HIS OWN WORST CRITIC : Charger Wes Chandler Is Still Trying to Live Up to His Own Expectations

Even now, eight years into his pro football career, Wes Chandler has dreams that far outstrip his accomplishments.

At 29, an age when many players are fearful of losing a step, Chandler dreams of that one spectacular season when he leaves all the defensive backs wondering which way he went. Of course, all the doubters would also be wondering why it took so long.

“I’ve never played up to my expectations,” the Charger veteran said recently. “I expect a helluva lot out of Wes Chandler. I’d like to think I could go out and do just about anything under the sun.”

He has had a taste of what it could be like.

For half a season, he was the most feared receiver in pro football. Nothing he did before or since measured up to what Chandler accomplished in the strike-shortened year of 1982. But, still, he is free to dream.

In eight games he caught 49 passes for 1,032 yards and nine touchdowns. Double those figures--as Chandler does in his mind, projecting what might have happened over a full season--and you have the greatest season any receiver ever put together.

“It could happen again,” Chandler said. “I’m totally healthy and feeling very comfortable. I can do things with emotional ease.”

Married in the off-season, Chandler seems more stable and at peace with himself. There have been numerous physical hurts since 1982, including broken teeth, sprained feet and kidney problems, but mood swings have been nearly as troubling.

“There are still days when it’s not the brightest,” Chandler said. “On those days you have to give your all to cover up.

“Being married, the job means more to me now. I’m not just working for Wes Chandler, I’m working for a family. My wife isn’t a big football fan, but that’s OK. She’s a Wes Chandler fan.”

Chandler speaks confidently of his ability, but he has also been tormented by doubts since the beginning of his career. He quit football as a 10th grader, returning only when his coach and future agent, Bud Asher, convinced him he had talent.

When Chandler was acquired by the Chargers from New Orleans in 1981, Asher called him the best all-around athlete in the National Football League.

He had seen Chandler perform as a consensus All-American at the University of Florida after a high school career in which he led his team in rushing and receiving, and also handled punts, kickoffs and extra points.

Chandler’s grace and speed produced such plays as a 75-yard punt return against Auburn, which was nullified by a penalty. Florida came back with a pass to the panting Chandler, who again went all the way, leaving several defenders pounding the turf. The Auburn mascot, a live eagle, left his perch, flew over to Chandler and pecked his shoulder pads, according to Asher.

Whether the story is totally true or not, Chandler has been pursued by great expectations since he entered the NFL.

While with New Orleans he twice enjoyed seasons in which he caught 65 passes and scored six touchdowns. Quite impressive, but somehow less than was expected.

In his first year with the Chargers, Chandler had 52 catches, a total he nearly equaled a year later in that aborted, but sensational season of 1982. In the two seasons since then, Chandler caught 58 passes in 1983 and 52 in 1984.

He has been a good player for the Chargers, but some observers thought he ought to be great. Based on his own comments, Chandler agreed with the critics.

What, then, has held him back?

It’s a question Charger receivers coach Al Saunders has wrestled with, and there is no short answer.

Part of a coach’s job is to get inside the psyche of each athlete so that he can help the player get the most out of his physical ability. The better a coach penetrates the inner workings of a player, the more delicate is the process of extracting tangible results on the field.

Choosing his words with care, Saunders suggested that Chandler can still become a great receiver as long as he maintains a high level of confidence and doesn’t permit his doubts to interfere with his performance.

“Thus far in training camp, Wes has shown he has made great strides and is going into the season with a good physical and mental approach,” Saunders said.

“We hope he can maintain that approach throughout the season. He is a very proud person, and he seems determined to have an outstanding year. We will be a much more successful team if he does.”

Saunders cautioned against judging Chandler strictly by the numbers. The coaches would be just as happy to have 10 receivers catch 50 passes each as they would if a couple of receivers had 90 receptions. But an even distribution doesn’t satisfy the egos of all involved, in Air Coryell or any offense.

“The number of catches by an individual is a misleading indicator of how well he has played,” Saunders said. “What we want from Wes is some big plays after he catches the ball. We need a guy who can turn a 10-yard completion into a 50-yard touchdown, and that’s the sort of ability Wes has.”

Saunders is withholding predictions, but he is optimistic Chandler will have a productive season.

“I believe that Wes will become more even-keeled and goal-oriented as a result of his marriage,” Saunders said. “Our fondest hope is that he plays as well as he can, as he did in 1982.”

Chandler is hoping for the swift return of tight end Kellen Winslow from a knee injury and for a strong debut by receiver Trumaine Johnson, plucked from the United States Football League.

“Kellen has a tremendous impact on the Chargers and on every team we play,” Chandler said. “He’s a large chunk (of the offense). It hurts to have him down.

“Trumaine has already showed me he has enough talent to have an effect on the defense, too. I know I’m going to get my share of passes, and I’m very positive about the season.”

Before leaving his home in New Orleans and reporting to training camp, Chandler thought about the next time he might set foot in New Orleans.

“I had this dream of coming back in January,” he said. “And I don’t mean coming back to my house. I want to spend a week in a hotel as a player in the Super Bowl before I go back to my own house. I do have that dream.”