Blocker Sticks to His Routine of Improvement

The games within a game can be intriguing to watch. A chance to see two players go toe-to-toe as just a small slice of the overall picture of a football game.

Some of them are fleeting, momentary flashes. Others are constant and consistent. Either way, they heighten the senses of those involved. Trent Matthews knows it did for him when he suited up for Colorado State.

"Yeah, man, like Davante Adams. I mean playing him … The list goes on with the receivers that I played, but this is his time," said Matthews, CSU's cornerbacks coach and a former safety for the Rams. "I'm loving to see it. I'm glad I'll be able to witness it, and I'm glad I'm a part of his part of his life to be able to feel and see what he's gonna do."

The "he" in question is cornerback CJ Blocker, among the nation's leaders in interceptions. The player he will match up with at times on Saturday is Oregon State's standout freshman wideout Jesse Legree, who is second in the nation at 146.3 receiving yards a game, averaging an eye-popping 25.4 yards per catch with 23 total. Nine of his catches are for 20 yards or longer, five going beyond 40, helping him generate six touchdowns.

CSU coach Jim Mora says they can be fun, but in this instance, not every play. The Beavers move around Legree, and on top of that, Colorado State won't always play man, giving them the option of putting Blocker in front of him. When Oregon State goes with tempo, that additionally impacts what a defense can do.

Blocker understands the circumstances, and as a competitor, he's looking forward to his chances.

"For sure. I think every game is a great matchup and just a great experience for me that I look forward to," said Blocker, who has three interceptions and two passes defended. "And of course, I know they have a really good receiver and that fires me up because I like going against competition, good competition at that. So it's gonna be a good challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

What has Matthews intrigued is the path Blocker has taken and the growth he's shown now in his second year at Colorado State. Blocker spent his first two seasons at Utah, playing minimal snaps. His role expanded as a Ram, primarily as a backup with one start. His dedication has made him a player the team relies upon.

"It's all the work he puts in week to week. He wakes up early and gets treatment. He stays late and watches more film," Matthews said. "He's asking questions. Why is it this? Why is it that? All of that stuff that he's been doing is what Coach likes to say, actions over words. He's just in his actions each and every day."

Blocker knows he has made a turn, and it was intentional. Not just taking what he has learned and applying it better but altering his approach. Some of the knowledge was gleaned by watching others.

Blocker has applied a more serious tone to his play which shows in his practice and preparation. It's doing the actions of a leader, even if that means picking up trash in the locker room or using any spare moment to watch tape.

"I feel like last year I wasn't as mature and I didn't take the game as serious. Of course, I had talent and I'd make plays here and there, but the biggest jump from last year and this year was just mentality," he said. "How I approach the game, always working. And just the little details, taking care of the little details, making sure I know my alignment, my assignment, studying the defense, studying the offense, and so you really gotta indulge yourself into the game. And that's just in all ways -- taking care of your body, just every single thing that you think of, take care of. I'm just trying to maximize it this year."

Tuesday's are the long day for the Rams. Practice will go for a good two hours, and it's day built around the hard work. Intensity and focus are high as plans are being introduced and repetitions come at a high pace.

But at the end of that day – each practice day – you'll find Blocker hanging back, working on something. What it is depends on his read of where he feels he stands with his own game. He always needs extra work because he knows he can always be better. Any given day, one portion of his game needs a few extra reps. So he does them.

"I think it's just whatever I think I can get better at. I feel like, me personally, I try to work on everything I can as a corner, and just be an all-around corner, like tackling, playing coverage, and playing man," he said. "I just try to have no deficiencies and no weaknesses in my game.

So of course, after a Tuesday practice, that's the standard I hold to myself, and I gotta be the last one. I gotta keep working every single day, no matter if it's Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. So I'm always just looking for a better opportunity."

He knows a prime one approaches this Saturday. There will be times he will be head up with Legree, a receiver he respects, one he says can beat coverage and find the gaps in zone coverage. A player who hauls in every ball thrown his way.

So Blocker does the work physically to be ready. Mentally, too. He's ready to go, and with the personality of a true, confident corner, he tells himself the Beavers have to be ready for him, too.

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