Coaches' Tape Review: Rob Housler Needs Someone To Block

[kerouac9]

I've mentioned a couple of times that I think Bruce Arians likes to run a power-running scheme but has been forced to run more zone-blocking concepts because of shortfalls on our offensive line.

I was looking for something fun to do for Coaches' Tape this week, and I found this first-quarter run play with Stepfan Taylor (yes), pulling linemen (yes!) and Rob Housler not blocking anyone (YES!).

The situation is Arizona's second drive of the game, 6:09 remaining in the first quarter. 1st and 10 on the Oakland 32 yard line following a defensive holding penalty. Ellington is on the sideline following a 37 yard reception.

The Cards are operating from 12 personnel with Stepfan Taylor so deep into the backfield that he's not on the screen at the beginning of the play. Michael Floyd is split very close to the line, actually inside of TE John Carlson, who goes across the formation to the right side of the line.

A lot of people think that "power running" is about attitude or man-blocking and winning run situation one-on-one. This is a mistake. The heart of the power running game is to create numerical advantages on one side of the center or the other.

In this play, left guard Ted Larsen and Rob Housler are going to pull outside of the right tackle to create that mismatch. Palmer and Talylor must've been licking their chops at the opportunity when they see the Raiders come out with an unbalanced set and six defenders on the backside of the play at the snap.

 

[kerouac9]

The blocking is absolutely ideal here. The Raiders' defensive line isn't particularly good; 19th in FootballOutsiders advanced metrics.

Carlson gets a free release at the line with a linebacker attempting to cover him. Fitzgerald puts pressure on the opposing cornerback.

Remember that the original line of scrimmage here was the 32 yard line. The Cards' OL has pushed the raiders on the playside two yards downfield before Kulabafi even gets the football.

Meanwhile, Ted Larsen and Rob Housler are coming around the edge to really put some bodies on the ground.

Well, Ted Larsen is looking for someone to hit.

 

[kerouac9]

Stepfan Taylor makes the cut he is supposed to make right off Massie's hip, and Housler begins looking for a body to run into.

As you can see above, Housler probably should have turned back to the weak side of the play and looked for someone to help out on. But that would require him to get his jersey dirty, so he runs for open space.

Eventually, he finds a defensive back. This is a good matchup for Housler, because he probably outweighs the defensive back by 30-50 lbs and is several inches taller than him.

Highlight reel.

 

[kerouac9]

Whoops.

Rob Housler completely misses the only guy on the play who could possibly make a tackle.

It's possible that Usama Young had some kind of cloaking device or worked some witchcraft, because all Housler can do is turn around and let Kulabafi know that someone's coming in.

 

[kerouac9]

At this point it's pretty clear that we're in the "fighting for extra yards" phase of the play, and Housler knows that he may not have actually touched a defender yet.

That's going to look bad on tape.

So let me see if I can kind of back into a safety who's completely out of the play.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I actually remember that play and watching the replay and seeing Housler get out front in front of Taylor and thinking he totally could have sprung that for a much larger gain if he didn't run right away from the only defender close to the play.

that kid sucks. he sucks as a receiver and a blocker. dead weight.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

RM: This is your only I.D.?

<He is looking at the Ralph's Shopper's Club card.>

DUDE: I know my rights.

RM: You don't know crap, Housler.

DUDE: I want a flipping lawyer, man. I want Bill Kunstler.

RM: Mr. Bidwill tells us that he had to eject you from his football team, that you were dropping passes and missing blocks.

DUDE: That guy treats football players like objects, man.

RM: Mr. Bidwill draws a lot of tickets in this town, Housler. You don't draw horse poop. We got a nice quiet football community here, and I aim to keep it nice and quiet. So let me make something plain. I don't like you sucking around bothering our football players, Housler. I don't like your jerk- off name, I don't like your ******** face, I don't like your jerk- off behavior, and I don't like you, ******** --do I make myself clear?

<The Dude stares.>

DUDE: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening.

<Rugbymuffin hurls a football at the Dude. It sails right between his hands and hits him in the forehead with a thud. Rugbymuffin is already up off his chair, rounding the desk.>

DUDE: --Ow! Fascist!

<Rugbymuyffin kicks the chair out from under the Dude, and then starts
kicking at him. Which the dude tries to block, but of course misses.>

RM: Stay out of Arizona, Housler! Stay out of Arizona, deadbeat! Keep your ugly goldbricking arse off my football roster!

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[Mulli]

What dope said Housler was going to be a star?

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Didn't he also whif on the block that would've afforded Ellington a huge TD gain?

 

[Jetstream Green]

Damn it Dude, put a hat on someone... SOMEONE!

 

[don7031]

That play also highlights why the Cardinals have had so much success bouncing plays to the outside this season. The Cardinals wide outs do an excellent job in the running game. And it all starts with Larry Fitzgerald leading by example.

 

[Jetstream Green]

That play also highlights why the Cardinals have had so much success bouncing plays to the outside this season. The Cardinals wide outs do an excellent job in the running game. And it all starts with Larry Fitzgerald leading by example.

Larry does block well and willingly often but he is hardly an example for Floyd, Floyd played like that while at Notre Dame and was noted for his blocking

 

[LDL]

RM: This is your only I.D.?

<He is looking at the Ralph's Shopper's Club card.>

DUDE: I know my rights.

RM: You don't know crap, Housler.

DUDE: I want a flipping lawyer, man. I want Bill Kunstler.

RM: Mr. Bidwill tells us that he had to eject you from his football team, that you were dropping passes and missing blocks.

DUDE: That guy treats football players like objects, man.

RM: Mr. Bidwill draws a lot of tickets in this town, Housler. You don't draw horse poop. We got a nice quiet football community here, and I aim to keep it nice and quiet. So let me make something plain. I don't like you sucking around bothering our football players, Housler. I don't like your jerk- off name, I don't like your ******** face, I don't like your jerk- off behavior, and I don't like you, ******** --do I make myself clear?

<The Dude stares.>

DUDE: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening.

<Rugbymuffin hurls a football at the Dude. It sails right between his hands and hits him in the forehead with a thud. Rugbymuffin is already up off his chair, rounding the desk.>

DUDE: --Ow! Fascist!

<Rugbymuyffin kicks the chair out from under the Dude, and then starts
kicking at him. Which the dude tries to block, but of course misses.>

RM: Stay out of Malibu, Lebowski! Stay out of Malibu, deadbeat! Keep your ugly goldbricking arse off my football roster!

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Awesome!

 

[Phrazbit]

RM: This is your only I.D.?

<He is looking at the Ralph's Shopper's Club card.>

DUDE: I know my rights.

RM: You don't know crap, Housler.

DUDE: I want a flipping lawyer, man. I want Bill Kunstler.

RM: Mr. Bidwill tells us that he had to eject you from his football team, that you were dropping passes and missing blocks.

DUDE: That guy treats football players like objects, man.

RM: Mr. Bidwill draws a lot of tickets in this town, Housler. You don't draw horse poop. We got a nice quiet football community here, and I aim to keep it nice and quiet. So let me make something plain. I don't like you sucking around bothering our football players, Housler. I don't like your jerk- off name, I don't like your ******** face, I don't like your jerk- off behavior, and I don't like you, ******** --do I make myself clear?

<The Dude stares.>

DUDE: I'm sorry, I wasn't listening.

<Rugbymuffin hurls a football at the Dude. It sails right between his hands and hits him in the forehead with a thud. Rugbymuffin is already up off his chair, rounding the desk.>

DUDE: --Ow! Fascist!

<Rugbymuyffin kicks the chair out from under the Dude, and then starts
kicking at him. Which the dude tries to block, but of course misses.>

RM: Stay out of Malibu, Lebowski! Stay out of Malibu, deadbeat! Keep your ugly goldbricking arse off my football roster!

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Next week:

In a taxi on the way home from the game...

Radio: "The Cardinals need to find a tight end, more dropped passes and poor blocking today against Philly"

Dude-Housler: "Man... could you change the channel?"

Driver: "Forget you Housler! You don't like my station you can your own cab!"

Dude-Housler: "Man come on, I had a really rough game and I hate the freaking Eagles man!"

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[RugbyMuffin]

Next week:

In a taxi on the way home from the game...

Radio: "The Cardinals need to find a tight end, more dropped passes and poor blocking today against Philly"

Dude-Housler: "Man... could you change the channel?"

Driver: "Forget you Housler! You don't like my station you can your own cab!"

Dude-Housler: "Man come on, I had a really rough game and I hate the freaking Eagles man!"

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LOL

Well done!

 

[Russ Smith]

I assume that's the 13 yard run I mentioned on Monday? It was hilarious, he basically had 3 blocks on the play and 2 he just didn't block the 3rd he whiffed.

 

[CT Card Fan]

Is it just me, or does anybody else hear Queen in their head with this play?

Can anybody find me.......somebody to block?

 

[ARZCardinals]

I think Nick was going to allow us to cut Housler...but due to his injuries ...we are stuck with him. It's not by want, but necessity.

Housler has 2 years left in this league...he won't be back here next year and another team won't put up with him more than one season.

I personally am done with the guy...He's the best of the worst.