Chandler pushing hard to make impact
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
Chargers tight end Scott Chandler is a bit torn when trying to describe his rookie season. As a student of the game he felt satisfied, but as a competitor, his first NFL campaign left a little to be desired.
“It was tons of fun, but it got frustrating standing on the sidelines,” said Chandler, a fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft who was inactive for all but one game as a rookie. “That’s not what anyone wants to do here.
“But you go back and look at it and it was a really good chance to learn. You get to watch (Antonio) Gates and Brandon (Manumaleuna) every week. I didn’t have any pressure on me to perform during games. It’s something I’ll look back on and I’ll be glad that I had, but obviously you want to be in the League to play.”
Early in the Chargers offseason, Chandler has been given plenty of opportunities to grow, and he’s hopeful that his production yields more snaps this fall.
“I think right now my biggest goal is to get on the field,” Chandler said. “I don’t have any statistical goals. I just want to get on the field and help out however I can. If that’s on special teams … great. If it’s on offense … great. It’s a lot easier this offseason, knowing the offense and being ready to go. I know what to expect. I came out with a purpose, knowing what I want to get better at.”
Chandler mentions a few specific areas he’d like to improve on this offseason, such as keeping his 6-foot-7 frame lower while running routes and running them quicker and smoother. He’s also dedicated himself to the team’s offseason conditioning program to help improve his speed and strength. Chandler’s work has pleased his head coach.
“Scott really came on as a young player last year,” Norv Turner said. “We just want him to make the development he should make as a player. He’s a good football player and he’s getting better.”
With Gates on the sideline recovering from offseason toe surgery, Chandler has spent much of his time in mini camp and Offseason Coaching Sessions working alongside Manumaleuna with the first-team offense. He believes that experience has been extremely beneficial.
“Right now we’re going ones verses ones,” Chandler said. “That means I’m going against the first defense every day. It’s always good to go with them because they know the tempo we need to play at. A lot of the twos and threes are made up of young guys. There’s a lot more teaching going on there, but with the ones, you just kind of go out there and run the plays and run the offense. That’s something that’s good for everyone.”
Chandler has also seen his role on special teams increase this summer, and he understands the importance of being an asset in the kicking game.
“If I’m a third tight end and I can’t contribute on special teams, there’s no point in dressing me,” Chandler said. “I definitely need to contribute in the kicking game so that I can then get on the field on offense.”
As a rookie, Chandler was on the field for just one game but gained some invaluable experience on the practice field, specifically during the postseason. After Gates injured his toe in the Bolts’ Wild Card win over Tennessee, Chandler saw his reps increase in practice the next two weeks.
He anxiously awaited an opportunity to suit up during the Chargers’ final two postseason games before Gates fought through the pain and played. That left Chandler inactive at Indianapolis and New England.
“I thought when I got to the locker room that I was going to play (against the Colts),” Chandler recalls. “Then I got in there and there were no pads in my locker. Norv came up and told me Gates was going to play and he appreciated my work during the week getting ready to go. It was the same thing the next week in New England. From a competitor’s standpoint, it was a little tough.”
As is the case with his outlook on the entire season, Chandler just looks at the glass as half full and looks to the future.
“Even though I didn’t end up suiting up, that was a great experience,” Chandler said. “I got to prepare those two weeks for playoff games. Practice was intense. All of those experiences are going to pay off for me. I can’t wait.”
Mike Nowak
Chargers tight end Scott Chandler appreciated the opportunity he had to learn as a rookie, but he’s anxious to get on the field in his second NFL season.
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