Houston Texans defensive unsung heroes
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By: Mike Bullock
Who says 5th rounders don’t belong on Sportscenter?
While a lot of eyes are on Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, wide receiver Tank Dell and EDGE Will Anderson Jr., a few other players are getting after it in H-Town.
One who’s really stepped up this season is Blake Cashman. Drafted late in 2019, the 5th year linebacker is flourishing in Demeco Ryans’ defense, currently carrying a career-high 90.3 PFF grade. For those unfamiliar with PFF grades, 90s is pro bowl territory. Vaunted rookie phenom Will Anderson Jr.’s highest rating so far this season? 85.7.
So far in 2023, Cashman has 21 solo tackles, 10 assists, 6 tackles for loss and 1 interception.
What an outing for @blockayyy
15 combined tackles
1 QBH
2 TFL
2 PD pic.twitter.com/hjwRDESPuX— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 16, 2023
PFF.com
Defensive spotlight: Texans linebacker Blake Cashman was everywhere on defense as the Saints were trying to execute their comeback. He recorded 15 combined tackles and multiple tackles for loss, as well as a forced incompletion in coverage. A former fifth-round pick, Cashman played a big part in the Saints not being able to get points at the end of drives.
By year 5, a players fate of career backup, locked in starter or perennial pro bowler is fairly well set.
Cashman is bucking that trend.
He ended his rookie season with a 49.1 rating, then 2020 brought his best fun year to date with a 64.6 rating. Barely enough to consider him a quality back up.
2021 saw a major regression, with a 29.1 rating, before bouncing back a bit last season with a 54.0 rating.
So far in 2023 his lowest game rating was last week’s assault on the New Orleans Saints resulting in a 74.0 effort.
This is a Blake Cashman appreciation tweet pic.twitter.com/h4mGOEyKtV
— Jacob (@Stroud4ROTY) October 17, 2023
It also helps when you’re humble:
It’s easy to make plays when you’re surrounded by a whole lotta dawgs https://t.co/EGhAnldWWZ
— Blake Cashman ♛ (@blockayyy) October 16, 2023
Speaking of surrounded by dawgs, just wait til more players return from the injury list post-BYE. Cashman and crew should give Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers a game to remember.
Originally posted on Battle Red Blog – All Posts