KNBR's Brendan Bigelow Media Day!

Let it be known that July 17 is Brendan Bigelow Media Day! At least, according to Damon Bruce of KNBR when he chatted with Bigelow about the future of the Cal program, the current status of Bigelow's health, and the history of great Cal running backs.

The conversation began by looking back to the 2012 season and Bigelow's amazing stats--but low number of carries--and how the new coaching staff intends to get him involved in the new Bear Raid offense.

I take everything one day at a time. There are no hard feelings with my old coaches--I love them still. You have to move on and start fresh, so it's a new start for myself and I'm getting better at the things I need to get better at.

For all of us, when a new coach comes in, we wonder how we're supposed to deal with it and the loss of our old coach. How are we supposed to bounce back? My early impressions were ‘Can he turn the program around? Can he do the things necessary to get our program up and running? Can we win games?'

I like [the new offense] a lot. My old high school actually ran the same offense. We called certain formations differently, but it's the same style of spread offense. It's exactly what I did in high school, so I'm familiar with it.

Of course, Bigelow's performance is reliant on the status of his knees and his ability to rebound from that injury.

I'm back out there on the field now. I'm starting to run and cut and stuff, start wearing my brace. I take it one day at a time though. I'm getting treatment and stuff like that, but I'm up and running now. I feel good about that. I'm happy about that.

I haven't had contact yet, but I think as soon as I get hit, I'll bounce back and smile because I'm back. Hopefully I can get that confidence when that does happen, but I'm looking forward to the season and getting back in the pads.

via assets.sbnation.com

If Bigeow's recovery is successful, there's no doubt the fans will look to him to continue the trend of first-class running backs at Cal thanks to his superstar speed and uncanny balance. Bruce asked Bigelow how much contact the youngster has with these elite predecessors.

Those guys are great and I look up to all of them. I talked to Marshawn Lynch and he was telling me ‘Take it one day at a time and you'll get back to your normal self and regain that confidence.' Shane Vereen also taught me my blocking and stuff like that and to take it one day at a time and not to rush it. Jahvid Best, who is also one of my favorite players--I got to talk to him a couple of practices ago before the spring game; we had a little conversation. It was good to actually get to talk to him. I look up to all of those guys, so it was great to talk to all of them.

Throughout the entire interview, Bigelow continued to reiterate his philosophy of taking life "one day at a time." He isn't preoccupied with what the future could hold--setting school records, becoming another great Cal RB, or an NFL contract--he's focused on what he needs to do today to be his best.

Bruce then asked about some more broad topics related to Cal football, like the new stadium and the shiny new uniforms. Bigs picked us purely based on our unis, right?

The facilities are great. The stadium is historical; it's been around for so long and so many great athletes have come out of it. The alumni have been building it up and all the money that was actually put into the stadium. It's a great feeling to have the facilities that everybody donated and gave back to Cal for. It's a great feeling to be a part of it and to bring my athletic ability to the program.

I like [the new uniforms], too--a lot. I like all of them. My favorite one is the white ones--the white uniforms. I like the yellow ones too.

And don't worry guys--Bigelow reiterated that the polar bear helmets are gone.

via www.goldenbearsports.com

Of course, it wouldn't be a 2013-preseason interview without asking about the quarterback battle. Even in an interview with a running back. Bruce seems to have ruled Hinder out of the competition, asking Bigelow for his thoughts on Zach Kline and Jared Goff.

They're both explosive. They both can throw. They both can run. They have everything a quarterback needs to have that starting job. I like both of them. It comes down to who's gonna have the most heart when we're in a situation that needs his help to win the game. Who's gonna sacrifice. They're both great quarterbacks, so best of luck to the best of them.

I don't care who we play, as long as we play to the finish. I love my team to death and I'd do anything for them. I don't care who we play, as long as we can play our heart out. That is all that matters to me.