LAKE FOREST, Ill. – During last weekend’s minicamp, Rex Grossman stepped up in the pocket and rifled a completion to Mark Bradley along the sideline. In Wednesday’s OTA workout, the Bears quarterback quickly took off running when his receivers were covered.

Granted, there are no angry defensive linemen trying to plant Grossman in the turf during non-contact practices. But the focus that he’s placed on improving his fundamentals and techniques has been evident in 7-on-7 and team drills.

Working on keeping his weight on his back foot before stepping up in the pocket, Rex Grossman has been holding the ball further back toward his right shoulder.

Throughout the Bears’ offseason program, Grossman has worked with new quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton on stepping up in the pocket, which should result in stronger, more accurate throws while also enabling the fifth-year pro to run with the ball when no receivers are open.

With Hamilton charging at him during drills to simulate a pass rush, Grossman has been concentrating on holding the ball with two hands further back toward his right shoulder in order to keep his weight on his back foot as he sets up to throw.

“We’re trying to get everything [to be] muscle memory so I don’t think about keeping two hands on the ball or stepping up, it just comes naturally,” Grossman said. “Pep Hamilton’s been great and I’m excited that he’s here working with me.”

In his first full season as a starter last year, the former Florida star quarterbacked the Bears to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1985 yet was heavily scrutinized by fans and media.

Grossman was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, set a franchise record by registering at least a 100 passer rating in seven games and threw 10 TD passes in leading the Bears to a 5-0 record for the first time since 1986.

But the 2003 first-round pick also posted passer ratings of 0.0, 1.3, 10.2, 23.7 and 36.8, a handful of unsightly blemishes that he hopes to eradicate heading into the 2007 season.

“I feel a lot more confident just because I know what to expect,” Grossman said. “I’ve been through it. I can watch myself on tape and improve. I’ve experienced a lot.

“Starting that Super Bowl gives you a lot of experience and being in the playoff games, in overtime and things like that, being in tough situations and being able to watch yourself on tape and how you react and grow from that, hopefully I’ll be able to take that next step.”

As he prepares for his second full season as a starter, Grossman figures to benefit from the addition of three playmakers in the electrifying Devin Hester, who has switched from defense to offense; and two first-day draft picks in tight end Greg Olsen and running back Garrett Wolfe.

“I’m real excited,” Grossman said. “I’m excited about the guys that were here last year getting that much better, and then when you add Devin Hester and Greg Olsen, it allows you to call some different plays and add some more to your offense.

“We’re excited that Cedric Benson will take another step. Everyone’s optimistic at this point, but when you actually see them out there running routes and catching the ball, it actually puts a face on it. It feels good.”

Coach Lovie Smith has high expectations for Grossman this season.

“I feel very good about the position, I always have about Rex Grossman,” Smith said. “I’m excited about Rex being in the system, being the starter for the second year in a row. Normally there’s a big gain between the first year and the second year, and that’s what we expect.”