After being part of the second greatest one-year turnaround in Bears history, veteran receiver Muhsin Muhammad is hungry for more.

The two-time Pro Bowler, who had a team-high 64 catches for 750 yards and four touchdowns in his first season in Chicago, has high expectations entering the 2006 campaign.

Veteran receiver Muhsin Muhammad is one of only six NFL players with at least 50 receptions each of the past eight seasons.

"I think that we can build on what we established last year," Muhammad said. "That excites me because I don't think the team really reached its full potential. We can be a lot better than we were and we still were pretty darn good last year."

The Bears improved from 5-11 in 2004 to 11-5 last year. The only greater single-season leap was from 5-11 in 2000 to 13-3 in 2001.

Muhammad, quarterback Rex Grossman and the rest of the Bears offense figures to benefit from playing in the same system for a second straight season. In coordinator Ron Turner's first year in 2005, the offense ranked 29th overall in the NFL and 31st passing.

"We probably will be able to expand our playbook and I think we'll feel a lot more comfortable with what we're running," Muhammad said.

"We'll be able to be flexible on the field as far as the coaches' level of comfort with Rex going to different plays at the line of scrimmage. And I think the variety of plays that he'll be able to call at the line of scrimmage will increase."

From an individual standpoint, Muhammad's familiarity with the offense should help buoy his game in 2006. "I definitely will feel more comfortable in the system," he said. "I'll be able to play multiple (receiver) positions. It's going to help me having another year under my belt."

Muhammad signed with the Bears last year after spending his first nine NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers. After helping lead the Panthers to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2003, he caught 93 passes and led NFL receivers with 1,405 yards and 16 TDs in 2004.

The Bears' only established veteran receiver, Muhammad is confident that a complementary option will emerge this season. Young receivers Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley, Airese Currie and Justin Gage have all shown promise and could develop into a second threat.

"They're all working hard right now," Muhammad said. "Some of the guys have (minor) injuries that are not really allowing them to develop during this part of the offseason. But that classroom work is equally as important as field work right now. You have to be able to learn and know what's going on out there.

Muhsin Muhammad led the Bears with 64 catches for 750 yards and 4 TDs in 2005.

"The young guys that we have have the potential to be very good. But the key in this game is to turn potential into production. That'll be the challenge for those guys, to hit the field and turn all that potential into production."

Muhammad hopes to expedite that process by serving as a role model to his young teammates.

"I would like to think that guys can look at how I work on the field at practice and use that as an example," he said. "I try to be consistent and try to be the same player every day.

"A dependable player is going to be in the right place at the right time and you're going to catch the balls that are thrown to you. That is very important, especially for a young quarterback because he has to develop confidence.

"So I just want to supply guys with a good picture of what a true pro is supposed to look like when he practices and when he plays."

As Muhammad prepares for his 11th NFL season, his passion remains the same as it was when he joined the Panthers as a second-round pick in the 1996 draft.

"I love my job," he said. "I think that's why I've been able to play at the level that I've played at for so many years. I hate the business side of it, but I love the game of football.

"I think anybody who grew up playing this game as a kid can relate to that. This is a game that I grew up loving and playing, and that part of it has never changed."

NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACTION

After 12 days of practice spread out over the last three weeks, the 49ers players will ride off into the sunset now that OTAs have concluded. Well, not quite.

The off-season program strength and conditioning program doesn’t officially wrap up until next week. Many veterans, such as guard Eric Heitmann, have already reached 100% attendance and will enjoy the week off. Other vets still needing to make up days will use next week to do so while all of the rookies will remain in town for their final week of workouts before taking off for the NFL’s Rookie Symposium in San Diego.

And then 49ers Headquarters will likely resemble a ghost town as coaches and players depart for various scenic locations to enjoy R&R before the wear and tear of training camp sets in.

In the grand scheme of the season, the OTAs really are no more than a prelude. Fans eagerly await news from 49ers Headquarters, edgy to know how the rookies and free agents look, how last year’s injured guys are faring, wondering where the 49ers depth chart is located on 49ers.com (it’s not currently) and who will start where.

Most of those answers remain inconclusive but for what it’s worth, here are a few observations from the last few weeks.

David Baas worked mainly at center before working in some at guard in the final week of OTAs. Adam Snyder took reps primarily at right tackle and will compete with Kwame Harris at right tackle. Snyder also expects to take some reps at right guard during training camp. Known for being a special teams guru, safety Keith Lewis worked with the #1 defense on Thursday. Tight ends Vernon Davis AND Eric Johnson often lined up next to each other in a two tight-end set.

But according to Coach Nolan, who works where and with what unit is really irrelevant.

Nolan has cautioned his team from taking anything away from the amount of reps, promising that nothing is etched in stone and that camp will be an open competition.

“It’s really been about getting our systems installed and getting different guys reps as they come along,” said Nolan of the OTAs. “This was more about learning than anything else.”

As for Johnson who is coming off the foot injury, he appears every bit the player he was in 2004 – fluid in his route running with great hands. Safety Tony Parrish returned to practice at the start of the week for the first time since breaking his ankle/leg last November, albeit with the reigns on in terms of his amount of reps. A collective inhale of breath took place on the sidelines when Parrish lost his footing on the first day and slipped, but he immediately popped up and finished out the play.

At an early glance, this draft class rightly deserves the high marks it received from draft analysts. Davis is fast and explosive, but that was expected just by looking at his incredible 40 time. Manny Lawson relies on his long arms to create separation and he should give the offensive tackles problems rushing off the edge. Delanie Walker made flashy catches in almost every practice. Michael Robinson has the smarts, and seemingly the vision and explosiveness to earn a living in this league at running back.

But coaches are not inclined to say too much about any of the rookies at this point; they’ll defer until they see them in pads in July.

Taking a look at the new vets, Larry Allen continues to do extra running after every practice as he trims down his weight. Simply put, he’s a beast. Cornerback Walt Harris enters his 11th season, but the vet still covers the field with a fresh pair of legs and a spring in his step.

Wide receiver Bryan Gilmore makes plays in every practice but a one-handed snag on a deep ball on Thursday had his offensive teammates cheering from the sidelines.

“Where did that guy come from,” someone asked.

“I think Miami,” another one answered.

Cornerback Sammy Davis, picked up in a trade with San Diego for Rashaun Woods, was another smart addition for the 49ers. Davis has quick feet and great change of direction. Earlier in the week, he displayed both as he unnaturally twisted his body at the last second to knock down a deep ball.

LB Manny LawsonWith so much in the air, one decisive fact is that training camp promises to be much more competitive than a year ago. This is a faster team. This is a team with a purpose and more confidence - from the rookies up. That confidence was clear in an exchange overheard on Tuesday night at Alex Smith’s kickoff for his foundation between rookie newcomer Manny Lawson and Alex's mom.

Introducing himself, Lawson said, “Mrs. Smith, I would just like to apologize right now because when your son calls and tells you that someone is just harassing him and chasing him down at practice, that’s going to be me. Because I’ll be lining up and I’ll be running off the ball and coming after him.”

That’s the attitude of a 49ers team with plans to make a run in the NFC West.