BY JEFF GORDON
Post-Dispatch Online Sports Columnist
Thursday, Dec. 09 2004
Rams coach Mike Martz knew this could happen. He knew he might need a capable
quarterback to step in for
Marc Bulger at some point during the 2004 season.
After electing to move Kurt Warner down the trail, Martz zeroed in on veteran
Chris Chandler. Martz knew Chandler, respected his mental and physical
attributes and believed he could still play.
And here we are. Bulger is sidelined by a shoulder injury and Chandler will
lead the Rams into their critical battle at Carolina.
Martz believes Chandler will come through. Rams Nation hopes he is right,
because this team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance.
Mad Mike didn’t mist up when discussing the quarterback change, as Dick Vermeil
would have. Rather, Martz got feisty.
STLtoday.com readers probably remember that your cyber-correspondent viewed
Chandler’s ascension with some dread, given all those miles on Chris’ odometer.
After Sunday’s 16-6 “victory” over the San Francisco *****, I expressed some of
that dread on this web site.
Martz responded with some salvoes of his own during Wednesday’s news conference.
“When we signed him, he’s not 500 years old, he’s 38,” Mad Mike said.
(Actually, we described him as the “900-year-old Chandler,” but the coach’s
point is well taken. Even after his Oct. 12 birthday, our exaggeration is a
whopping 861 years.)
“It doesn’t matter how old he is, he can play,” Martz continued. “He has
terrific legs. He’s in there on the treadmill for 35 minutes on (level) nine. I
don’t know if any of you can do that, and I know I can’t.”
(Got me there. What’s the word our 1380 ESPN fitness editor used to describe
me? “Deconditioned”? That’s a polite euphemism for “lard bottom”. Chris would
dust me on the treadmill.)
“I think that, and the fact that his arm strength hasn’t been diminished at
all,” Martz said, continuing his roll. “He’s still on top of his game, in terms
of seeing things and accuracy. All of those things, physically, would lend
itself to believe that he still has a lot of football left in him. Otherwise,
we would have never signed him to a two-year deal.”
Martz’s move appeared prescient during the preseason, when Chandler starred. He
completed 29 of 44 passes for 472 yards (fifth-most in exhibition play) and two
touchdowns.
Chandler threw a pretty touchdown pass to
Torry Holt in Sunday’s victory,
scraping off some rust to earn the “W” in relief. So Martz isn’t worried about
throwing him into such a high-pressure situation Sunday.
“He’s been through all of the playoffs,” the coach said. “He’s been to a Super
Bowl. He’s been there. He knows how to prepare. He knows how to get himself
right. A lot of quarterbacks, and this is going to sound silly, but they don’t
know themselves in big games yet.
“The players look to him for guidance. They know he’s been there before, and he
knows the right things to do. He’ll manage the game properly, and if it’s
something he’s confused about then we’ll stay away from it and move on. He can
make those clutch throws and clutch plays to win a game.”
I’ve still got my doubts, having seen Chandler labor through some memorably bad
outings against the Rams in recent years. And this match-up raises lots of
important questions:
Can inexperienced right tackle Blaine Saipaia keep Panthers sackmaster Julius
Peppers off Chandler?
Will the Rams be able to balance their offense with a strong run game even
though both Marshall Faulk and
Steven Jackson are slowed by knee bruises?
If back-up running back Arlen Harris has to start in their place, will the Rams
have further problems with their pass protection schemes?
Chandler’s first start during this latest Rams stint will come on the road
against a strong, well-coached defensive team with plenty at stake. This game
is not set up for him to succeed.
So if Chris can respond to the challenge and lead the Rams to victory, the
critics -– including this smart-aleck -– will have to finally get off his back
for good.
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