Editor’s note: Anthony Dixon played running back at Mississippi State for four years and holds numerous MSU rushing records. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers last year. On Thursday, he watched Dan Mullen and the MSU football team practice, and Dixon spoke with reporters while he watched.
 
Question:What brings you back here?
Answer:Well, we’ve got the lockout situation, so I figured I’d come back home and bring it where it started, you know.
Q:What’s your schedule with the lockout?
A:We can’t talk to the coaches, we can practice with each other, but I’m not doing that, I’m down here. I’m just going to work out with the team. I don’t think our quarterback is having a camp.
Q:How hard is it for you with a new coach and new offense?
A:It’s pretty tough, because we are having a new offensive style. We’re going to be a little late behind everybody, but we’ll get it.
Q:Have you talked to your new coach Jim Harbaugh much?
A:Oh yeah. He told me when he first got there, it was about the weekend he got there, he told me he was looking forward to me doing big things this year, that he’s gonna count on me some. We were off to a good start.
Q:How did you feel your rookie year went?
A:It was definitely a learning experience, but it was good. From what coach Singletary told me, it was a good season. They loved my energy all year. I had some ups and downs, but they said that’s expected. I played special teams, and they said I became one of our core special teams players. I felt like I made some improvements, I ain’t ever played special teams before, you know. I got a blocked punt, and I was surprised at that. I was doing it.
Q:What was it like scoring you first-ever touchdown on your first carry on Monday Night Football?
A:You can’t draw it up no better than that. You know, I was ready, but when it happened, I really didn’t realize what was about to happen. I didn’t realize it was about to be first carry, first touchdown. But you just run in the game, do your job, and that’s what happens.
Q:You look like you got bigger.
A:Yeah, I put a little more muscle on. Right now I’m around 250. Me and coach talked about it; I’m gonna do some fullback stuff this year, too. I’m trying to bulk up a little more so I can handle both. I really wanna be versatile, you know. That’s what I’m definitely trying to do.
Q:Frank Gore is ahead of you on the depth chart, but he’s coming off of hip surgery. It looks like you’ll get more opportunities.
A:Oh yeah. That’s what Coach Harbaugh told me from day one when he came in and finally met me. He was like, he’s gonna rely on me more this year, point blank. So he was like, “Get ready. When we get back and we get together, I’m gonna need you to be more on your game because we’re going to rely on you more.” Ever since that day, I’ve been ready and waiting.
Q:How was it watching Mississippi State finally have a good season, right after you left?
A:Oh man. I was happy, man. I was talking smack all the way back in California, man. Because I was talking to a lot of these dudes during the whole process. Me, I was just telling them to fight. They knew I was reppin’. I told them I was gonna rep when I got in the end zone, I’m gonna set the tone against the Colts. I’m gonna set the tone for this year; y’all just watch the Colts, we’re fixing to do big things (Dixon did the Dawg Pound Rock in the end zone after his first touchdown). I was just happy to see them, man. They’re my brothers, I still feel like we’re brothers, and to see them brothers do great things like that, it was great to see.
Q:How different is California, and is it nice to come back here?
A: Yeah, it is. You know, both of them have their advantages. California, you know, they got great weather out there. Everybody knows that story. Great looking girls, everybody knows that story. Mississippi — Mississippi is home, and there ain’t no place like home. The food is a little bit better down here, ya know. I’m around more of my people, the country people. I go out there, and that’s in the city; everybody’s staring at me, telling me I’m country. It feels good to be home.
Q:The 49ers have the seventh pick in the draft. If you were the general manager, who would you pick?
A:If I was the GM? Oh, man. I don’t know, it depends on who was left.
Q: Derek Sherrod?
A:Yeah, Derek Sherrod. I’d take all the Bulldogs. I was telling coach, you know, we need to get some more Bulldogs up here with me. Let’s get some more Bulldogs up here.
Q: Are you worried the NFL might miss a few games next year?
A:A little bit, I guess so. But everyone is telling us that we’re gonna play. That’s all I’m looking forward to, making sure I’m ready.
Q: You said last year around draft time you thought you had what it takes to be a feature back in the NFL. Do you still feel that way?
A: Oh yeah, definitely. I can definitely lead the league in rushing and all them other categories. I’m just waiting to get my chance.
Q:What did you learn from being around verterans Gore and Brian Westbrook?
A:Frank gave me a lot of pointers. We’re just out there every day, and he’ll pull me to the side, tell me kind of what to expect. I watched the way practiced, I watched the way he read the plays. Frank’s real smart, he’s a real smart football player, so I learned a lot from him mentally. He’s physical, too, so I just tried to watch him and Westbrook as much as I can, because everybody knows what they did, and I just wanted to soak it up, because I want to do what they did and maybe beyond.
Q: Did you and 49er linebacker and Ole Miss alum Patrick Willis ever talk trash around the Egg Bowl?
A: Oh yeah. That beating, he ain’t like that at all. He had to wear a Mississippi State shirt. It was a sad moment for him. Patrick Willis, I like him too, because we definitely made each other better this year. I had to see him a lot. If you’re a rookie like I was, you play scout team and you have to see the first defense all the time. I saw him a bunch. I made him get right at times, and he made me get right at times.