Of course, blazing speed, ungodly athleticism and a little luck doesn't hurt, either.

If wide receiver Jamal Jones is to make the Eagles' roster, the 27-year-old said it will be because of his work ethic. And if he doesn't, at least he's a pragmatist.

"I'm a hard worker," Jones said. "I give 110 percent. Well, I give 100 percent. I don't like to say 110 percent. It's not realistic."

Based on yesterday's performance at the morning session of training camp, Jones may not need a Walter Mitty moment to survive cuts. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound speedster hauled in a number of passes - including two long-gainers - that impressed coach Andy Reid and perhaps the toughest critics - the fans.

"He's a good special-teams player. We knew that when we brought him in," Reid said, referring to Jones' short stint with the New Orleans Saints. "He sure did a nice job offensively today. He missed a couple of deep balls the last few days and kind of made up for it today."

Those early drops provided fodder for a few vocal fans to suggest that Jones get his bags packed and ready. They know of what they speak. Many a free agent has struggled early, never to lose that label, only to be cut with the first casualties.

Jones, however, rebounded and earned the praise of Reid and those fickle fans.

"That's part of being a pro," Jones said. "You get credit, and you get blamed, and you got to deal with both."

Working with the third team, Jones caught two long passes from quarterback A.J. Feeley. The first, a go route, came when he recognized a blitz and hit the burners. A few sessions later, Jones faked a slant, buckling rookie cornerback Kyle Arrington, and went deep to receive another floater from Feeley.

Jones worked with the second team as well, but there's still a tough climb for the North Carolina A&T product to be one of six (or even five) receivers to make the team. As Reid stated, however, Jones can get the job done on special teams, which may help his chances.

"I really can't tell what the coaches are thinking and what they're looking for," Jones said. "I think I have to be consistent on offense, but I also think I need to show up on special teams."

Jones, a teammate of Brian Westbrook's at DeMatha Catholic High School, was not drafted coming out of college in 2004. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams, cut, worked as a car wax salesman and then joined the Green Bay Packers later that season. He played in two games the following year and then bounced down to the New Orleans Saints, where he played in 12 games in 2006.

Jones was released before last season, partly, he said, because of a knee injury and was acquired by the Eagles this off-season. With Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown and DeSean Jackson definites to make the team, Jones' main competition for the final two or three spots will come from returnees Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis. Also in the mix are Michael Gasperson, Bam Childress, Frantz Hardy and Shaheer McBride.

"I realize that they have some free-agent wide receivers here and that they give guys a shot," Jones said. "I think that's a good deal."

Lewis was signed by the Eagles as a rookie free agent and six seasons later is still playing on borrowed time.

"You just have to come out here and take every day as your last day," Lewis said. "He has to come out here and play like he did today - stay aggressive, stay in the book, do as the coaches say and do something to get noticed."

Making catches is a good start.