Oregon Journey - BCS t-3

by Andy McNamara, Assistant Director Media Services, Football

It was another sun-drenched day here in the desert, but the early portion of it was spent inside the swanky media hotel with the entire squad participating in Media Day.

You'd be hard pressed to find any member of the 100-plus Oregon roster who didn't get interviewed by somebody as every story angle that could possibly be explored appeared to be by the print, radio, television and internet folks on hand.

The Ducks were clearly the main celebrities of the hourlong session, but it was also a who's who of sports journalists, spanning from ESPN personalities to former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who currently works as a radio host for Sirus/XM. UO players weren't the only people of interest as some smaller media types used the opportunity to interview the bigger media types.

D.J. Davis was plenty busy, fielding questions from several Oregon based and national outlets, and showed off his own interview skills by interviewing defensive end Terrell Turner for a Portland television station. Davis was rewarded for his efforts with a visit from Pardon the Interruption's Michael Wilbon, who spent a good 10 minutes just chatting with the receiver after learning of his desire to meet him.

Freshman safety Brian Jackson, who plays primarily on special teams, was one of the more sought after sound bites as UO's lone player from the State of Alabama. And speaking of sound bites, Cliff Harris lifted his self-imposed interview embargo, delivering this gem to SI.com's Stewart Mandel about the Oregon defense: "Our defense is a great white shark swimming along the ocean. Everything in front of us, we eat it up."

Following Friday's practice, several Ducks paid a visit to a local children's hospital. Look for a Walker's Pace blog about the visit shortly if it's not up already on GoDucks.com.

Until tomorrow, Go Ducks. And in the meantime, check out some of today's action from the lens of Geoff Thurner.

LaMichael James talks to ESPN's Wendi Nix during Friday's Media Day.

The most coveted crystal football there is.

DT and EA discuss the lack of originality surrounding their nicknames.

AD Rob Mullens speaks with Boston-based Pete Thamel of the New York Times.

Don't I know you? Casey Matthews talks with fledgling television reporter and former Oregon cheerleader Amanda Pflugrad.

Here's a look at the four different game program covers that will be available at the BCS Championship Game.

Duck Josh Kaddu and Pirate Mike Leach.

Nate Costa on the FOX set.

Go Ducks!