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Arizona Cardinals fans know all about Rob Housler and expectations. Since he was drafted, the buzz has been about how good he was going to be. Unfortunately, that huge expected impact has not happened.
SB Nation is running a series on last season's notable underachievers and James Brady focused on Housler and whether he could turn things around in 2014.
Brady aptly describes Housler as "a pass-catching specialist, using a solid combination of size and speed to burn unsuspecting opponents," a player not known for much of a blocker.
However, Brady seems to indicate that Housler is in grave jeopardy of not making the roster, which really isn't the case. Yes, he is correct in the stakes there are in the NFL, but it is overstated.
This is the final year of his rookie contract, and the Cardinals can financially afford to keep him on, but the possibility of them wanting the roster spot for someone else is very real.
At this point, there would only be an outside chance of his not making the roster. Bruce Arians will keep four tight ends on the roster. John Carlson and Jake Ballard are currently ahead of Housler and Troy Niklas has missed a lot of time because of hernia surgery and a broken hand. But Housler is still way ahead of other tight ends like Darren Fells and Andre Hardy, who are making the transition from basketball to football.
Likewise, Housler had a great offseason.
The question remains as to whether or not he can be successful in 2014. The issue is playing time.
Carlson has impressed everybody and Ballard has the build that Arians wants. Niklas does, too. How will Housler get playing time?
Of course, history says that he should. Why? John Carlson and Jake Ballard have missed a lot of time from injuries. Niklas already has had bad luck. Housler will get a chance.
Will he be the impact player he has been projected to be? That is what remains to be seen.
