A Call To Arms: Scott Chandler
Scott Chandler
Unrestricted Free Agent
Tight End
Buffalo Bills
6' 7" Tall, 260 pounds
Selected in the 4th round / 2007 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: First Bills' Tight End to produce back-to-back 500 yard seasons.
Pro Bowls: (0)
All Pro selections: (0)
Overview:
Falls into the category of "Sneaky Fast" and creates separation with his length alone. He's been in the NFL for six years, but was seldom used in the first three as he bounced from practice squad to practice squad until he found a home in Buffalo.
Set Career marks in 2013 with 53 catches and 655 yards coming off of a late season ACL injury in 2012. Huge red zone target but, due to shaky quarterback play in Buffalo over three years and the presence of a true power running game, Chandler has been used more as a move-the-chains, safety valve option, particularly last season bailing out a rookie quarterback.
Chandler has been a thorn in Bill Belichick's side for three seasons, enjoying some of his best success against Belichick's defenses.
Fit with Patriots:
If it is true that the first step to building a winner is by building the team to be competitive within it's own division, there certainly isn't a better veteran fit in the tight end market than Chandler.
Having played in the AFC East for the past three seasons, he has had success against and has intimate knowledge of the Jets and Dolphins' defenses, as well as practicing against Buffalo's defense every day. Chandler is an exceptionally smart football player and would be able to grasp the nuances of the position for New England with ease.
His route running is impeccable and has a feel for where to set down in coverages and catches with his hands, rarely letting the ball get to his body - most importantly he has been Buffalo's most reliable target on third down and in the end zone - can take a big hit and has the focus to make the catch in a crowd.
Chandler could be used in the way that Belichick was hoping Jake Ballard would have been used last season, as a situational (Third down/Red Zone) target, as he is exceptional at option routes and comes back for the ball, making sure he shows the quarterback his numbers as a safety valve.
Belichick seems to like bringing in players that he's had difficulty with as an opponent, which makes Chandler an automatic consideration. He's not Gronkowski - no one is or can be - but he's a better receiving option that what the Patriots have had to work with at the position for the last year and a half, plus he's not going to break the bank.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Chandler joining the Pats
Unrestricted Free Agent
Buffalo Bills
6' 7" Tall, 260 pounds
Selected in the 4th round / 2007 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: First Bills' Tight End to produce back-to-back 500 yard seasons.
Pro Bowls: (0)
All Pro selections: (0)
Overview:
Falls into the category of "Sneaky Fast" and creates separation with his length alone. He's been in the NFL for six years, but was seldom used in the first three as he bounced from practice squad to practice squad until he found a home in Buffalo.
Set Career marks in 2013 with 53 catches and 655 yards coming off of a late season ACL injury in 2012. Huge red zone target but, due to shaky quarterback play in Buffalo over three years and the presence of a true power running game, Chandler has been used more as a move-the-chains, safety valve option, particularly last season bailing out a rookie quarterback.
Chandler has been a thorn in Bill Belichick's side for three seasons, enjoying some of his best success against Belichick's defenses.
Fit with Patriots:
If it is true that the first step to building a winner is by building the team to be competitive within it's own division, there certainly isn't a better veteran fit in the tight end market than Chandler.
Having played in the AFC East for the past three seasons, he has had success against and has intimate knowledge of the Jets and Dolphins' defenses, as well as practicing against Buffalo's defense every day. Chandler is an exceptionally smart football player and would be able to grasp the nuances of the position for New England with ease.
His route running is impeccable and has a feel for where to set down in coverages and catches with his hands, rarely letting the ball get to his body - most importantly he has been Buffalo's most reliable target on third down and in the end zone - can take a big hit and has the focus to make the catch in a crowd.
Chandler could be used in the way that Belichick was hoping Jake Ballard would have been used last season, as a situational (Third down/Red Zone) target, as he is exceptional at option routes and comes back for the ball, making sure he shows the quarterback his numbers as a safety valve.
Belichick seems to like bringing in players that he's had difficulty with as an opponent, which makes Chandler an automatic consideration. He's not Gronkowski - no one is or can be - but he's a better receiving option that what the Patriots have had to work with at the position for the last year and a half, plus he's not going to break the bank.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Chandler joining the Pats
