Nasti Arrives

From the Philadelphia Eagles website, here's an article about the rookies arriving for mini-camp. And here's an excerpt on Nate:

Ilaoa: Long Journey Here

Most Eagles rookies display a sense of wide-eyed excitement upon arriving for their first day of mini-camp. For Eagles' seventh-round pick Nate Ilaoa, the sentiment must have resembled relief more than anything.

The running back arrived at the NovaCare Complex after a 6,000 mile journey from Hawaii, where Ilaoa played in college. It was a journey that started at 9 o'clock Thursday night.

"It was pretty long," Ilaoa said. "I had a three-hour layover in L.A. I was the only one up in the plane on the way here."

On the field, Ilaoa specializes in the aerial game as well - excelling at receiving the ball out of backfield. Ilaoa came to Hawaii originally as a wideout before switching to the backfield, where he set Hawaii's all-time record for receptions by a running back with 151. Ilaoa's receiving ability should help him fit into Andy Reid's offensive scheme.

"I've seen a lot of Eagles games," Ilaoa said. "I've seen how they use (Brian) Westbrook, how he catches the ball out of the backfield a lot and that's the big thing they do in Hawaii. You got to be able to catch the ball in tight spaces."

The 5-feet-9, 245-pound Ilaoa's routes are usually far less circuitous than his journey to Philadelphia was. In Hawaii, Ilaoa used his big frame to overpower defenders when he ran with the football. Ilaoa's hands and power will help him stand out from a crowded running back field.

For now, Ilaoa will accept getting through the weekend without feeling any jet-lag.

"We'll find out tomorrow," said Ilaoa jokingly.