Fred Jackson: Toussaint is "Michael Hart with speed."
In an otherwise uneventful article in the Freep, not linked here, Fred Jackson goes all Fred Jackson on Fitz Toussaint:
How talented is Toussaint?
"Michael Hart ability with speed," Jackson said, comparing Toussaint to U-M's all-time leading rusher. "The kind of guy that can do Michael's cuts, he can sit down, sink his hips and explode by making steps. He's faster than Mike and a very, very tough guy, like Mike was. He's very similar to Mike. He's not the type of inside runner Mike was -- but he's going to get there."
While Fred is known for a slight tendency toward hyperbole, this is good to hear and consistent with Former Wolv's statement that Fitz was a clear #1 before his latest injury
August 29th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^
Thats scary for the rest of the big 10....I loved Mike Hart as a back but i cant remember how many times i thought to myself that if he had even 4.5 speed how much more of a game changer he would have been
August 29th, 2010 at 2:52 PM ^
HE would be starting...he isn't I believe, or at least not distancing himself from the pack...so I suspect it is simply an excitable guy talking about one of his own
August 29th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^
He's injured. If it weren't for the injury he'd be starting (according to FormerWolv).
August 29th, 2010 at 12:04 PM ^
Dude is so overly postive about everything. I'd love to hear him describe Denard. He'd probably describe him as a cobra with a jet engine for a body.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^
has impresses in fall practices but he just can't stay healthy.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^
So, in other words, he's just like Mike Hart.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:20 PM ^
Hart had some injury issues, but I fail to see how you can make that comparison with the Michigan leader in career carries.
August 29th, 2010 at 2:53 PM ^
What exactly is Fitz's injury? How long is it supposed to keep him out?
August 29th, 2010 at 3:30 PM ^
The last answer in this Q&A strongly suggests it's neck trouble (nothing more specific than that): http://michigan.scout.com/2/996373.html
In that Q&A he also addresses Jackson comparing him to Hart with speed. Says: “I’ll say, I ain’t ready for that statement (laughter). Mike Hart is something else. I’m just not ready for that. I’ve still got a ways too go."
August 30th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^
Thanks. Neck injury huh? That doesn't sound too good.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
it's just a stinger. Nasty, but one morning he'll wake up, and it'll be gone.
I'm hoping it's this morning.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
I've heard this comparison a lot actually. As long as Fitz works hard and stays healthy and humble then I believe he has the capability to be a game changer. Watching his high school film, alongside Mike's high school film, it's easy to see why coach Jackson made this comparison. 6 days baby! GO BLUE
August 29th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^
For a guy that hasn't played a real down yet? That's a little over the top, even for Fred Jackson. Am I really going to have to remember how to spell "Toussaint?"
August 29th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
GIve Fred a break - he is not saying Fitz will have the career Hart had, he is saying that, from practice, it seems like he has the potential to. Thus, Jackson is saying that if he had to compare Fitz to a former Michigan rb, Fitz plays, in practice, most like Hart, instead of like Brown, Minor, etc.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
But in a few years, it could be spelled H-E-I-S-M-A-N.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^
and fitz isn't even the starter. I can only imagine how amazing the others will do this year. Oh Fred Jackson
August 29th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
I just hope he's not the next Carlos Brown - often injured.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
This seems like the Fred Jackson equivalent of saying, "This guy sucks at football."
I was hoping for something about our running backs having the legs of a cheetah combined with the teeth of a great white shark and the body of an abrams tank (but maybe needing to work a little more on pass blocking, just to keep the guy motivated).
August 29th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^
I think all that was implied by "Mike Hart" with speed.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
My biggest regret of college is not getting Fred Jackson to write me a law school recommendation.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
Man, I want Fred Jackson to describe everything in my life.
"1. His ability to cook Hamburger Helper reminds me of a young Wolfgang Puck, with the flair of Bobby Flay and the focus of Gordon Ramsey!"
"2. His ability to program is like Linux Torvald, but with speed!"
"3. His juking ability playing flag football on Sunday is like Barry Sanders, but if Barry Sanders was built like Calvin Johnson and had the looks of a young Denzel!"
"4. His ability to make love is like me, Fred Jackson, but with real hip wiggle!"
August 29th, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
Ha ha ha, Linux Torvald! And now you can't edit it!
August 29th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^
Devin Gardner would be Tom Brady, but with talent...
August 29th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
...and hotter girlfriends...
August 29th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Nobody has better hair
August 29th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
Ummm...*cough cough*
August 29th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
Gerg does.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:24 PM ^
Fred Jackson, his word is Gold.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:35 PM ^
Coach Jackson's remarks are poetic and pleasant to the ear. His words are like the soothing, melodic tones of James Earl Jones, only more captivating.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
Have you heard the audiobook of James Earl Jones reading the Bible? Probably converted more people than any Christian missionary.
August 29th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
What does it mean if Fred says something bad about you?
August 29th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^
Fred Jackson would describe this man's mullet as "four times as majestic as that of Billy Ray Cyrus circa 1990 or so."
August 29th, 2010 at 12:49 PM ^
on the field.
But gad, I hope he's right.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:01 PM ^
if I ever need a confidence booster, I'm just gonna ask Fred Jackson to look at my game tape & tell me what he thinks
August 29th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^
... jackson quote, "Taylor Lewan doesn’t just pave roads, he drafts them and negotiates the city contract, then hires the day laborers and manages the site."
August 29th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
Latest injury? Did I miss something?
August 29th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
Nevermind, I did not realize the injuries he sustained in practices the last couple of weeks were as severe as they apparently are:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/nice-articles-fitz-toussaint-jibreel-black
August 29th, 2010 at 3:05 PM ^
Fred Jackson is a young Lou Holtz. Except honest., insightful and speaks without a lisp.
August 29th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
Fred, you're a great coach but please shut up. Your hype probably means he'll never see the field.
August 29th, 2010 at 4:14 PM ^
"You're like Debbie Downer, but with lots of negativity."
August 29th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^
Did you just now start paying attention to what Jackson says?
August 29th, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
The MGoStore should sell a Fred Jackson shirt. ("Fred Jackson is like (Jim Brown's position coach), but better.")
August 29th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^
If anybody would be the expert to make such a statement, it would be Fred Jackson.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:57 AM ^
...but to use the ol' cliche, "what have you done for me lately?" Until he sees the field and makes defenders eat rubber crumb from the field turf, then all the comparisons mean squat. Sorry, but I am putting on my game face because I really don't have time for hype about what these kids do on the practice field. I want to see the hype turn into reality on Saturday when Michigan shocks the college football world in 2010 by going undefeated and ripping the guts out of each and every team they play.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
it's really not necessary to "put on your game face" and focus on the upcoming game.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^
"...he can sit down, sink his hips and explode by making steps."
That's what she said.