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It felt like a tease.

For years, fans of the New Orleans Saints heard stories and whispers about the feats and attributes of little-seen and little-heard-from wide receiver Nick Toon. Every year, he somehow figured into the mix at receiver, and every year ended the way it started: with Toon mostly behind the scenes.

To outside observers, at least, Toon was more of an idea than a tangible asset that was visibly helping the team. The 2014 season started the same way, and it appeared he was destined to end another season in the shadows.

After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, Toon caught four passes for 68 yards in 2013 as a second-year pro, then spent eight for the first 10 games of the 2014 season on injured reserve. It wasn’t until injuries robbed the Saints of depth at wide receiver that he was finally given a chance to play.

He broke out — or at least showed glimmers of his potential — by catching 17 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown.

Getting the opportunity to be on the field and serve as a regular member of the wide receiver rotation were all Toon needed to start cashing in on his potential. His confidence grew each week he was given the opportunity to play and, throughout the rest of the week, he felt he made great growth in practice.

“I feel like I’ve grown both mentally and physically and continue to make great strides in becoming a better player and better receiver,” he said. “I learned a lot this season. Got the opportunity to go out there and contribute a little bit and definitely grew as a player. That’s what it’s all about.”


Read more: Saints are excited about their young receivers’ futures | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

saintsfan1976

Prove me wrong Nick. The typical "3 years to acclimate in NFL" is up.

Danno

Say what?

hagan714

sorry i did not see it. then again i never drank from this kool aid bowl for years now. the WR corp is vastly over rated and has been for years.

jnormand

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Toon was there in a pinch, but its not like he lit up the score board. He did get more confident, but right now he's a average #3 at best. Not saying he doesn't have the ability to be a starter, but I haven't seen any big play ability yet. Just my opinion.

ScottF

and the article title has the word "young"
26.5 is young?

halloween 65

So far I've give Brees the benifit of doubt, but when the O-line gets fixed and the throwing behind recievers, missing intermiate routes, bad reads' deep ball not there, ducks thrown then there will be no more doubt in my mind. It will be on him and him alone. Throwing into double and triple coverage is bad enough but throwing into it with no zip on the ball, thats almost always going to be an int.

SaintsBro

Toon, I'm still in wait and see mode. Really Cooks is the only one on the whole team right now who looks legitimately FAST out there.

Saint in Aus

Toon is a good size and shouldn't really need to rely on pure separation to execute receptions.

Mr.Riaton

What about Stills? I remember him burning safeties and catching the deep ball more than anybody else on our team.