Fitz in the Big 33 Game

Submitted by k bizzle on
With it sounding like Fitz is going to qualify and his showing in tonight's game I still think he will need to be on the field this year if it comes down to him or V. Smith. He is such a talent and seems like he can do it all, the announcer was comparing him to Brian Westbrook. He has that extra gear and can dance in the phone both with the best and knock you down. I really hope he is able to show that he is one of the best RBs in his class. I think he will be the best player in this class, yes better than Big Will and even Tate. He may not be that important at the time with the depth we have and need of a QB to run the spread, but I know he will make his mark at the Big House and move on to the NFL. In the game, that he barely played, he had two TD's and gave a nice call out to RR and Barwis. V. Smith looks amazing as well, but Fitz is at another level. Before the game you could see the intensity he has yelling at the players and getting hyped up like Ray Lewis. BUT would a coach, at a position of depth, decide to red shirt a guy that he thought was more talented and play another he didn't?

Comments

Michman21

June 21st, 2009 at 12:59 AM ^

Hopefully they both redshirt. That would mean that Minor, Brown, Shaw, and Grady stayed healthy and had productive years in 09. Fitz and V. Smith will both be more productive in the future if they get a chance to put on 15 lbs and are allowed to get acclimated to division I football.

Michman21

June 21st, 2009 at 11:39 AM ^

Minor and C. Brown will get most of the carries and don't forget, V. Smith was 3rd on the depth chart in the spring only because Shaw was hurt and wasn't playing. Not to mention, we have Grady and Cox as big backs. RB is the one position that we don't have depth issues. If we have a couple of injuries (which is possible with Minor and Brown's history) then obviously one or both of Fitz and V. Smith will have to play.

Maize and Blue…

June 21st, 2009 at 7:17 AM ^

where depth isn't an issue it is at RB. When you consider that either will be at best 4th string barring any injuries and that's assuming Grady is a fullback and Cox is out of the picture there isn't a depth issue.

jg2112

June 21st, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^

What depth issues are you talking about with the running backs? Brandon Minor Carlos Brown Kevin Grady (yes, he'll be on the team) Mike Cox (yes, Mike Cox will be on the team) Vincent Smith If EITHER Minor or Brown were here, I'd say Fitz should redshirt. With both of them there, there is no question he should redshirt. Why waste a year as the 6th string running back? How much depth do you need?

marco dane

June 21st, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^

What is the sense of not putting a redshirt on either VS or Fitz if your not going to give them meaningful minutes during the season? Garbage time minutes could be shared btw KG & Mike Cox...not VS or Fitz. Imo,that would be a waste of talent and depth going forward.

jg2112

June 21st, 2009 at 12:36 PM ^

Minor handles the load this year, with Grady, Smith, Cox and Shaw backing him up. Fitz and Brown redshirt. Then next year, Brown, Shaw, Smith, Fitz and Cox, with the 2010 kids redshirting. That would be great.

Todd Plate's n…

June 21st, 2009 at 12:43 PM ^

I can infer the answer to this based on the discussion, players who participate in spring ball are eligible for a redshirt? While Fitz could likely come in and play...as a borderline academic qualifier, it may be incredibly beneficial for him to spend the year adjusting to college life/classes while only practicing. 2010: Fitz, Smith, Cox, Shaw...not a bad stable after graduating 2 senior contributors/hopeful studs next year. As a newbie, I cannot currently create content on the mogoboard...I would love to read a thread on people's predictions on big 2009 games we have nothing to do with, i.e. osu/usc.

Double Nickel BG

June 21st, 2009 at 5:03 PM ^

that spending a year without games is much different than with them. Throwing aside all the redshirt and qualifying stuff, going through practices and then not getting to play is pretty rough. You go through the week and then get to let out all the aggression on a opponent. Very few like to practice and going into the game makes up for it.

UNCWolverine

June 21st, 2009 at 1:04 PM ^

"but I know he will make his mark at the Big House and move on to the NFL." That's just ridiculous. Can we let the kid qualify and enroll into college first before talking NFL?

UNCWolverine

June 21st, 2009 at 3:03 PM ^

yep, I remember how enthusiastic I used to get when I was 14 as well. Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh on the kid, but sometimes I cannont help but speak up when these types of posts are written. I hope he does have a big career at Michigan. I hope he does make the NFL. But just like you said, he'll have to compete with 3-4-5 formidable running backs just to get a sniff of the field. At this point I think it's a crap shoot trying to figure out which of these kids will be a featured back and have a successful career in Ann Arbor. Go Blue.

k bizzle

June 21st, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^

Been on here awhile it is always funny when you just put something out there for fun so people can kick it around and discuss. People on boards sometimes get so serious and caught up in what they read on the internet, it is funny. I think Fitz will leave his mark on UM and believe he will go on to the NFL. They are Michigan last time I checked and put good players in the NFL. Not like I'm saying a two star guy with a horrible film is going to Grand Valley and on to the NFL. Just looking at his video and the tons of others every day, he stood out more to me than any other guy, IMO. Sure you can have a different opinion, say it. I'm making a guess cause I like him. Guess we should all fall in line and never try and spot the guys who you think could be amazing. Sure he hasn't played yet, I know that. On a $ board though it did say he was telling others he qualified, fyi.

turbo cool

June 21st, 2009 at 4:54 PM ^

I agree that fitz has the potential to be one of our best players in this class. Hopefully he qualifies, does well academically here, and then excels on the field.

The Barking Sp…

June 21st, 2009 at 9:11 PM ^

I've loved The Fitz from Day One. I would love to see him redshirt, though--making running back less of a priority in 2011 recruiting. UM might still land Clements and/or another back this year as well. I think that Fitz will be the best back of all that are currently on the roster by far.

ddbbhh11

June 22nd, 2009 at 3:49 AM ^

omg, grady and cox? seriously. have any of you watched the team in recent years? fitz and smith can do things that even minor and brown can't do with the ball in their hands. neither will redshirt and they'll both see the field quite a bit. lol, i love how minor has like 2 decent games and everyone thinks he's the best in um history. give me a break. the freshman are faster and quicker, he should watch out, his starting spot might get taken away

k bizzle

June 22nd, 2009 at 11:49 AM ^

a mod did confirm with UM that Fitz has indeed qualified as he has been saying. JT is right there with his Ohio test and Gallon is the biggest concern right now, but only needs 1 point on his ACT and he is in, FYI.