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Traveling Man
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
By NICK WAGONER
Staff Writer
Chris Chandler knows almost every feeling an NFL quarterback can experience. From the highest of highs (leading Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance) to the lowest of lows (myriad injuries), Chandler moves on.
His newest endeavor is as St. Louis’ backup quarterback behind starter Marc Bulger . Chandler comes to the Rams with an impressive resume. Entering his 17th season, Chandler has accumulated 28,021 passing yards and 168 touchdown passes. He has started for a league-record seven different NFL teams, including time with the Los Angeles version of the Rams.
Chandler’s best seasons came in Atlanta, where he helped the team to its only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. After a one-season stint with Chicago, where he posted 1,050 passing yards and three touchdowns in limited starts, Chandler got an offer from Rams’ coach Mike Martz that was too good to pass on.
He could stay in Chicago and resume his backup role or go to St. Louis, where he could be the backup in one the league’s most dangerous offenses. When the Bears gave him his release, it was a no-brainer. He headed south down Interstate 55 to St. Louis, bringing his vast game experience with him.
Chandler said the idea of playing for Martz and with talented players such as Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce made the choice easy. “It’s great here,” Chandler said. “I respect Coach Martz immensely, and have for quite a while. The talent here is unbelievable and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
When Chandler signed with St. Louis, the quarterback picture was somewhat muddled. Two-time MVP Kurt Warner was still with the team and Bulger was emerging as one of the league’s better young quarterbacks.
In addition, the Rams drafted Jeff Smoker in April as the team’s third quarterback. It didn’t take long to see that Chandler was going to be the team’s No. 2 guy heading into the season. St. Louis released Warner at the beginning of June.
Martz said Chandler is the perfect complement to Bulger. “Veterans always have their way of doing things, and on Chris’ behalf, for a guy that has been as successful as he has been, he’s not done that,” Martz said. “You couldn’t ask for a better situation with a veteran like Chris.”
Chandler spent most of the early parts of training camp knocking the rust off, but by the time the Bears came to town for a scrimmage Saturday, Chandler was ready. In that scrimmage, Chandler completed all six of his attempts for 58 yards, setting up an Arlen Harris’ touchdown run.
Chandler has had few problems adjusting to the Rams’ complicated offense, but admits he still has learning to do.
“All I know about this offense is that there is so much that gets put in,” Chandler said. “Mentally, it’s the most challenging offense I’ve ever been in. So from that standpoint, I have a plate full to deal with. This offense has the ability to put a lot of points on the board and hopefully we will do that.”
Chandler’s role isn’t limited to backup quarterback. He is also the mentor for Bulger and Smoker. Like with any quarterback who has been in the league as long as Chandler, he has taken it upon himself to show the young passers the ropes. Smoker said Chandler is a great asset to him as he develops as an NFL quarterback.
“It’s great having him around,” Smoker said. “Chris is a great guy and he’s seen a lot of different things throughout his career.”
Chandler has written almost every chapter of his career, with varying degrees of success. With a new season and new team around him, there is only one thing left do, something he has never done: win the Super Bowl. “You look at the skill positions and this is as good as anywhere in the league,” Chandler said. “And definitely as good, and better, as anywhere I’ve been at.”
Sounds like the recipe for a happy ending to Chandler’s story.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
By NICK WAGONER
Staff Writer
Chris Chandler knows almost every feeling an NFL quarterback can experience. From the highest of highs (leading Atlanta to a Super Bowl appearance) to the lowest of lows (myriad injuries), Chandler moves on.
His newest endeavor is as St. Louis’ backup quarterback behind starter Marc Bulger . Chandler comes to the Rams with an impressive resume. Entering his 17th season, Chandler has accumulated 28,021 passing yards and 168 touchdown passes. He has started for a league-record seven different NFL teams, including time with the Los Angeles version of the Rams.
Chandler’s best seasons came in Atlanta, where he helped the team to its only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. After a one-season stint with Chicago, where he posted 1,050 passing yards and three touchdowns in limited starts, Chandler got an offer from Rams’ coach Mike Martz that was too good to pass on.
He could stay in Chicago and resume his backup role or go to St. Louis, where he could be the backup in one the league’s most dangerous offenses. When the Bears gave him his release, it was a no-brainer. He headed south down Interstate 55 to St. Louis, bringing his vast game experience with him.
Chandler said the idea of playing for Martz and with talented players such as Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce made the choice easy. “It’s great here,” Chandler said. “I respect Coach Martz immensely, and have for quite a while. The talent here is unbelievable and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
When Chandler signed with St. Louis, the quarterback picture was somewhat muddled. Two-time MVP Kurt Warner was still with the team and Bulger was emerging as one of the league’s better young quarterbacks.
In addition, the Rams drafted Jeff Smoker in April as the team’s third quarterback. It didn’t take long to see that Chandler was going to be the team’s No. 2 guy heading into the season. St. Louis released Warner at the beginning of June.
Martz said Chandler is the perfect complement to Bulger. “Veterans always have their way of doing things, and on Chris’ behalf, for a guy that has been as successful as he has been, he’s not done that,” Martz said. “You couldn’t ask for a better situation with a veteran like Chris.”
Chandler spent most of the early parts of training camp knocking the rust off, but by the time the Bears came to town for a scrimmage Saturday, Chandler was ready. In that scrimmage, Chandler completed all six of his attempts for 58 yards, setting up an Arlen Harris’ touchdown run.
Chandler has had few problems adjusting to the Rams’ complicated offense, but admits he still has learning to do.
“All I know about this offense is that there is so much that gets put in,” Chandler said. “Mentally, it’s the most challenging offense I’ve ever been in. So from that standpoint, I have a plate full to deal with. This offense has the ability to put a lot of points on the board and hopefully we will do that.”
Chandler’s role isn’t limited to backup quarterback. He is also the mentor for Bulger and Smoker. Like with any quarterback who has been in the league as long as Chandler, he has taken it upon himself to show the young passers the ropes. Smoker said Chandler is a great asset to him as he develops as an NFL quarterback.
“It’s great having him around,” Smoker said. “Chris is a great guy and he’s seen a lot of different things throughout his career.”
Chandler has written almost every chapter of his career, with varying degrees of success. With a new season and new team around him, there is only one thing left do, something he has never done: win the Super Bowl. “You look at the skill positions and this is as good as anywhere in the league,” Chandler said. “And definitely as good, and better, as anywhere I’ve been at.”
Sounds like the recipe for a happy ending to Chandler’s story.
