Chengelis Article on Fitz's Injury

Good to hear from him that he is doing well and still has his hunger to return and play after what was a really gruesome injury. Nice read, thanks for posting.

Good article. Fitz has had to deal with a lot of injury during his career. Two seasons ago he proved how good he can be at his best. I'm hoping he can get back on the field running well again

I couldn't ever read the description of Fitz's injury and I cringed . If he comes back this year and plays he would be one Bad Ace.

It's amazing what a 5 star RB recruit will do to speed up your recovery time.  I'm sure Fitz was hungry before, but now with Green coming to Ann Arbor, Fitz has a real sense of urgency to not only recover, but to compete to be the starter.

Thanks for posting that.  It sucks that some people have to deal with so much adversity to find clarity sometimes, but when you're young you find yourself invinceable.  I'm so happy that Fitz has this focus towards returning at 100%.  Seeing him working out for Spring practice I think will be good not only for himself, but also the team.  The hard work he put in to get ahead of his recovery schedule will rub off on everyone.

He also is aware of the growing hype surrounding top-ranked incoming freshman tailback Derrick Green. Asked if Green's impending arrival motivates him, Toussaint made clear his purpose and focus.

"I've got a 12:30 workout tomorrow," he said. "That's the next thing I'm looking forward to. I'll let that (the fall competition) come. I'm turned up to the max, and I'm going to stay that way."

I like this. I think our running back situation will be vastly improved (presuming Toussaint comes back healthy.) Whoever wins the battle will have earned it- although I think both will see significant snaps.

"That's not just what I'm saying — it's what I'm doing. … I'm used to this. I've played the game before. I'm hungrier than I've ever been, not just about football but about life."

I really like the competitiveness he is showing and the drive to recover fully from his injury, and I like how he puts it here - that he's "doing" it. It was also good to hear that he has not ruled out a little participation in spring practice, for if he could even be out there on a limited basis, that means great things for the fall, I would think.

Good read, and thanks for sharing this!

I'm thinking, 'We go back to the 'Shoe (Ohio Stadium a week later), and I can't play."
 

I think that his recovery and building that competition could be a real key to the running game.  I think Fitz came in a bit overconfident based on the year before, and at the same time, did not get the blocking support necessary.  Great to see him fired up to get back in the mix, and after that  injury simply great to see him already ahead of schedule.

I am hoping my belief that the oline is going to get much, much better with the return of Lewan pans out.  I think that Kalis, Magnuson, Braden, Bryant and most likely Bosch with his head start will help with that growth.  Kalis should be even further ahead of where Lewan was coming into his 2nd year as he was already physically larger.  If the center position shows the necessary improvement, they could actually develop into a very good line by the Big Ten games.  Getting past ND is going to be the challenge.  I wish it was the 3rd of 4th game, but it is what it is.

I'm as excited about D Green as anyway, but don't overlook Smith.  My hope is that one of those two contribute as a change up to Fitz in 2013 and the other redshirts. 

I just see things falling into place. IMO, this is Fitz's year. Even if Green may be the flashier freshman. Fitz to me is the bell cow.

Last year you had Lacy/Yeldon. In '97, Chris Howard was effective and carried the load for us even with highly-touted freshman Anthony Thomas on the team. Thomas also had some big runs and as solid year for a freshman. I see a similar situation. Hopefully, the season has a similar ending.

I hadn't heard about his mother's accident. Any word on how she's doing? I seem to remember a poster around here had some story a couple of seasons ago about driving through Ohio and being waited on by his mother after a game.

Good luck to him! 

[Insert the "I want to believe" Toussaint image I failed to find about here.]

Angelique adds just enough about his range of activity to give us hope.

Having Fitz in a helmet during spring ball also puts the other guys on notice that we're building depth & playing time is guaranteed to no one.

he was injured early in his career

had a very good season followed by a disaster year which ended with a broken leg.

now he has to rehab and perhaps competition for playing time by a player not immortalized on a clowney highlight reel.

if he contributes in 2013, it will be a great accomplishment for him and great for michigan!

Does he get that rod taken out, is it out already or does it remain in place forever?

Inquiring minds.

I had a similar injury to Fitz's back in high school as I broke my tib/fib and had a metal plate and some screws put in as well.  I also lost a ton of weight.  I can vivedly remember the same sort of feelings about something being "off" the day of the injury.  It was akin to knowing something bad was going to happen, you just didn't know what or how to stop it.  I'm guessing this is some sort of phenonmena for traumatic events.  I wonder if Fitz has to get that hardware taken out at some point later?  I know I had to get my hardware taken out a year after the injury.  

It's great to hear Fitz is ahead of schedule, but if his recovery is anything like mine I don't see any way he is 100% to start the season.  He may play, and he may play more and gain strength and confidence as the season progresses.  But, I have a hard time seeing him be in his old form to start the season.  It was more like 1.5 years before I felt like I was pre-injury.  I hope he proves me wrong, but getting over severe injuries like that are very difficult due to the physical and mental trauma.  I wish him luck.

I think that Fitz will be back and he will eventually regain his prowess of 2011. However, I actually think and have thought for some time now that DeVeon Smith is going to be the best RB on our roster for the next four years. Most kids of his caliber would have been a little taken back by Michigan taking 3 running backs in the class. Instead of him saying anything or looking for an opportunity to start elsewhere he stated that he loves competition and can't wait to showcase his abilities. I think Smith played slightly better competition, and had the much better highlight tape. I think Green is a straight beast and is every bit what people say he is, I just find smith to be a little better in my opinion.

I thought he was coming back from Ikea...?  Seems like he has been Hardened by his adversity.