Baylor Football 2001 Q&A: Samir Al-Amin
6/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 27, 2001
With a successful spring training in the books and the spring semester now history, the Baylor football team is turning its focus to the off-season program leading up to the 2001 season.
Before they head into a long, hot summer of preparations for the Sept. 8 season-opener against Arkansas State, Baylor Bear Insider contributor Maxey Parrish sat down with several key Bears to ask them a set of questions and garner their thoughts about the 2001 campaign.
Watch for interviews with various Bears all summer leading up to the 2001 football season. For an archive of other interviews, click here.
SAMIR AL-AMIN, S, 6-1, 219, Sr-3L, Garland -- Samir Al-Amin has been a solid starter the past two seasons in the Baylor secondary. Playing in 34 career games and starting 17, Al-Amin has recorded 195 total tackles, 119 of them unassisted. He has three career interceptions, including a team-high of two last year.
1. Will the team be better or significantly better next year and why?
"We'll be significantly better. Mainly because we didn't lose many players, we have good chemistry, we've got more experience and we're working so hard. The offense will be more productive. Overall, we'll be much better."
2. Who will be the team to beat in the Big 12 South this year and where do you see Baylor fitting into the conference race?
"I would have to say Texas. They're our big rival. They've had good recruiting classes and we've recruited well. Overall, I think they're the team to beat. I'm hoping we can come out in the top half of the Big 12. I have high expectations. We're working hard to succeed. We hope to do well."
3. What do you believe will be the greatest areas of improvement in the Baylor team next year and what do you believe will be the greatest areas of concern?
"The attitude is the greatest area of improvement. We've been together longer and we've been a team a while. We have the mental attitude that we'll win. We'll do whatever it takes, whether it's putting in extra time working out, studying film, whatever. We'll get there early and stay late to make the extra push. The area of concern would be injuries. I believe we were hurt last year by injuries. If we stay healthy, we can be a lot better."
4. What player or players at Baylor will be the most pleasant surprises next year?
"Marques Roberts, the wide receiver. He's a great athlete. He did a great job this spring. The running backs, Chedrick Ricks and Jonathan Golden. They're great backs. The linebackers, John Garrett and Anthony Simmons, and Bobby Hart at cornerback has a bright future here. Reggie Newhouse is a great receiver."
5. What Baylor players are on the verge of becoming Big 12 standouts?
"Garrett, Newhouse, Aaron Lard, he's a great defensive end."
6. What will you do this summer?
"I'll be here working out every day to get bigger and faster. And I'll go to summer school."
7. What are your goals for next season?
"For the team, my goal is to win the Big 12, go to a bowl and come out knowing after every game we gave it our all and we won. Individually, I want to be the best safety in the Big 12 and do whatever it takes to help the team win. If that means playing or watching, I want to do whatever it takes to help the team win."
8. Which early-season game do you view as a key next year?
"The first game of the season, Arkansas State. We need to come out early and produce momentum for conference. We need to come out and establish something we can build off of."
