Ten Thoughts on the NFL: Chicago Bears and beyond

1) New England Patriots' owner Robert Kraft is angry about the penalties handed down in the never-ending deflated balls saga. In a recent interview with The MMQB, Kraft expresses his unhappiness.

"I just get really worked up. To receive the harshest penalty in league history is just not fair. The anger and frustration with this process, to me, it wasn't fair."

He has a point. There were things about the investigation that seemed like a witch-hunt, but when you foster an environment of skirting the rules like the Pats have done, it's hard for people to look at things with an open mind.

I heard something intersecting on the radio last week in regards to the Patriots suing the NFL. At the center of the investigation is quarterback Tom Brady's refusal to fully cooperate, but if the Pats decide to bring a lawsuit against the NFL, all the phone records that Brady refused to hand over because he had no legal obligation to do so, now become at risk with a potential subpoena.

1a) If you haven't seen the Patriots' rebuttal to the Wells Report, it's worth a read if you have the time - The Wells Report in Context.

And if you're just looking for an in-depth explanation on the "pee alibi", SB Nation has you covered.

2) Tom Brady seems to be taking an Alfred E. Neuman approach to all the controversy. He was recently seen in the Bahamas golfing with Michael Jordan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tom Brady has the key to relaxation: golfing in the Bahamas with Michael Jordan.&#10;&#10;See more: <a href="http://t.co/J2FCBZqj71">http://t.co/J2FCBZqj71</a> <a href="http://t.co/dHE3gULEAF">pic.twitter.com/dHE3gULEAF</a></p>&mdash; NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/600107072588554240">May 18, 2015</a></blockquote>

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3) Since we're on the subject of cheating, YourTeamCheats.com has a rundown on how all 32 teams in the NFL have cheated. I feel obligated, as someone that absolutely can not stand the addition of "-gate" to every controversial topic, to let you know that this is exactly how they reference every single instance of cheating.

The biggest cheating team according to the site is not the Patriots, but the Denver Broncos with a cheat score of 49!

4) As a fan of both the NFL and sports entertainment professional wrestling, I found it interesting that Steve Borden Jr., a tight end from Kentucky and the son of legendary pro wrestler Sting, was trying out at the Kansas City Chiefs' rookie mini camp.

5) Jarryd Hayne is another off season rookie hopeful, but the 27 year old Hayne has taken an unconventional path to the San Francisco 49ers. Hayne (6'2", 220) is a former professional rugby player who was named the the National Rugby League's player of the year in both 2009 and 2014. It's so far, so good for Hayne in camp according to head coach Jim Tomsula.

"Did you see him catching those punts?" Tomsula asked reporters Friday. "It's a little easier to catch a football than it is a rugby ball. If wind gets that rugby ball, that thing is zigzagging all over the place."

Tomsula added that it's still early on Hayne's camp tenure, and that where the team is currently at in their camp process still very much resembles Hayne's former profession. "You watch what we're doing here and it's still rugby. There's no pads here. He's fielding balls and running around in shorts and a T-shirt," Tomsula said. "Am I thrilled he's here? Absolutely. He's a neat dude. All that stuff is great. He's running around, learning his stuff. He's dedicated. He's committed. He's a pro."

If you remember, it was the 49ers that signed British discus thrower Lawrence Okoye in 2013. Okoye, who had never played American football, spent 2013 on injured reserve and 2014 on their practice squad. The 6'6", 304 pound defensive end is still hanging around the Niner roster.

6) The NFL Spring meetings get underway in San Francisco today and the extra point will again be a topic of discussion. Here are the three proposals that will be voted on.

• From the Patriots - If a team attempts to kick the extra point, the ball would be snapped from the 15 yard line. Two point conversions remain unchanged.
• From the Philadelphia Eagles - On 1 point tries, the ball would be placed on the 15 yard line, but on 2 point tries the ball would be placed on the 1 yard line. Also if the defense blocks a kick or recovers the ball via a turnover, they can return it for a safety and be awarded 2 points.
• From the competition committee - The same as the Eagles proposal with the differences being, the two point conversion try would remain at the 2 yard line and a safety would only be 1 point.

Do any of these three sound good to you?

7) You may have heard that Green Bay Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers won a round of Celebrity Jeopardy, but did you hear about the potential FCC violation that slipped past the censors?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pretty sure Aaron Rodgers just dropped an f bomb on Celebrity Jeopardy. <a href="https://t.co/qW1R2XGPra">https://t.co/qW1R2XGPra</a></p>&mdash; Mikey Roberts (@Mikey_Roberts) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikey_Roberts/status/598267271593734144">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>

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8) The Superfans demanded I pass along this picture.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spoiler alert: Aaron Rodgers’ appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy didn’t go so well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash">#Bears</a> <a href="http://t.co/9SXzUMpzA8">pic.twitter.com/9SXzUMpzA8</a></p>&mdash; Kevin Kaduk (@KevinKaduk) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinKaduk/status/598208363613192192">May 12, 2015</a></blockquote>

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9) The NFL Network has gone through the first 20 in their annual Top 100 NFL Player rankings, and so far there are no Chicago Bears to be found. Which makes me wonder if the Bears will end up with anyone on the much talked about list for 2015.

Last year the Bears had 5 players make the Top 100, but after a 5-11 season I don't think any Bear will be worthy.

10) Speaking of lists, the Pro Football Focus Top 101 of 2014 is counting down, and with only 10 players to go, it looks like not one 2014 Bears' player will make that list either. But that's not to say no current Bear made the cut. Check out what they had to say about Chicago's big free agent signing.

52. Pernell McPhee, ED, Baltimore Ravens (Unranked)

Earned himself a big free agent deal as a situational menace in Baltimore. Playing just 540 snaps he still earned the second highest grade of all 3-4 outside linebackers. Imagine what he could do with more playing time? A true defensive mismatch who can and was used in a number of ways to exploit and overwhelm offenses, McPhee was fantastic in picking up a huge 64 quarterback disruptions.

Best Performance: Week 4, CAR @ BLT, +5.1

Key Stat: His 14.0 Pass Rushing Productivity score was fourth best of all edge defenders.

McPhee has a real chance to be a big time difference maker for Vic Fangio's D.

What are some of your thoughts this week?