The Atlanta Falcons are being forced to get creative on offense after injuries have hurt their wide receiving corps. With Julio Jones out for the season and Roddy White possibly out Week 7, several rookies are getting more experience than they were expecting at this point in the year. Tight end Levine Toilolo was expecting to spend the year learning under Tony Gonzalez, now the rookie will likely be a crucial member of the offense.
Head coach Mike Smith is considering operating under a tow-tight-end system at least for Week 7. The extra body will allow for extra protection for quarterback Matt Ryan and give the Falcons an extra body at the receiving position which they desperately need. Smith has been very impressed with Toilolo the past few weeks, enough to give him more responsibility going forward.
"I think he's coming along like we anticipated," Smith said, via ESPN.com. "I think he's going to be a very good threat especially in the red zone. But, yes, more two-tight-end sets would be an option for us as well."
Toilolo is certainly the guy to step up. At 6-foot-5, he is one of the tallest members of the team. His big body has been a nice compliment to Gonzalez and Ryan has connected with him well in the red zone like Smith said. With Gonzalez drawing plenty of attention from opposing defenses, the rookie will be expected to step up.
The two-tight-end has worked for teams in the past. The New England Patriots ran the system with Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in 2011. The two ended up accounting for 169 receptions and 2,237 yards, an NFL record. At this point in the season, Gonzalez has 33 catches for 339 yards and Toilolo has 25 yards for five catches, but the two have accounted for five touchdowns. For a team with one win, that is something.
Toilolo could be a strong fantasy sleeper in Week 7. While he is not a must-start player, he is certainly one to continue to monitor. Toilolo is proving that he is not going to be a draft bust, so it is really only a matter of time before he has that breakout game. With White possibly out, Jones done, Steven Jackson likely not playing, the clock is ticking for Toilolo to put up big numbers.
