yard loss off a swing pass to set up a quick three-and-out.