Why Scott Chandler Could Have His Best Season in 2014
Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) and strong safety Chris Clemons (30) try to tackle Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler (84) after a catch during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Dolphins 19-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Chandler left the Buffalo Bills in dramatic fashion in 2013, sustaining a knee injury in December that required offseason surgery. Even with a struggling passing game, Scott Chandler was on pace to have the best season of his career before injuries plagued the Bills offense. In 2014, Chandler will pick up where he left off and have a career season for the Buffalo Bills.
Scott Chandler isn’t the fastest tight end. He isn’t the strongest and he can’t jump the highest. What makes Scott Chandler a threat as a tight end is his height and slightly above average hands. There isn’t a linebacker or safety in the league who can cover Scott Chandler between the hash marks. With the additions of Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams, along with a healthy backfield, Chandler seems to be a lesser threat.
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When teams underestimate Scott Chandler he thrives. In man coverage, Chandler has the height to make any catch over a defender. In zone coverage, his catch radius is too big to cover as a linebacker which makes the gaps between safeties a gold mine for Scott Chandler. Now a top-tier linebacker who excels in pass coverage may be able to handle Scott Chandler, but what team is going to put their best coverage linebacker on Chandler when the Buffalo Bills have arguably the deepest backfield in the league. Also factor in Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in the slot; there simply aren’t enough bodies to cover everyone. Obviously teams will have to hope they can cover Scott Chandler because they know they can’t risk letting anyone else get the ball.
Ironically, the fact that Scott Chandler isn’t the greatest tight end or offensive player on the Bills roster makes him the Bills biggest threat. The NFL is all about matchups; Any fantasy football champion (like myself) knows this to be true. When you look back to the Bills last season, Buffalo had a lot of missed third down conversions, as they finished 29th in the league.
Personally, I think Scott Chandler needs to bulk up a bit to avoid getting knocked around by hard-hitting safeties. Besides that, Chandler needs to continue to show improvement. However, if he continues to do so, he could be primed for the best season of his career.
It’s safe to say if Scott Chandler has his best season, the Buffalo Bills could be heading to the playoffs.