BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Whether it's 90-plus degree heat, a frigid winter storm, or simply waiting for playing time, Philadelphia Eagles rookie and former University of Hawai'i running back Nate Ilaoa wants to be prepared.

"You've just gotta be ready. You never know what's going to happen," said Ilaoa, who was drafted in the seventh round. "You've just gotta expect that your number's going to be called the very next play and just keep it that way, cause you never know."

During drills on Thursday, Ilaoa proved just how ready he is, participating in key plays from quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, A.J. Feeley, Kelly Holcomb and Kevin Kolb.

A quarterback sneak by Kolb that resulted in a gain earned the former Warrior a rarely seen show of positive emotion from head coach Andy Reid, who gestured to Ilaoa with a pumped fist.

With heavy competition at the running back position, Ilaoa also has been training on the Eagles' special teams. He said he could also see himself as one of the special-team aces on punt-return coverage or kickoff coverage.

"You just come out here and just try to find some way you can fit in and try to help the team, and that's what everybody who is out here is trying to do — to make the team and find their way to contribute."

Among the backs are big-play threat Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, Ryan Moats and Tony Hunt. Moats, a star for Louisiana Tech, was drafted in the third round in 2005 while the 6-foot-1, 233-pound Hunt was drafted in the third round in 2007, four rounds ahead of the 5-9, 245-pound Ilaoa.

Besides learning about the pro game, Ilaoa also is learning about the enthusiasm and football savvy of the Eagles' fans.

"We came to mini camps in May," he said. "Some fans were just coming by the stadium honking and everybody (Eagles players and staff) was like, 'Yeah, but wait till you get to training camp.' "

The turnout was more than Ilaoa expected.

Throughout training camp near-record numbers of fans (totaling more than 10,000 per day) arrive before training begins. They fill the stands and lawn as they cheer for or yell at players throughout the day.

"I guess it's kind of a fan training camp as well, because they practice their cheers everyday and they're very supportive, but at the same time, you do something wrong out here, they'll let you know, too," Ilaoa said.

Ilaoa speaks fondly of the Eagles' fans, yet when he speaks of Hawai'i, you can tell the state is not far from his heart.

There is a hint of homesickness as he reflects on the culture shock of moving back to the Mainland.

"You know, it's just something I have to get used to," he said. "If I had it my way, I'd love to be in Hawai'i, but I love football, so football brought me here. It took me to Hawai'i (from Virginia), and now it's brought me back to the East Coast."

The Eagles will run a simulated game before their first preseason game against the Ravens on Monday in Baltimore.