Fitz Toussaint Appreciation Thread
Kid has worked his tail off, but hasn't been able to succeed on the field, and now he's out for an ambiguous (possibly just Hoke saving face) injury. Thanks for your hard work on and off the field. I'm sorry to say that I do not think you were ever destined to succeed in this offensive scheme.
Go ahead and criticize his work on the field as much as you want, but he has worked his butt off for Michigan and done incredibly things here in the past. He takes care of his daughter and gives a shit ton to and for Michigan. He's got real character, passion, and dedication. Glad he's here at Michigan. Three games left!
So here's to Fitz. Thanks.
November 17th, 2013 at 7:37 AM ^
with Smith & Green, we racked up a massive 9 pts in regulation. It's not like a rushing problems are fixed.
I agree Fitz should get some carries. But, the quoted above makes no sense. I haven't seen anyone argue that the running game is "fixed." I think folks, myself included, we're generally pleased with how Smith and Green hit holes and finished runs. Also, Smith and Green seem to better fit our offense and need experience.
November 17th, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^
Are you Fitz's mother? Why would you defend him by pointing out his stats against Uconn, IU, Minnesota, or NW? Those teams are not good. His average in that Notre Dame game is about 3.2 ypc, that's pathetic considering ND's defense isn't as good as last year's. Face Facts, Fitz is horrible and he most likely has lost his starting job to a freshman. He's gotten enough chances, time to move on.
November 17th, 2013 at 9:37 AM ^
Is Northwestern good? You know, 0-6 in the B1G?
And people ARE acting like the running game is fixed by saying, "Well, time to move on. See ya Fitz." Three games ago FItz ran for 150 yards and 4 TDs! Suddently, it's impossible he'll have another good game again? Plus, just b/c Green and Smith had one nice game doesn't mean they'll do the same against Iowa or OSU.
Our offense is not good, with or without Fitz. We need all the options we can in hopes that will possible fixed. And as I showed, in multiple games over multiple seasons, our mediocre W/L record would have been even worse without his contributions.
November 17th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
You're assuming that someone wouldn't have made similar contributions in those games we won. All last year he was horrible and he's been largely horrible this year too. He's a senior, he's playing max 3 more games for us. It's time to let the bigger talents that are underclassmen see the field to see what we have. Guarantee he doesn't get those same yards that Smith and Green got yesterday. He can't pick up a blitz, he can't find holes consistently unless they're obvious, he's just not that good and it's got nothing to do with his injury from last year. As a feature back as the primary running threat, he just doesn't cut it. It's time to look to the future.
November 17th, 2013 at 12:11 AM ^
I like Fitz and really enjoyed watching him play. As others have said he's really struggled picking up the blitz at times probably due to his size. I think he tries to stand up defenders too much and he may have better success taking the Vincent Smith approach and just chopping them at the waist.
November 17th, 2013 at 7:40 AM ^
Interesting, you postulate the Fitz probably struggles because of size, but go on to reference the technique of another player who was actually smaller and proficient. So, isn't it really technique?
November 17th, 2013 at 12:13 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 12:23 AM ^
agree.
He's just not very good. I am sure he works hard like everyone.
November 17th, 2013 at 12:19 AM ^
next week the dude had a pretty horrific leg injury. How many of you would be out playing football so soon?
Hard work and perserverance.
November 17th, 2013 at 12:32 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 4:21 AM ^
He'll still manage some kind of look in the NFL. Maybe he'll start next to Cox.
November 17th, 2013 at 12:54 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 12:57 AM ^
Yeah, Fitz had a serviceable career, and it's been appreciated...but it should be over.
November 17th, 2013 at 1:02 AM ^
Denard had issues with turnovers and consistency. He went down in the midst of a Multi-game TD drought. Devin stepped in and put up decent numbers, and everyone was on the Devin hype train.
A year later the issues had gotten worse. We still have a Multi- game (regulation) TD drought, Devin has had the same, if not worse, turnover issues that Denard had last year. He is nowhere near the home run threat that shoelace was.
So the offense stalls out. The run game is atrocious. For whatever reason, Fitz doesn't see the field. Fresh legs provide a sub par 3 ypc and were ready to throw Fitz under the bus.
Maybe down the line green and smith will become what we think they should be. They are not there yet. Fitz is still the best back on our roster. He hasn't had many lanes to run through so far.
Can someone help me understand how Gardner gets a pass for his qb illiteracy and turnovers, but Fitz gets railroaded for his poor pass protection?
Oh yeah, Borges still blows.
November 17th, 2013 at 1:12 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 7:45 AM ^
He is the best if the OL could open up good holes and he didn't have to pick up blitzes. But our OL can't and our scheme requires he does.
November 17th, 2013 at 8:02 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 8:32 AM ^
Your argument is invalid considering Green and Smith ran for a ypc of 4.2 and 5.1, respectively. You're a Fitz fan obv, most likely because of 2011, but it's not 2011 anymore. He's not that good, he doesn't recognize holes, he can't pass block. I suggest you move on.
November 17th, 2013 at 1:21 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 1:52 AM ^
running without hesitation was notieceable on tv.
November 17th, 2013 at 2:01 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 1:44 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 2:31 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 3:29 AM ^
in getting back on the football field. I appreciate all the blood, sweat, and tears that he's given, but I honestly would prefer to see Green and Smith on the field the rest of the season. I know this isn't the intended theme of this thread, but it's true. That's how I feel.
I like the power that the other 2 backs run with, and they always seem to fall forward a couple yards. They don't get taken down easily by arm tackles. They don't dance around as much in the hole. If Fitz could block better in pass protection I could understand playing him, but considering he's a liability in pass pro, you're better off playing the better and younger running backs. They can gain some valuable experience the rest of this year.
November 17th, 2013 at 7:09 AM ^
Even if Fitz does not see much playing time again, I will always appreciate the tenacity which he displayed in trying to not only get back to the team but win the starting spot at RB this year after suffering a terrible injury in last year's Iowa game. There are a lot of teams that would love to have a whole roster of people that competitive and goal-oriented.
Beyond that, however, he's displayed that same spirit even on the field, and even if the scheme change has curtailed his productivity, he has kept going out there and giving it everything he has to put this team in a position to succeed. Like some of the people still around, he weathered a staff change and a radical shift in philosophy and stayed loyal to Michigan. I think we can definitely appreciate that as well.
November 17th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
I think you're right. He has always worked to help the team, but I think Fitz won't ever be productive in a scheme like ours. Derrick Green had success yesterday for much different reasons.
November 17th, 2013 at 7:13 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 8:48 AM ^
I like Fitz and his comeback, but I'm ready for Fitz to start then Green come in and take most of the carries. Big backs are what you need in the B10 for the most part. Hyde with the suckeyes goes about 240 - 245 pounds. Unless its a 3rd down back we won't see another M back under 210 again
November 17th, 2013 at 9:05 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 1:44 PM ^
Feel free to make it!
November 17th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^
Or was it coach Hoke taking the high road and not throwing Fitz under the bus. Either way, they played the players they should have. Fitz has had it very tough the past few years, but when given his chance, he hasn't performed.
November 17th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^
Sounds to me like he was injured, missed some reps, but was healthy enough to play. Hoke had decided to go with the younger backs for preformance reasons and used the injury/lack of parctice to gloss it over.
November 17th, 2013 at 9:23 AM ^
Sunday morning double post.
November 17th, 2013 at 9:34 AM ^
November 17th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
Fitz is a Michigan Man, and we appreciate you.
I wouldn't be surprised if he starts all the remaining games this season, but I would be surprised if he gets more carries than the freshmen.
November 17th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^
if nothing else, fitz has carved out his own small legacy at michigan. now to further solidify that, it seems he can still have an enormous impact as a senior leader to the young rb's. i have no doubt he will embrace that role..
November 17th, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^
Not right to be critical of players because they don't produce. Blame the coaches for playing them. They all play to the best of their ability. Some produce better than others. It's all on the coaches. Some have favorites and don't like to change. They allowed the best running back to play kick teams early in the season and he's out for the year.
November 17th, 2013 at 10:45 PM ^
Sparty benched Maxwell for performance and didn't make any bones about it, to their benefit. It sucks, but it happens. You have to go with whoever gives you the best chance to win, not seniority. There may come spots when they feel Fitz can be more effective, but he won't get in the lineup for working his way back from injury or being a great guy, which he seems to be.