Rob Housler hopes to make bigger impact in 2012

Jun 1, 2012, 12:33 AM | Updated: 2:06 am

Rookies all across the NFL have gotten their first
taste of offseason action through OTAs in the month of
May. For second-year players like Arizona Cardinals tight
end Rob Housler, it’s a first time learning experience as
well.

Because teams were kept from almost all of their preseason
workouts and camps going into 2011 due to the
lockout, Housler was without the benefit of a real
training camp until now.

“I really wish I would have had this this time last year,
but I have it in front of me now, so I’m trying to take
advantage of it,” Housler told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug
and Wolf on Thursday.

Housler finished 2011 with 12 catches for 133 yards, but
saw limited playing time behind Todd Heap and Jeff King.

Housler admits he didn’t realize how much of a toll the
NFL season would have on him, and that he hit the ‘rookie
wall’ about halfway through the season.

“It’s extremely demanding on your body, it’s really hard
to put that into words to any rookie,” Housler said. “It’s
one thing you just have to experience. You have to know
how to pace yourself, keep your body healthy and eat,
sleep and just live right.”

Housler is looking to veterans on the team for lessons,
and hopes to make a bigger impact on the 2012 season.

“I’m feeling really good and I’m excited to get training
camp started and get more experience before the season
starts,”
Housler said. “I wasn’t even a blip on the radar last
year, and that’s not the kind of player I feel like I am.
That’s not the kind of player I want to be, I want to be
an impact player. I want to go in and make a big
difference.”

Cardinals QBs Kevin Kolb and John Skelton wait 
to throw during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals QB Richard Bartel throws a pass 
during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals linemen stand around during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald gives some 
pointers to rookie wideout Michael Floyd at 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald lines up at 
Cardinals OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb throws a pass during 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb stands around at OTAs 
on Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Isaih Williams makes a catch along the 
sidelines during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Ryan Williams goes through drills 
during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Richard Bartel throws a pass at OTAs Thursday. 
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Larry Fitzgerald has a drink during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Ryan Williams goes through drills 
during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Larry Fitzgerald bounces off a "defender" and 
prepares to catch a pass during OTAs Thursday. 
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Cardinals QBs Kevin Kolb and John Skelton get 
ready to snap the ball during OTAs Thursday. 
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive linemen Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams 
and Calais Campbell run through a drill during 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Safeties Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson wait 
before a play is run during OTAs Thursday. 
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Larry Fitzgerald makes a catch during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Safety Adrian Wilson during OTAs Thursday. 
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Cornerback Patrick Peterson takes a break 
during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Larry Fitzgerald prepares to catch a pass 
during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive linemen Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams 
and Calais Campbell get set for a drill during 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Calais Campbell takes a break during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive linemen Darnell Dockett, Dan Williams 
and Calais Campbell run through a drill during 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports) Kerry Rhodes makes a catch during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Patrick Peterson makes a catch during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Darnell Dockett during OTAs Thursday. (Photo by 
Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Rookie Jamell Fleming makes a catch during OTAs 
Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Kevin Kolb. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Ken Whisenhunt shares a laugh with linebacker 
Daryl Washington during OTAs Thursday. (Photo 
by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Daryl Washington. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Safety Kerry Rhodes stretches with teammates 
prior to OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam 
Green/Arizona Sports) Larry Fitzgerald and Kevin Kolb stretch before 
OTAs Thursday. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona 
Sports)

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(Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)...

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Rob Housler hopes to make bigger impact in 2012