Michigan State University Athletics
Sideline Sketch: Wide Receiver Agim Shabaj
8/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2004
Last season, you led the team in receptions (57 for 692 yards) and played a large role in the offense. What are your personal expectations for the upcoming season?
"Hopefully, I can carry on the same role and have success like I did last year. I want to help the team out any way I can on offense or special teams."
With the loss of starters like quarterback Jeff Smoker, the offense is pretty young and inexperienced except for the receivers. With so many receivers having game experience, how do you feel about your ability as a group to make plays this season?
"I feel a lot more comfortable than I did last year. I think we all know each other a lot better and understand the offensive package better. We're going to be the vets out there. We're going to be telling everybody what to do and trying to get the quarterbacks comfortable in the offense, so we can go out there and win games."
Despite the vast experience of the receivers, you will be working with a new quarterback this season. Do you feel the receivers can help with the transition?
"I think we can. We've got a lot of playmakers out there. We're out there working hard every day and trying to help the quarterbacks or whoever needs help on the offensive side of the ball. All the veterans at the receiver position know what they're doing and they're able to help everybody, so we're all trying to assume leadership roles."
Last season, you started 12 of the 13 games at the SLOT receiver position but entering preseason camp, you were listed No. 2 for that spot.
"I wasn't as mature as I needed to be. The coaches were just trying to show me that I needed to be good in football and in life. I need to be here for my teammates and I understand that I need to do everything right instead of a couple things. I'm trying to do that now and they see that and have given me my spot back. I'm working hard for it and I'm going to keep it. I'm going to try to be good here - both on and off the field - and do what's right."
Being out of the starting role, did that motivate you to work harder on the field?
"Oh yeah, it sure did. I can't wait for the season to start, so I can get out on the field and prove what I can do."
During your high school career at Farmington Hills Harrison, you and quarterback Drew Stanton together helped lead the Hawks to two state titles. With the possibility of Stanton as the starter now at MSU are you looking forward to duplicating that success here?
"That would be cool. I'm excited for him. It feels a little weird to me to be hooking up with him again on the field. He's one of my really good friends. If Drew earns the job, I'd be really happy for him."
Along with Stanton, you knew some of your current teammates pretty well before you came to MSU. How is it to have some of your best friends as teammates and how has it helped the team chemistry?
"It's neat. It's really weird sometimes at practice to play alongside Drew and Gordy (Gordon Niebylski) - guys that I've been good friends with for a long time. It's a lot more comfortable to have those guys around. We can kid around even though we keep it quiet with the jokes during practice. I think it helps us get motivated to have each other around.
"The team has the same kind of closeness. Knowing each other so well makes us more comfortable which makes it easier to pick each other up when people aren't doing so well. We communicate well and we all understand each other well enough to focus on what we have to do individually and know the other guy will pull through on his part."
With so many tall receivers on the team, like Matt Trannon (6-foot-6) and Aaron Alexander (6-5), your coaches and teammates often joke about your size. Exactly how tall are you and how do you feel about the ribbing?
"I'm 5-10, okay 5-9 and three-quarters but it rounds up to 5-10. But really size isn't a big deal. It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog (laughs).
"I don't care what they say. I come out here and prove myself on the field. I'm just going to keep doing that every day."
Besides your height, another thing that makes you stand out from the other receivers is that you are bowlegged and pigeon-toed. Do you think these characteristics have been an advantage for you?
"I don't know if it's an advantage, but I definitely get made fun of everyday for it. Everyone has to make fun of how I walk and how I'm so bowlegged. But I'm okay with it, it's my body."
With all the teasing you've taken, you have more than enough reason to prove yourself on the field. But really what is it that motivates you to go out and play every day?
"I hate when someone is better than me. I love this game so much that it bothers me if I know someone is ahead of me. There are a whole bunch of great people across the country that play this game and I hate to see someone who is better at my position. I'll come out here and practice knowing that I have to work harder to make myself better. I just try to push myself even more because I hate being second."
Assistant head coach and receivers coach Jim McElwain comments on Agim Shabaj:
"We're really happy with what Agim has done over the summer and the way he's approached practice this fall. He's really been working hard and not taking any routes or any periods off. It's something we talked about in the off-season to make sure he finishes everything he does."
What are your expectations for Agim in 2004?
"A lot of people now may start looking at him defensively a little bit, so that may open things up for some of the other guys. The big thing we need to work on with Agim is making sure he's getting a lot of yards after catch. He's got a chance once he catches the ball to make a lot of things happen and that's something we need to focus on."
Q&A conducted by Kelly Thesier, MSU Sports Information student assistant.
