July 15, 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.

Adam Stiles, P/K, 6-5, 236, Sr-1L, Wichita, Kans. -- Baylor's do-it-all kicker, Stiles can handle all the Bears' kicking chores, but it is on punts that he shines. Last year he ranked fourth in the Big 12 with a 40.1 yards per kick average on 81 punts. He nailed 12 of his kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line and sent 12 of his 34 kickoffs deep enough into the endzone to result in touchbacks.

1. Will the team be better or significantly better next year and why?

"We will be significantly better. We had a lot of adversity with injuries last year. This year we have a lot of good players healthy and we will be a lot better because of that."

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?

"In the Big 12 South, Texas is one of the biggest teams year-in and year-out. They're always tough. And I think Baylor should be near the top of the Big 12 South this year."

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?

"I think this spring we developed a lot of team unity. We're much closer as a team. We have a core of people who are closer and working better together. We're more of a team. The biggest concern is keeping everybody healthy. If we can keep healthy, we can win. There's no problem with our work ethic or attitude or will to win. If we can stay healthy, we'll be fine."

4. What player or players at Baylor will be the most pleasant surprises next year?

"(Greg) Cicero is one of the top players. We only saw a little of what he's capable of doing last year before he was injured. We didn't see everything he can do. He'll be a big surprise. He has tremendous knowledge and composure."

5. What Baylor players are on the verge of becoming Big 12 standouts?

"Oh, I think we have a lot of them. Every position has outstanding players. A lot of younger players, when they get a feel for the Big 12, should stand out and surprise a lot of people."

6. What will you do this summer?

"I'll be here in school, working out to get ready for the season."

7. What are your goals for next season?

"I want to improve on what I did last year. I'm working hard on my technique and improving."

8. Which early-season game do you view as a key next year?

"The first couple of games are big. We need to get on a roll. But looking at it, you'd have to say the Iowa State game is the one. It's the first game in the Big 12. The others are important to build up momentum, but if we can beat Iowa State, we can make a point."