Quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss had “it” for one glorious, record-breaking season in New England. Brady had 50 touchdown passes, Moss had 23 TD catches.
Of course, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice also had “it.” So did Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry; Ken Stabler and Fred Biletnikoff; Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin; Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.
Oklahoma’s Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles, Florida’s Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin, and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are recent collegiate pass-catching duos who had “it.”
The “it” would be the chemistry between a quarterback and wide receiver.
What does “it’’ mean to Russell Wilson?
“It means timing,” said the Wisconsin quarterback. “It means commitment to excellence. It means a lot of different things and you just have to keep working at it.”
What does “it” mean to Nick Toon?
“It’s obviously a crucial aspect,” said the Badger wide receiver. “You have to have good timing and a good feel for one another to have success. Chemistry is important.”
One of the storylines this season will be the developing chemistry between Wilson, the transfer from NC State, and Toon, the fifth-year senior from Middleton.
“They’re in the second half of learning about each other,” said UW receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander. “You’re looking at two weeks of work (in training camp) and we have two weeks to go.
“In the next two weeks, or however many days, they will continue to sharpen that chemistry.”
Toon’s camp has been disjointed because of a foot injury – he tweaked the same foot that sidelined him all spring – and that has limited the practice reps between Toon and Wilson.
Not to worry, Toon says.
“You do everything you can do to stay locked in mentally so you’re prepared when you come back,” he said. “I ran a lot of routes with Russell over the summer. That’s when I got my timing down.”
Not to worry, Wilson says.
“It’s going great with Nick,” he said. “We get together and watch a lot of film and understand what we’re trying to work on. So we’re on the same page. That’s how you keep progressing.”
Alexander isn’t worried about Wilson and Toon, either.
“Because of their maturity,” he said, “Russell’s willingness to do whatever it takes to master our offense and Nick’s hunger based on last year, they’re both eager to please and do whatever it takes.”
What does chemistry mean to Alexander?
“It’s about seeing things,” he said, “being on the same page and being able to communicate verbally and nonverbally. If you’re dealing with two veterans, it doesn’t take long (to develop).”
