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Texans center Nick Martin 'going to be a great player'

Related Topics: Nick Martin (musician)

Before center Nick Martin was slammed to the ground during a routine blocking drill in a joint training camp practice against the New Orleans Saints and lost for the entire season, he had demonstrated enough promise that he was drawing heavy praise from a man not prone to complimenting rookies: Texans coach Bill O'Brien.

Martin was aggressive, tough, smart and technically sound, and the second-round draft pick from Notre Dame had been plugged in as an immediate starter.

However, the high-ankle sprain would require surgery and Martin didn't play a snap for the AFC South champions as a rookie as Greg Mancz took his place in the starting lineup.