Report: Tight end Scott Chandler visiting Colts today

The first day of the "legal tampering period" starts today, and it sounds like the Indianapolis Colts do indeed have a player visit lined up.  It's not a soon-to-be free agent, however, it's a player who was cut by his team and therefore can sign immediately, as NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that former Patriots tight end Scott Chandler is visiting the Colts today.

Chandler was released by the Patriots earlier this month after one year with the team, and that makes him eligible to sign immediately with a team rather than having to wait for the start of the new league year.  In his one season in New England as the backup to Rob Gronkowski, Chandler played in 15 games and started four, catching 23 passes for 259 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per reception.  He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft out of Iowa by the San Diego Chargers in 2007, but he played in just one game during his two seasons there due to injury.  He then spent time on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, the New York Giants' active roster, the Cowboys' practice squad (again) and active roster, and then was signed by the Buffalo Bills.  Chandler's career turned around in Buffalo, as he spent five seasons there and played in 65 games, starting 35, and recorded 182 receptions for 2,120 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 11.6 yards per catch.

The Colts could very well be in the tight end market, depending on how their negotiations with their own tight ends are going.  It's expected that the team will only be able to keep one of them - either Dwayne Allen or Coby Fleener - and, though Jack Doyle will likely be back (the Colts extended a restricted free agent tender to him), the team could still use more competition at the position.  I don't think the fact that the Colts have Chandler in for a visit means that they fear not re-signing either Allen or Fleener, but since nothing has happened yet, we can't be confident in it actually happening quite yet.  So it's smart for the team to be proactive about potential tight end fits, whether they are going to re-sign one of their tight ends or not.