Reggie Brown knows the deal. He knows that he needs to be more consistent catching the football from day one of practice and then into training camp and then into the regular season. He knows that in order to take his game to the next level, Brown has to make plays from one week to the next.

That's why Brown has applied himself in a very specific manner in this offseason.

"I'm catching more balls. Every day, I'm making sure I catch and catch and work on my hands and get to the point where I'm more consistent doing it. Whether or not anyone is telling me to go out there, I'm doing it. I need to do it and I feel like it's made a big difference for me," said Brown, who had a career-high 61 receptions last season. "I'm seeing the ball great right now and I'm picking it up sooner. Hopefully, it will continue to progress through the offseason and carry me into the season feeling confident about my abilities to make big plays.

"It's something I've struggled at, and it has always been early in the season when I've struggled with it. It has taken me a little bit too long to get acclimated to the ball during the season. That's one thing I wanted to correct this year. I really want to put forth the effort to be more consistent at catching the ball."

Brown says he is catching about 100 balls a day, both from quarterbacks working out at the NovaCare Complex and from the ball machine. His goal is to further his rapport with Donovan McNabb, to gain a deep trust with McNabb, and to show the coaching staff that he can be counted on when the bell rings on September 7.

Entering his fourth NFL season, the second-round draft pick from 2005 hopes to take a large leap forward in his career. Last year's numbers were fine in some respects, but Brown has to be more productive right away. He caught only 8 passes for 81 yards in four games last September -- the Eagles went 1-3 in that stretch -- before breaking out with a six-catch, 89-yard effort against the Jets.

Brown finished strong -- 22 catches for 262 yards in the final four games -- and he has carried that momentum over to the spring.

"We're getting the work in every day and it's good for me," said Brown. "Whether or not you're struggling, by the end of it, you feel confident. I know it's making me a better catcher. I feel like I'm becoming more consistent, getting used to the velocity and seeing the ball."

Brown has had an eventful and memorable offseason. He got married to his longtime girlfriend, Megaen, and then enjoyed a honeymoon to France and Italy and now he is back to work. Now he is focused on the game, on bettering himself.

While the story from the fans' and media's perspective is "CAN THE EAGLES WIN WITH THESE WIDE RECEIVERS???" Brown is concerned only with improving his game.

So far, Brown is encouraged by the results of his hard work. And he has learned over the years to ignore what the outside world is saying.

"I really don't listen to it. I don't put too much stock in it," said Brown. "The only thing I can do is play my game and progress as a wide receiver and that's what I'm doing. Hopefully, our receiving corps can quiet those critiques about us and go out and show everyone that this squad that we have is a very productive squad with star quality.

"I'm not bragging, but I've been at a high level of football for a long time, and you get those kinds of criticisms from some. You don't take it to heart, because if you do that in this league, it's going to bother you in your offseason preparation and it's going to bother you in the games. That's just not healthy, to put stock in what other people say. What matters is what your coaches say. That's all I focus on."

Like everyone else here, Brown believes this year will be far more successful than last year. Eight and eight and missing the playoffs was not what the Eagles had in mind for 2007. Now the page is turned. The Eagles have been busy in the offseason and have, they think, the pieces in place for the run to the top.

There is a buzz in the NovaCare Complex, a level of confidence that good things are going to happen.

"Everyone is going to come in focused this year and understand the timing of this year and the importance that this year has on everyone's careers," said Brown. "I think it is going to produce a great season."

Now it is time for more hard work. Brown has more footballs to catch. He knows how much work he has to do, and that's why the days now and the effort he puts in today will pay off when the season starts.