LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Looking fit and trim after shedding nearly 10 pounds, Cedric Benson ran with increased quickness and strength during Wednesday’s OTA practice at Halas Hall. After the two-hour non-contact workout, the Bears running back smiled frequently while discussing his life on and off the field with a throng of reporters.

Cedric Benson has rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns on 420 carries in 35 career games with the Bears.

If his arrest May 3 in Texas or the arrival of promising rookie running back Matt Forte was bothering Benson, you certainly couldn’t tell by his sunny disposition.

“I feel faster, quicker, smarter, smoother and healthier,” said the 2005 first-round draft pick. “I feel great. I feel everything. Everything on a positive note, that’s how I feel.”

When asked whether he has fully recovered from the broken ankle that sidelined him for the final five games last season, Benson said: “I feel great. I hope y'all had the cameras on all practice.”

Benson struggled in his first full year as a starter in 2007, rushing for 674 yards and 4 touchdowns on 196 carries while averaging a career-low 3.4 yards per attempt.

The Bears bolstered a running game that ranked 30th in the NFL in yards per game and 32nd in yards per rush by selecting Forte in the second round of the draft. But Benson denied that the rookie’s presence will change the way he competes for the starting job.

“It’s always been a challenge,” Benson said. “Garrett Wolfe came last year, [after spending my] first two years with Thomas Jones. It’s always been a challenge. I wouldn’t expect anything less or any different.”

Although many believe that Forte will ultimately emerge as the Bears’ feature back, coach Lovie Smith told ChicagoBears.com last week that Benson remains the starter.

“Matt Forte has never played a down for us here,” Smith said in responding to an email question from a fan. “He’s like all other rookies, starting from the bottom and working his way up. Cedric was our starter last year, and he’s our starter right now. For someone else to be the starter, they’re going to have to beat him out.

“I’m going to put Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe in there also. We like what Matt Forte brings. When you draft a player that high, you’re expecting him to eventually play and have a role with your team. But Cedric Benson has looked good in workouts out here. I’m hoping that Cedric will get back to form and we see that guy that we know he is.”

Telling reporters Wednesday that “I’m just going to be me and make plays,” Benson understands that he’ll have to earn the No. 1 job in training camp and the preseason. 

“I would hope I’d have to do something to keep it,” he said. “Nobody wants to be given anything. It makes it more fun and more exciting when you’ve got a challenge going.”

Benson certainly looks the part after losing weight, something he attributes to healthier eating.

“I wasn’t really trying to lose weight,” he said. “I think just in changing my diet,  it just naturally happened. I guess I had a lot of unnecessary weight maybe.”

Benson also addressed his arrest in Texas. He was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, during a random safety check on his 37-foot boat on Lake Travis near Austin. 

According to police, Benson failed a field sobriety test and was pepper-sprayed after he “presented himself in a very hostile way.” He was described in a police report as being cocky and combative, smelling of alcohol and using profanity.

But Benson insists that he was not intoxicated and was mistreated by police. He claims he cooperated with officers and has now been questioned by lake police six times in the year he has owned the boat. Benson has a court date June 30 in Texas, but he does not have to be present. He also indicated that he has no plans to file a civil suit against police.

“It’ll be nice to get it cleared up and over with, but I don’t really spend too much time thinking about it at all,” Benson said. “I’m sticking to my story, and the truth will come out some time, whether it’ll be now or a year from now or whenever.”

Commenting about Benson's arrest for the first time May 10 at the Bears Care Gala, general manager Jerry Angelo called the incident “a lapse in judgment.” He acknowledged that Benson might have been the victim but expressed disappointment “that he put himself in a position to be the victim.”

When asked for a response Wednesday, Benson said: “He’d have to explain to me how I put myself in a situation to be a victim. I was enjoying myself, enjoying my offseason.”

Benson was clearly enjoying himself on the practice field, showing a burst while taking handoffs and catching passes. Asked whether he considers the 2008 campaign a “make or break” season, the former Texas star said: “I haven’t really thought about it, But if it is, I’m sure I’m going to make it happen.”