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New Orleans Saints second-year receiver Nick Toon subscribes to the theory things don't just happen. There is a reason for everything.

That is the only way he can make sense of last season and not be frustrated by the foot injury that derailed his rookie campaign before it even had a chance to get started.

"It was frustrating, but it definitely wasn't a negative," Toon said of the foot injury and subsequent surgery that caused him to miss his entire rookie season. "That was supposed to happen because it gave me an opportunity to step back, get healthy and get ready for this season."

Toon, the Saints' fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin in 2012, certainly seems to have taken advantage of his time away. Not only has he come back completely healthy but he has returned stronger and wiser and that has been obvious during the first three days of preseason camp.

Much like last year, the 6-foot-4 receiver and the son of former New Jets receiver Al Toon has shown flashes of being a big-play receiving threat in the Saints' offense. His size and speed have thrust him in the mix for one of the third or fourth receiver spots.

Toon stood out during Sunday's practice, the first session in pads, making several impressive catches from Drew Brees and other quarterbacks. But the key will be consistency.

He has appeared to make the right impression on the coaches.

"I think he has done a good job of taking what he did in the offseason and carrying it into these first couple of practices," said Saints receivers coach Henry Ellard. "The details and stuff we will clean up, of course, but he hasn't lost a lot since that point and time and that's what it's all about."

So far in camp Toon has seemed to benefit most from the increased reps due to the injury absence of top receiver Marques Colston. The irony is that Toon credits Colston as much as anyone for taking him under his wing this offseason and working out with him and giving him pointers on how to improve his game.

New Orleans Saints' Nick Toon trying to forge way in logjam at receiver | NOLA.com


He's kind of the forgotten man at WR.

rezburna

I believe in Toon and Morgan. The new Henderson and Meachem.

TheOak

Camp should be only non seasonal numbers, no names... Best 53.

thebdj

If Toon, Stills and Morgan play like they have on tape (Morgan obviously has the season in the NFL) then having these guys duking it out to be further down the WR roster is superb!

I know it helps when you have Drew Brees throwing the football but I love the group we have at WR all the way from Colston downwards. No nonsense. No drama. Good players. End of.

Seer1

Okay, so Drew would be wearing #1. I'd see Evans, de la Puente and Grubb wearing 2, 3 and 4. Then???