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Friday, December 13, 2002
Player Q&A - Alabama safety Tony Dixon
BCSfootball.com
Alabama free safety Tony Dixon will play a key role as the Crimson Tide try to win the school's 13th national championship and first since 1992. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior has appeared in all 34 game since he came to Alabama four years ago. Last year, he finished second on the team with 65 tackles and was tied for fourth with four pass breakups. He has 162 career tackles heading into the 2000 season. The Reform, Ala. native spoke with BCSfootball.com before Saturday's game between No. 3 Alabama and UCLA (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
What it is like to be at Alabama when the school has national championship visions?
Tony Dixon: The atmosphere around here has been great. Everyone is real excited and supportive of us for the coming season.
What does the team need to do to return to Miami for this year's Orange Bowl?
|  | | Tony Dixon could have another big year for the Tide's defense. |
Tony Dixon: We have to stay focused. We have the talent to do big things this season, but we have to stay focused. That is going to be the key.
The Pac-10 has a list of seven games in the first four weeks to get it back to respectability. So far, the conference is 1-0. Does this really concern you or will Alabama just go out and play its own game?
Tony Dixon: We are aware of it. They are going to come out ready to play. But we are going to have to play our own way and be focused.
As many as 22,000 tickets have been sold to 'Bama fans for the UCLA game. How much will you feed off the crowd on Saturday?
Tony Dixon: I'm not surprised at all. The fans here are great. We have some of the best fans in the country. To be honest, it would be surprising if there weren't that many. Then, people would be thinking, they aren't expecting us to do very much.
Are there any matchups the defense is focusing on?
Tony Dixon: We are very aware of the height and speed of their receivers. We are going to have to slow them down.
How have you adjusted since shoulder surgery this spring? Are you 100 percent going into Saturday's game?
Tony Dixon: I feel great. In contact drills, I didn't have any problems. Now I am looking forward to playing.
What effect will Kindal Moorehead's injury have on the defense?
Tony Dixon: We're not going to be able to replace Kindal. But we have so much depth that we are going to be able to have players that will step in.
There is much depth at many positions on the team. Has that created any type of turmoil?
Tony Dixon: Not at all. It helps. We are always putting in fresh players that are capable of playing well.
Having grown up in Alabama, what does it mean to you to have the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa this season for the first time since 1901?
Tony Dixon: It's weird. It's going to be weird to play here. There's so many historical things that can happen this season. Here, it's my senior year and to have the chance to beat Auburn in Tuscaloosa is incredible. I'm definitely looking forward to it.
As a junior, you were one of 300 student-athletes that participated in the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. How has it helped you?
Tony Dixon: I learned a lot. It was an honor to be there and we went over ways to help student-athletes. I've come back and worked with other students. It has helped me win a number of awards since then on leadership.
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