Rookie Jonathan Martin got off to a bad start, giving up a sack to Aldon Smith early on when the NFL's sack leader basically blew Martin up. Smith finished with two sacks against Martin and the Dolphins lineman also had a false start.

“It was decent," Martin said. "He got me on that one bull rush pretty good. There is a reason why he is one of the best pass rushers in the league. He is a good player. It is a really talented defense, talented d-line. It is a tough defense, we didn’t make enough plays to win the game.

“It is a learning experience. I like challenges like that, going against guys that are the best in the league. It took me a little while to get into it, but after a while I felt really comfortable out there."

Salguero reaction: It's his first game and it came against arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL. Martin did ok. He didn't make us forget about Jake Long. It was, indeed, a step back from Long. It'll be interesting to see how much Martin improves over the next three games. So far, he hasn't made anyone forget Long.

So far, he hasn't made anyone forget Long.

Except the already forming "Martin is the LT of the future" crowd. It already has one member.

Except the already forming "Martin is the LT of the future" crowd. It already has one member.

Yep, I agree. Despite his struggles in that game, I thought he did good for a first start considering who he was going up against. I think he's a better option going forward than Long. Long is too costly and too injury prone.

Martin is a rookie and he was facing the best pass rusher in football, statistically speaking. Long has been a liability so far this year....and now on IR. Might as well evaluate the rookie and decide if we need to spend a really high pick for a LT....again.....or perhaps a lower pick for a RT.

Of course...maybe our O-line might have been better off using their bulk and size for traditional blocking schemes, instead of switching to a zone blocking scheme that requires athletic and mobile blockers. Martin is probably the only one on the team who actually might fit a zone blocking scheme. He needs to hit the weights though....

Martin was facing one of the best pass rushers in the game, and allowed one sack and four hurries. Not great but not too bad for a rookie trying to replace a Pro Bowler.