EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Blake Martinez played basketball when he was a youngster growing up in Arizona.
"I fouled out every five minutes of every game," Martinez said. "So, that didn't work out too well for me. I had to stick with football."
It was a good decision for Martinez and now for the Giants, who last week signed the middle linebacker as a free agent. Martinez averaged almost nine tackles a game in four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, a total of 520 (351 solo). He is frequently called a "tackling machine." The Giants plan to line up Martinez in the middle of their defense and let him do his thing. And he couldn't be happier.
"I love making plays," Martinez said today. "I love, obviously, hitting people. That's kind of the thing that got me into football. I can just have that aggressive, physical nature and, obviously, you don't get in trouble for. You don't get grounded. Growing up, I was kind of like, 'Oh yeah, this is my game.'"
He has excelled playing it for years. In four years at Stanford, including two as a fulltime starter, he totaled 251 tackles and led the Cardinal to three Pac-12 titles and four bowl berths. He started every game for the Packers the last three years, when his tackle totals were 156, 147 and 155. Green Bay played in the NFC Championship Game in two of his four seasons.
"Playing as the middle linebacker, the way I look at it is you have to make the plays," said Martinez, a 6-2, 237-pounder. "You have to be the cleanup guy. You have to be the guy that doesn't allow those big plays to happen. If one guy kind of slips his gap, doesn't do what he's supposed to do on a given play, you have to be the guy that kind of minimizes that mistake and allows your guys to get to that next down. I think that's one of the things that I pride myself on and has allowed me to make a lot of plays like that."
Now he will bring his tackling acumen to the Giants, a team that excites him for several reasons. There's head coach Joe Judge and the roster, "One of the main appealing things was it's a young team, a lot of talent across the board," Martinez said.
Perhaps most stimulating is the presence of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who was Martinez's position coach with the Packers in 2018.
"He's probably one of the smartest coaches I've ever been around," Martinez said. "Just his ability to get you ready within four to five days. Every single week my third year when he was my inside linebacker coach, I went into the games on Sunday feeling like I knew exactly what plays were going to happen and exactly what I had to do within our scheme. It just made each game so easy to play. That was the biggest thing I got from him throughout that year and got me so excited to be able to work with him again, obviously, coming up again this season."
Martinez and Graham will be joined at the hip. In Green Bay, he had a green dot affixed to his helmet, signaling he received the play calls from the defensive coordinator and relayed them to the players in the huddle. Martinez is likely to be that player with the Giants.
"I love having the green dot," Martinez said. "It's always been an awesome aspect that I've (been) able to have since my rookie year. I've grown more and more, and just understanding the things that I need to do within the huddle, out of the huddle, pre-snap, all those things that have just been growing throughout the years. I know Pat's extremely open and free with communication that he's going to allow me to do within a given series, within a given game. It's exciting for me to be able to have that freedom. I can't wait to be able to go out there and obviously, lead the Giants defense."
Martinez isn't the only former Packers linebacker to join this Giants this month. Outside backer Kyler Fackrell, another member of the 2016 draft class, is also coming to New Jersey (all signings of free agents from other teams are contingent upon players passing physicals when travel restrictions are lifted).
Fackrell's sack total dropped from 10.5 in 2018 to 1.0 last season, but Martinez said that was primarily due to the arrival of free agents Preston and Za'Darius Smith, who totaled 25.5 sacks.
"I reached out to him and was like, 'Oh awesome, we're going to be teammates together,'" said Martinez, who agreed to terms with the Giants a day before Fackrell. "And he was super pumped and excited. He's obviously an amazing player. I think he's one of the best coverage outside linebackers, zone-droppers, all those types of things. He's able to do a lot of things. I think a lot of people haven't been able to see him rush as much as he should have been. Obviously, we had Za'Darius and Preston Smith last year. But Fackrell is an amazing rusher. Obviously, he had that 10-sack season the year before. He's really good, and I think a lot of people will be surprised with what he does this year."
Martinez also had a career-high sack total in 2018, with 5.0. He had 3.0 last season but would relish the opportunity to more frequently chase quarterbacks.
"I love it," Martinez said. "That's one of my favorite things. I think in 2018, that was probably the greatest time ever. I love blitzing. I think I had five sacks that year. It's just one of the things that I want to be able to do more of. Obviously, last year, which makes total sense, the Packers spent a lot of money on (the Smiths) and you obviously saw what they did. So obviously, everyone else kind of lowered their load of blitzing when they can rush four and do those types of things against quarterbacks. But that's definitely something that I want to kind of keep growing in my game and have more of. I'm excited to see what Pat Graham puts together for that."
Martinez is touring the country thanks to football. He was raised in Arizona, attended college in northern California and played his first four pro seasons in the upper Midwest in the NFL's smallest market. His new journey takes him to the Northeast and the nation's largest metropolitan area.
"That's what I tell my wife (Kristie), that that's how we get our vacation time," Martinez said. "I just go to different locations across the country. But I'm extremely excited, my wife is extremely excited. As you know, in Green Bay, there's not much to do out there. So, it's going to be an exciting moment for us to be able to go to different places than the same restaurants, the same movie theater, seeing the same movie for the sixth time. So, now we can go to different restaurants, we can go to shows. It's going to be exciting."
On and off the field.
View photos of linebacker Blake Martinez.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is brought down by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs on the field against the Seattle Seahawks during player introductions prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 28-23. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) looks on during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Lions won 30-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is chased by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) and Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) as he catches a second quarter pass for a gain of 22 yards and a first down at the Green Bay Packers 30 yard line during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Packers 37-8. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez reacts after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, in Minneapolis. Green Bay won 23-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 in Minneapolis. The Packers beat the Vikings 23-10. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez reacts after a third down stop during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez stops Chicago Bears' Mitchell Trubisky on a run during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Chicago Bears' Mitchell Trubisky tries to run past Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Green Bay Packers won 31-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Green Bay Packers, Sunday , Nov. 3, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) defends during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Panthers, 24-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12), linebacker Blake Martinez (50), quarterback DeShone Kizer (9) walk onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50), inside linebacker Oren Burks (42), outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) and linebacker Rashan Gary (52) do the Lambeau Leap following an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers beat the Lions 23-22. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) leads the defense in the huddle during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs running back LeSean McCoy (25) fumbles the ball for a turnover after a tackle by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50), during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez, right, gets set to run a play along with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 23-22. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is tackled by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50), inside linebacker Oren Burks (42), outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) and linebacker Rashan Gary (52) celebrate the Packer's win over the Lions with a "Lambeau Leap" Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers beat the Lions 23-22. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) celebrates as he runs onto the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Eagles defeated the Packers, 34-27. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) is greeted by fans as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) carries the ball as Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) catches him in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) drops into coverage during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) looks on as he awaits the snap of the football during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 in Chicago. The Packers defeated the Bears 10-3. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50)during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 in Chicago. The Packers defeated the Bears 10-3. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 in Chicago. The Packers defeated the Bears 10-3. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50)during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz is hit during a quarterback sneak by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Chicago Bears' Mitchell Trubisky is sacked by Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez and Adrian Amos during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Chicago Bears running back Taquan Mizzell (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
This is a 2019 photo of Blake Martinez of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team. This image reflects the Green Bay Packers active roster as of Monday, June 10, 2019 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) on the field during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, front, is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Chicago Bears running back Taquan Mizzell (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) looks on in the team tunnel during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the 49ers, 33-30. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is brought down by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is brought down by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Packers, 13-6. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) tackles Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) rests during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisc. (Greg Trott via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen is hit b y Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) is sacked by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2017, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) looks for running room as Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) pursues in the first half of an NFL football game,in Arlington, Texas. Martinez has turned into key contributor at inside linebacker. Fourth in the league at 99 tackles, Martinez had a breakout game in the 31-28 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with 15 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) lines up against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (11) is brought down by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) and Lenzy Pipkins in the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Green Bay Packers' Clay Matthews (52) and Blake Martinez, right, tackle Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) after Witten caught a pass in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) runs against Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during the first of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs with the football during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Lions won 30-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during the NFC wild card NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan 8, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 38-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, left, runs with the ball before being stopped by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during a week 2 preseason NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 20-12. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs on the playing field in player introductions as he is greeted by team mates during a week 7 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 26-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs upfield during an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Friday, August 26, 2016. The Packers defeated the 49ers 21-10 (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs to make a tackle during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers Friday, August 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA. (Tom Hauck via AP)
linebacker Blake Martinez (50) sets on defense during an NFL football NFC wildcard playoff game Jan. 8, 2017 against the New York Giants in Green Bay, Wis. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) chases the action during the 2017 NFL week 11 regular season football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens won the game in a 23-0 shutout. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs on the playing field as he is greeted in player introductions during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Lions won 30-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during the NFC Championship playoff football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan 22, 2017, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 44-21. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Zack Martin (70) starts to block Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during a 2017 NFL week 5 regular season game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (James D. Smith via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) watches from the sideline during an NFL NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, January 15, 2017. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 34-31. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Green Bay Packers Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) looks on while holding his helmet during the 2017 NFL week 15 regular season football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won the game 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez is seen bleeding during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez looks to make a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez looks to make a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez gets set for a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
Referee John Hussey (35) stands at mid field for the coin flip as he is joined by team captains from the Chicago Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee (92), cornerback Sherrick McManis (27), defensive end Akiem Hicks (96), running back Jordan Howard (24) and quarterback Mike Glennon (8) along with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17), linebacker Blake Martinez (50) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark (97) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Packers won 35-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Jay Elliott (91) and Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) celebrate during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 26-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs during a week 17 NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Detroit. The Packers won 31-24. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs during a week 7 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct 20, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 26-10. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, in Green Bay Wis. The Packers won 35-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Green Bay Packers Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
( Tom DiPace via AP)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) drops into coverage during the game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, Cleveland. The Packers defeated the Browns 27-21. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Blake Martinez (50) looks on during the 2017 NFL week 11 regular season football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 in Green Bay, Wis. The Ravens won the game in a 23-0 shutout. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (12) and Green Bay Packers' Blake Martinez (50), center, meet a midfield after the preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was cancelled due to unsafe field conditions caused by the painted logo at midfield, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) rests during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Green Bay, Wi. The Packers won the game, 34-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
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