Struggles to really fire off the snap, keep his base down and get into his routes quickly as well. Has a tendency to get upright quickly off the ball, initially taking away from his first step burst. However, he is a gifted straight-line guy. Runs well for his size, can threaten the seam and adjust well to the football.
Isn't real shifty of sudden out of his breaks and has a tendency to gear down. But, gets his head around quickly, locates the football and can go up and make a play. Isn't a real natural plucker though. Has had trouble with drops throughout his career and too often lets the ball get into his body.
Impression: A nice size/speed option, but isn't going to win for you in the run game and I can't see him separating much vs. man in the NFL either. More of a vertical guy only."
His height, reliable hands and surprising speed make him an ideal threat down the seam. FAU has only had one player drafted so far (quarterback Rusty Smith was taken by Tennessee in the sixth round last year), but Housler will certainly add to that list. In fact, considering this year's weak senior crop of tight ends, Housler could wind up among the first five selected at the position.
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Positives: Prototypical height and speed for the position. Has better upper-body strength than his frame would suggest and does a nice job of gaining a quick release from the line of scrimmage. Has the speed to challenge the seam and shows crisp footwork and good balance as a route-runner. Understands where the holes are against zone coverage and presents a good target to the quarterback. Reliable hands. Can extend and pluck the ball out of the air. Shows some elusiveness after the catch. Lacks the bulk and strength teams are looking for as an in-line blocker, but gives good effort and is surprisingly well-schooled with his technique. Rare maturity. Sat out the 2009 season at the team's request due to a logjam at tight end. Dedicated himself to the practice squad (served as the scout team spread quarterback) and weight-room and was the team's starter throughout 2010.
Negatives: Simply lacks the bulk to compete as an every-down in-line tight end. Gives good effort, but can be knocked backward by bigger, stronger defenders as a run blocker. Can get hung up at the line of scrimmage against a physical jam. Operated in a scheme designed to feature the tight end and thus, his numbers are a bit inflated. Questionable level of competition."
Positive: Fairly athletic pass-catching tight end with an upside. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, runs solid routes, and quickly gets into breaks. Displays the speed to get into the secondary to make plays, nicely adjusts to errant throws, and uses his frame the box out opponents. Displays goodeye/hand coordination and catches the ball away from his frame.
Negative: Unnecessarily leaves his feet at times. Must improve his overall playing balance. Gives effort blocking yet must improve his playing strength.
Analysis: Housler possesses the size/speed numbers and football skills to play at the next level, but he is still rough around the edges. He's a potential third tight end who could help a team two or three years down the road."
Negatives: NInconsistent concentration... Very skinny... Needs to add 15-20 lbs. of muscle... Very poor blocker... Not strong at POA... Needs to add some bulk to rangy frame... Lacks the bulk to deliver anything more than a one on one block in the open field... Is more of a big wide receiver and will be an NFL project that will take a few seasons to fully develop."
Weaknesses: Is he just a big WR or can he gain enough strength to stay a TE/H-Back and improve as a blocker?
Projection: Late 6th, perhaps 7th more likely but he could move up with big all-star and combine efforts."
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Rob Housler is raw as hell, but has intriguing UpSide. MIND you: He's a God Awful Blocker, so, despite his size, he simply isn't likely to make it as a Wing Back. And as a Receiver, he's got a ways to go, both as a Navigator and, frankly, as a catcher of FootBalls.
Nevertheless, he has EXPLOSIVE Speed, which gives him a shot at Wing End. But he's a Project, and a risky one.
And I think his Stock's gotten overly hyped, because of his work at The Combine.
Over Rated.
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