Darron Thomas

Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas prepares to throw during the second half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Former

quarterback

is back in Oregon continuing his football career as the quarterback of the AFL's Portland Thunder. Thomas, who passed for a school record 33 touchdowns as a junior and led Oregon to a BCS title game appearance and Rose Bowl victory in consecutive seasons,

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Thomas spoke with The Oregonian Thursday for a brief Q&A on his post-Oregon football career, playing for the Thunder, Mark Helfrich and Chip Kelly, the Alamo Bowl and more.

What have you been up to since leaving Eugene?

"I've been bouncing around, but I'm excited to be here. Over the last two years since I left Oregon I've been trying to improve on being a quarterback, trying to get better every day. I signed with a few different teams [in the

], played with the Canadian league, had a great opportunity ... but I've been bouncing around trying to find a fit and I think I found it here."

Have all these different experiences over the last two years shaped who you are at all?

"It's a business mentality but it has shaped me a lot. I have met a lot of people and learned a lot of things from a lot of different people to improve on me. Like I said, I'm happy for this situation. I got to bounce around and I really don't like to bounce around, but like I said I found a fit."

And playing for the Thunder you'll be playing in front of a lot of Ducks fans ...

"That was one of the main reasons I came back and accepted this opportunity to come here, just for the fans and I know people are behind me. They're positive out here and I'm happy to get back out here."

Are you the starting quarterback for the Thunder or competing for the starting spot?

"I'm coming in to compete and be the starter and that's what I came out here for. I know it's going to be a competition but it's a competition with everything."

For the uninitiated, how is the AFL different from what people are used to seeing in college and the NFL?

"It's really a faster game because the field is smaller so you got to be quicker and smarter. There's a whole bunch of NFL guys and guys that have played in the NFL playing in this league. It's similar to what I was doing in Eugene; high scoring, want to put up a lot of points."

Speaking of Eugene, do you watch every Oregon game?

"Oh yeah, I'm an alumni, I keep up with the Ducks. I'm a 100 percent fan."

Being in the program and having been coached by both, do you see any differences from afar in this team from under Chip Kelly to under Mark Helfrich?

"You wouldn't notice it from the outside looking in but from a players standpoint they're having fun and I know Coach Helfrich brings that to the team. I'm happy he got the position and I know he'll get better and better each year as head coach."

What's he like inside the walls?

"Coach Helfrich is a comedian, he's an open book. The relationship between him and the players, he's open to anything. You can go to Coach Helfrich and talk about life, football, anything. He comes with a smile on his face every day, ready to go."

When you reflect on your time at Oregon, is there a favorite moment or game or play, anything like that, that stands out to you?

"Just being a family, just being a brotherhood. I think that's what got us going in the right direction. I remember every game like it was yesterday; I cherish every moment. But what I remember most was going out and competing every day with my brothers.

"The national championship was a big thing for us – it wasn't a big thing when we were there, but looking back on it, it was a great thing for us."

The program has built such a level of success recently, how hard is it to keep that going each year?

"This season wasn't a down year, it was just the first year there was a little adversity. The expectations are high but you come to Oregon to play with those expectations. I don't think Coach Helfrich or Coach Kelly would bring in a player if they didn't want to have those expectations of going undefeated or being the best. 10-2 is not a bad year – that'd get you hired at other places. But the expectations at Oregon are high and you want to keep them that way and I know next year they're going to be right back in the mix."

What do you think about the Alamo Bowl matchup with Texas?

"I think we're gonna take a victory. I just can't wait because we're going to play a Texas team. We're gonna come out here and show these guys we can play ball."

How big is it for the guys on the team from Texas to play a team they grew up watching and wanting to play for in a national power like Texas?

"It's gonna be amazing. When I saw they were going to play Texas in the Alamo Bowl I knew it would be a positive thing for Oregon. What people don't know is that a lot of people in Texas love Oregon now. You're gonna have a lot more Oregon fans at that game than you think."

How closely do you pay attention to what Chip Kelly is doing in Philly? A lot of people were anxious to see if his system could work in the NFL. It's not copy-and-paste, but are you surprised at the success he's having with the Eagles?

"I watch every game. I'm not surprised at all. You can talk about the offense but Chip preaches another outlook, he preaches hard work and dedication. If you put that all into your football, I don't care what system you bring, you're going to have a positive season."

Do you have expectations for yourself with Portland Thunder?

"We have a lot of expectations but I'm still going to learn the game, come out here and improve. We're ready to have a good season I know that. We're coming out here to do positive things in the community and on the football field."

Finally, I know you're going to the Blazers-Rockets game tonight. Prediction?

"It's crazy they brought me out here during the Rockets game because any other game I'd be for the Blazers. I'm taking the Rockets, but I wouldn't be surprised if they beat us. The Blazers are playing some of the best ball I've seen in a long time, they got a great team. It's going to be a good game I think."

-- Sean Meagher