This article was originally published in the Daily News on August 10, 2004.

Crunch Time is a compilation of hits and a few misses from Eagles training camp.

BETHLEHEM - It was a lovely catch, easily the catch of the day, but it incited little interest among the fans crowding along the fences at Lehigh.

Todd Pinkston had to leap and reach back at the end of a long crossing pattern, ignoring the upstretched arms of cornerback Sheldon Brown. Pinkston hauled in the throw from Donovan McNabb and kept going, his long legs pumping.

Had the receiver been wearing No. 81, his feat would have been celebrated. Since he wore No. 87, he got a polite smattering of applause.

And really, who can blame fans for being dismissive? The face of last January's third consecutive NFC Championship Game loss was Pinkston's wan, baffled expression, trying to explain being held to no catches, why he'd been bumped out of his routes and stripped of his composure.

It was James Thrash, though, who ended up getting traded, to Washington. Pinkston is still here, standing deep in the shadow of Terrell Owens.

"It's exciting for the fans. It's good to see them so excited," Pinkston said recently, when asked about T.O. mania.

Though the possibility exists that an emerging Freddie Mitchell will move outside, for now, Pinkston remains a starter, and so far, he seems to be playing like one.

"All the focus has gone the other way, but he's had a solid camp here," offensive coordinator Brad Childress said yesterday, when asked about Pinkston. "He's catching the ball well, catching the ball upfield. "

Childress agreed that Owens' presence could help open up things for Pinkston, and spoke of Pinkston having ample motivation.

"Well, I think Todd is a smart enough guy that he knows what has been said about him, and he's a very prideful guy," Childress said.