“I had several guys,’’ said Russell Wilson when asked if he had a go-to receiver. “That’s what’s really happening here, too. I’ve got several guys I know I can go to in key situations; it’s a good thing.’’
There’s no question, though, that Toon has to stay healthy and return to form – he caught 54 passes in 2009 – because of the lack of experience and depth in the wide receiver rotation.
Last season, Toon was slowed by injuries and limited to 36 catches in nine games. The chemistry that he developed with Scott Tolzien the year before was lessened to a degree by his absences.
“I was thinking in my mind that Nick was a little distracted by the injuries,” Alexander said, “and because he wanted to do more than time allowed it kind of disrupted that chemistry with Tolzien.”
Tolzien and Toon did combine on one of the biggest plays of the 2010 season; a critical third-down conversion in the fourth quarter of the UW’s win over Ohio State that kept a key drive alive.
“That was good players making good plays,” Alexander said.
That bodes well for Wilson and Toon; two very good players.
“They just seem to click together,” said UW fullback Bradie Ewing. “When Russell got here this summer, Nick was showing him around Madison and hanging out with him a lot.
“I don’t know if it was to create that (chemistry) or if it was just kind of natural, but I definitely see that coming. When you put them together, it’s a pretty strong combination.”
