ChrisXVI

Hey man, welcome to the board! My wife is from Evansville, WI (right outside of Madison) so I'm plenty familiar with the Badgers as we watch every game we can. I remember we were over the moon when the Saints drafted Nick Toon! We compared him to Marques Colston when we watched him at Wisconsin and adding him to our team made us jump for joy!

KKSE_Kuba

Great to hear! Yeah, I live in Madison, and my wife & I actually lived in Middleton, Nick's hometown, for a couple years.

I instantly thought once he was drafted by the Saints how much of a weapon he'd be for Drew Brees & Co.

Should be another good draft class for the Badgers - not as good as the past couple years, IMO, but I think they'll be surprising people.

By the way, if anyone has Twitter - feel free to follow me @KKSE_Kuba, or the official podcast Twitter feed, @KielbasaKingsWI. Hopin' we can get Nick back on in a few months after the Draft and between OTAs and Training Camp.

ChrisXVI

After watching all those Badgers games, if the Saints had stuck with the 4-3 defense I would've been cool with drafting Mike Taylor or Chris Borland in the later rounds... But that won't happen now. I'm still all for drafting Ricky Wagner as our new left tackle if he's available when we pick in the 3rd round.

TheOak

Lets let Toon be Toon and become a Toon kind of a receiver.

KKSE_Kuba

It will be interesting to see how Taylor does in the NFL - he suffered a sports hernia injury that he's still recovering from and wasn't able to compete in the Combine or Wisconsin's Pro Day. He's scheduled for his own personal Pro Day on the 27th - I think he'll be a solid player in the NFL, just underrated. Coverage skills may need some work, but he racked up 150 and 123 tackles in the past 2 seasons each. I know Bielema thought he was underrated.

Borland's at Wisconsin right now as their DC is installing a 3-4...they'll switch between a 4-3 and 3-4 this year, and that experience could really make him a commodity, besides his highly athletic style.

Wagner's stock fell with the O-Line's struggles in 2012, but I think he'll be a RT in the NFL.

Toon definitely has that pedigree. I was really impressed when we asked him about his father's influence. Said it wasn't just professional, that he's a dad first, and I loved that answer. Definitely was one of the better interviews we've had on the show.

hagan714

the number two position is Toon's to take. The saints have been looking for a player opposite of Colston for years.

lumm0x

Love the intangibles about Toon but unless he gets on the field he will be Arrington part 2. Famous quote - you don't make the team in the tub.

Even a guy like Chris Ivory, who typically becomes solid gold when he is healthy enough to contribute becomes the forgotten man when he can't suit up.

Rugby Saint II

Toon has looked good whenever he was on the field. Then he went on IR for that pesky hang nail problem.lol

KKSE_Kuba

Thanks for the replies guys.

Packers fans know a thing or two about draft picks being injured and not seeing the field. DLs Justin Harrell and Mike Neal (the latter, who finally was healthy enough to contribute consistently last year) are fresh in their memories.

One more former Badgers alum I'd like your thoughts on - former Saint and now Bucs LB Jonathan Casillas. Thought he had some flashes, but would love your guys thoughts on him.

darksoul35

Welcome. I think he can break into the active roster just as long as he stays healthy. Im looking forward to seeing him play.