HOUSTON – Ed Ingram resumed his personal hit parade with a trademark emphatic block, firing out of his stance at the line of scrimmage to zero in on his target.
Baltimore Ravens rookie cornerback Keyon Martin was simply in the way of the Texans’ right offensive guard. Ingram, having arguably the best season of his career since being acquired in an offseason trade from the Minnesota Vikings sent Martin flailing to the ground.
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Whether it was Ingram helping to create a pathway for running back Nick Chubb on a touchdown run in a blowout victory in Baltimore or routinely reaching the second level to knock down linebackers and defensive backs, the DeSoto, Texas native has enthusiastically embraced this fresh start.
Ingram has emerged as the second-highest rated run blocking guard in the league behind only Indianapolis Colts All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson. Ingram has a 86.1 run blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus analytics, behind only Nelson at 90.1. For the season, Ingram has a 63.3 pass blocking grade, allowing just one sack, two quarterback hits and seven pressures. His overall 84.0 blocking grade is the highest mark in the NFL, just ahead of Nelson at 82.9 overall.
Obviously, things didn’t go the way Ingram and the Vikings had hoped for when Minnesota drafted the second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in the second round four years ago. He lost his starting job last season. Being traded to the Texans in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick has provided a significant boost to Ingram, who is in the final year of his rookie contract and scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. A return to Texas has given Ingram and the Texans a shot in the arm.
“I feel like personally that’s been like a big thing for me,” Ingram told KPRC 2. “I feel like when I was in Minnesota I loved it up there, they treated me right. Then, I feel like it’s just it was time for me to leave and I feel like being here is like the new start that I needed. I feel like I’m respected here and I’m valued as a player and I just love this team."
As the right side tandem of an improving offensive line that has five new starters, four newcomers and one returning starter at a different position than last year, Ingram and veteran offensive tackle Tytus Howard have teamed up to become the strength of an overhauled group through five games.
Heading into a Monday night road game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Texans are on a two-game winning streak and frequently running right behind Ingram, Howard and extra tackle Blake Fisher in a jumbo package.
The tape tells the truth. Ingram and Howard are handling their business on the right side.
Ingram is building a highlight reel with his collection of pancake blocks.
“I mean y’all see the tape, y’all see the clips, he’s physical,” Howard said. “He brings that every day. I saw it. I knew he was gonna have a good year. His mentality coming into being a Texan, being traded, he had a chip on his shoulder, he had something to prove. I like that.
“And he’s been showing it week in and week out, the type of player he is. And I’m happy for him and I hope I know he’s gonna keep doing it and getting better every week and to be that No. 1 guard in the league. I already feel like he’s the best guard. I’m looking forward to helping him and you know be a dominant right side."
Ingram showed flashes with the Vikings, but never achieved this standard of consistency.
He’s playing like a man with something to prove.
“Ed has done a pretty good job,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “He has played really good football. Sometimes, a change of scenery is good for everybody involved in that situation.
“He’s played good football. He is one of the top-ranked guards in the league, something ridiculous. I’m not saying he is the best guard in the league. He has played good football.”
When Ingram missed the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, the Texans shifted Howard back to right guard where he began training camp as the starter.
The line shuffle didn’t work primarily because rookie Aireontae Ersery was shifted from his natural left tackle spot and struggled at right tackle while Cam Robinson stepped in on the left side. The shuffle also displayed Ingram’s value to the offense. And the Rams’ pass rush overwhelmed the Texans at times.
The grades are not something that consumes Ingram. He’s focused on his job. Of course, it’s nice to have a high grade rather than the career-low 54.0 last season in Minnesota.
“I really don’t ever pay attention to nothing like that,” Ingram said. “Usually, I hear about stuff like this, like from my teammates and stuff talking about like, ‘Hey, you’re the highest graded PFF player and all that stuff.
“But this whole season I’ve just kind of been focusing on just putting my head down and working and just kinda just giving all the glory to God, just allowing Him to move my steps and just trusting Him in the process."
Operating in offensive coordinator Nick Caley’s scheme that emphasizes power gap blocking elements after playing in primarily zone concepts with the Vikings, Ingram is thriving.
He attributes a lot of his improvement to offensive line coach and run game coordinator Cole Popovich, a Dante Scarneccia protege previously with the New England Patriots.
“I feel like nothing really changed,” Ingram said. “We’re just kind of being more intentional in our techniques and going back to our fundamentals. I feel like our coach, Cole Popovich, has been really hitting on going back to the fundamentals and attacking the basics. In order to be a good offensive line, you gotta be good at the fundamentals and the basics and that’s what we’ve really been focusing on.”
There’s no question Ingram likes being in Houston, beyond its proximity to home. There’s a growing camaraderie across the offensive line, and Ingram is feeling that. Ideally, he would like to stay here. Those conversations, about a potential new contract, can wait, though.
“I love this line here, man. I feel like we really click, I feel like we have each other’s backs,” Ingram said. “Especially playing next to Tytus, that’s my boy. I feel like me and him are a really good duo together. We always talk about right side and like how we just start like trying to clamp down the right side. No matter what whatever what else is going on with the whole game, we want to be the right side to be doing our thing.”
The Texans have an extremely difficult test against the Seahawks, who had seven sacks in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Their stout front includes Byron Murphy Jr., Tank Lawrence and Leonard Williams. Basically, the Seahawks defense doesn’t have to blitz.
“I feel like they got a good defensive front,” Ingram said. “We’ve got a a good challenge coming into this week, but I feel like we need that challenge. It’s gonna be a good game.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com