Quotes from Nate on the last day of the Eagles minicamp

http://www.mcall.com/sports/columnists/all-col-jones.5849354may15,0,869338.column

About how he adjusted pretty easily to the environment of the minicamp, Nate said:
''That [previous experience] kind of helps,'' he acknowledged Monday afternoon, on the last day of the Birds' minicam. Meeting people and things like that, that's no problem. Anything you do [for the first time] is going to be tough at first, but I've been through it a lot, so I know what to expect." (Morning Call online)


Nate said that he spent the minicamp:
''trying to break old habits'' (Morning Call online)

Note: Nate was referring to learning new names for plays he ran in college.


About the increased speed at the NFL level, Nate said:
"In college, you're able to get away with a couple players being real fast, but out here, everyone's fast. Even the coaches are fast." (Morning Call online)

MC Note: "Speed is an issue; his 40 times topped out in the 4.7 range in the months leading up to the draft, something that might improve if he follows through on his plan to shed a few pounds.

Listed at 180 when he committed to Hawaii -- and also listed, curiously, at 5-10 -- he routinely played at 245 there, and was very productive in the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense. He accumulated 1,827 all-purpose yards last year (990 on the ground and 837 on 67 receptions), and finished his career with 3,383 yards from scrimmage."


About how he needs to lose weight, Nate said:
"Everything's up another level. I've got to do something to get onto that level, and I think losing weight and getting into tip-top shape is going to help me to do that." (Morning Call online)

Note: I'm glad that Nate knows this, because he's not guaranteed a roster spot and reporting to Eagles camp at 254 pounds really damages his pro potential. If he doesn't get that under control fast, he'll quickly lose his shot at the NFL. They aren't going to wait for him to lose weight and prod him like JJ did, they will just cut him and go to the next guy. Nate said in his interview that his injuries prevented him from losing weight while he was at UH, but now he doesn't have to worry about school and isn't mentioning any injuries, so there is no excuse for not being in NFL shape.