Pac-12 Media Day: Oregon Ducks Conference…Highlights?

Outside of a few questions about De’Anthony Thomas, there wasn’t much to go off of here as Chip Kelly, Kenjon Barner, and Michael Clay were the last group to enter during the Pac-12 Media Day.

Were the reporters just tired after a long day of asking questions? Did Kelly just intimate them that much? He seemed pretty cheerful and in a good mood, I suppose they wanted him to stay that way and leave without chewing somebody out.

At the very least, we could have heard a question about the quarterback battle between Bryan Bennett and Marcus Mariota?

Interestingly, there were no Willie Lyles questions. There could have been the “Chip Kelly intimidation factor,” but overall the whole event was sort of disappointing.

Anyway, here was the best of it (and nearly all of it) –

Opening Statements:

Chip Kelly: “We are excited to be back at this again. Kind of signifies the start of college football for us.”

Kelly mentions that there are 65 freshman and sophomores on the team, showing the youth but puts into perspective how great this team is going to be if they are already this highly favored.

Kelly, alongside Barner and Clay:

“Everything I want in a player is what these two players next to me are.”

Kelly on replacing LeMichael James:

“I think De’Anthony’s role will increase, so will Kenjon’s … you sleep a little better knowing you have those guys.”

Barner on new Oregon uniforms:

“Who knows what to expect? It’s Oregon.”

Kelly on expectations for De’Anthony Thomas:

“Hopefully a lot. I think the only thing we wont let him do is throw. ”

“We didn’t want to overload him … he is a very smart kid, he understands concepts real well.”

Kelly on the announcement of Penn State sanctions:

“I don’t really think about the sanctions, I think about the kids and the heinous crime that was committed.”

Clay on preparing for the upcoming season:

“We go against the fastest offense in the country four times a week so we’re prepared to go against any offense. I think we are mentally and physically ”

Barner on the pressure of replacing James:

“Pressure is what you feel when you don’t know what you’re doing.”

Kelly on what position Thomas is (RB or WR):

“I don’t know what DeAnthony is. I know he’s a special talent. You just get the ball in his hands.”

That’s a wrap. Also announced today were the preseason polls that show, nearly unanimously, that the Ducks are favored to win the North Division and lose to USC in the conference championship game. Read more of that here.

Photo via @RoseBowlGame

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo, follow the site on Facebook and Twitter. Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Watson Talk Lacrosse.