Grossman, Orton battling it out

For the first time in five years, quarterback Rex Grossman isn't No. 1 on the Bears' depth chart. He and Kyle Orton are alternating practice days running the first-team offense, and the competition is expected to extend into the preseason.

Grossman is coming off an inconsistent 2007 season when he was benched early for poor play but performed better when given a second chance, although not well enough to be given the starting job.

"I think I have a little bit of a chip on my shoulder striving to prove myself in this league and get myself over that hump to become a great quarterback in this league consistently," said Grossman, who has often mixed exceptional and horrendous games throughout his first five seasons. "I'm working as hard as I can to get there. There's a lot in front of me, but I feel I can handle everything that's thrown at me."

There has already been unsubstantiated speculation in both directions that the Bears are leaning toward one quarterback over the other, but Grossman is focusing on what he can control.

"It is what it is," he said of the competition. "I'm doing my job and not commenting on anything else. I'm really just focused on me getting better."

Grossman was not sharp Saturday while running the first-team offense, throwing 3 interceptions. Orton also failed to impress, though, as he was also intercepted three times.

Both quarterbacks are working with a wide receiver unit in transition. Veteran free agents Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd were added earlier in the off-season, and rookie Earl Bennett was drafted in the third round. All three could be major players in a revamped offense, which means both quarterbacks have a lot of on-the-field relationships to work on between now and the season opener. Having to split practice reps could slow the development of that rapport.

"I don't really know yet," Grossman said. "But I have plenty of time. If I feel like I don't have enough reps with somebody, I bring them out here when we're not practicing, and we go through stuff. But I don't think it's going to be a problem."

Grossman re-signed with the Bears in the off-season rather than opting for a fresh start elsewhere, mainly because of his familiarity with the organization. But he's playing under a one-year contract, increasing the pressure on him to perform this year, which could determine the direction his career heads.

"I think anybody going into their last year of their contract or signing a one-year deal, it's added pressure on them to have a good season," he said. "And I'm excited about the opportunities if that were the case. Who knows what's going to happen? I've got one thing in mind -- that's having a good season this year."

• Cornerback Charles Tillman was not at practice Saturday, but the absence was excused.