Blake Martinez Expresses a Distaste for his Former Role in Packers’ Defense

Despite being among the top in the league with amount of tackles, former Packers ILB Blake Martinez still faced a lot of criticism about his overall performance at stopping big plays and keeping the offense in check.

During a Monday conference call, Martinez spoke on his role in the Packers defensive scheme and his thoughts on joining the Giants.

Here is the quote as transcribed by Pro Football Talk:

“I think the way they value the inside linebacker position especially in that defense, it wasn’t as valued as other places I guess in my opinion,” Martinez said. “Overall, it was one of the things where they offered me, and we were just in different wave lengths on where I valued myself and where they valued it. At the end of the day, it was one of the decisions that had to be made on both sides. It’s a business and right now I am extremely happy where I am and can’t wait to start playing for the Giants and finally get into the facility.”

Martinez was also asked about a lack of impact plays while in Green Bay and said it was a “misconception” that it isn’t part of his game. He said the Packers used him as a “clean-up crew guy” who would play off of others and “basically make them right.”

Martinez recently signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants worth around $30 million.

He also had some positive things to say about the new Giants defense coordinator, Patrick Graham, who was run coordinator for the Packers in 2018:

“What made me so excited to work with him this year and the following years is how smart he is,’’ Martinez said Monday. “I think he’s probably the smartest coach I’ve ever been around. And then just the preparation he puts in every week, his intensity, just how much he cares about the game of football. It just allowed me to go in every Sunday or Monday or whatever, Thursday game just fully prepared and I never felt like I didn’t know what play was going to happen next.’’

The bottom line on the situation remains the same: we simply could not afford him anymore.

Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports