Ten Thoughts on the NFL: Chicago Bears and beyond

1) Cleveland's starting quarterback, Josh McCown, completed 5 of 5 passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Their backup QB, Johnny Manziel, went 7 for 10 with 42 yards passing, and he had 2 rushing attempts for 14 yards with a TD.

Back when the Browns signed the 36 year old McCown, it was assumed that he would mentor the 22 year old Manziel. But when McCown was signed, Manziel was in the middle of a rehab stint, so it was a wait and see approach for the Browns.

It looks like Cleveland's plan has come to fruition and the two quarterbacks have formed a bond.

"Josh is a pro, he's been doing this a long time," Manziel said Thursday night following Cleveland's 20-17 exhibition loss to Washington.

"I'm always watching and trying to learn from him. He's always giving me a lot of tips. I can hear him on the sideline even when he's out (of the game) and I'm out there.

"He has been very, very helpful, and it has been awesome having him around."

McCown is still slated to open up as the starter in Cleveland, but a more mature and focused Manziel could end up being the best thing to come out of McCown's signing.

1a) I like the new Cleveland Browns' uniforms.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers' outside linebacker James Harrison isn't very fond of participation trophies. He'd rather his kids earn whatever hardware they receive.

I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise to boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy.

He ended his rant with a ‪#‎harrisonfamilyvalues‬

I couldn't agree more with his line of thinking.

3) The San Francisco 49ers have had just about as bad an offseason as possible with front office drama, coaching changes, unexpected retirements and suspended players. So it has to be a breath of fresh air for them and their fans, that rugby star turned running back Jarryd Hayne is looking good so far.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last year, <a href="https://twitter.com/49ers">@49ers</a> RB <a href="https://twitter.com/jarrydhayne_1">@jarrydhayne_1</a> was playing rugby.&#10;&#10;This year? He&#39;s putting NFL defenders on skates. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFvsHOU?src=hash">#SFvsHOU</a> <a href="http://t.co/30PS6ENIFP">http://t.co/30PS6ENIFP</a></p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/632717193424207872">August 16, 2015</a></blockquote>

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I know that play was from a meaningless preseason game, but word from 49ers camp is that Hayne is making a push for a roster spot.

SB Nation has 6 things to know about Jarryd Hayne's journey from rugby league MVP to NFL rookie.

4) This may be the greatest call of a preseason field goal of all time.

<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Packers K Mason Crosby with the hat trick&#10;(via <a href="https://twitter.com/n_j_l_">@n_j_l_</a>)&#10;<a href="http://t.co/NmcqE6koS6">http://t.co/NmcqE6koS6</a>&#10;<a href="http://t.co/Spd8LRrvW2">pic.twitter.com/Spd8LRrvW2</a></p>&mdash; SB Nation NFL (@SBNationNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationNFL/status/632145150223908864">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

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I would love to hear Jim Nantz bust out a GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!

5) This was kind of cool.

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Not every little girl grows up watching My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop, some little girls want to know why the Seahawks didn't give it to Beast Mode on the 1 yard line.

6) Trent Richardson is a terrible running back.

<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is THE most frustrating thing about Trent Richardson. He cuts it up field that&#39;s 6 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash">#RaiderNation</a> <a href="http://t.co/WdRNi2klCn">pic.twitter.com/WdRNi2klCn</a></p>&mdash; Blackhanside (@blackhanside) <a href="https://twitter.com/blackhanside/status/632556290934308864">August 15, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Seriously, how does he keep getting jobs?

7) In the let's-settle-down department;

Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III said this recently.

"I feel like I'm the best quarterback in the league and I have to go out and show that."

And newly signed New York Giants safety Brandon Merriweather said this.

"Yes, I know I am," Meriweather said in comments distributed by the team when asked if he is still one of the best safeties in the league.

Pro athletes are highly competitive, but when you haven't done much in the league for a while, a little humility is OK.

8) Not only did Philip Rivers do this.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This preseason Philip Rivers face makes it all worth it.&#10;(via <a href="https://twitter.com/jescobar1208">@jescobar1208</a>)&#10;<a href="http://t.co/WXFthvBN2h">http://t.co/WXFthvBN2h</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZjiqiWXKrj">pic.twitter.com/ZjiqiWXKrj</a></p>&mdash; SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/632161008987967490">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

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But he also signed a 4 year contract extension with a no trade clause, $83.25 million in new money and $65 million in guarantees. That guaranteed money is the most ever given out in the NFL.

9) Chicago Bears' fans, the Lions' Ameer Abdullah has been having a very impressive camp so far and he did this in their first preseason game.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They call him <a href="https://twitter.com/Ameerguapo">@Ameerguapo</a>.&#10;And he&#39;s every Fantasy GM&#39;s sleeper pick in 2015.&#10;&#10;Watch him work and you&#39;ll know why. <a href="http://t.co/iHXnxG7uBm">http://t.co/iHXnxG7uBm</a></p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/632193725960093696">August 14, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Here's what New York Jets' head coach Todd Bowles said about Adbullah.

"He looked like he did in college," Bowles said. "He's quick as a cat. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back and we have to go take our shot and we have to attack the inside out of a leverage and he made us miss today."

I get that the optimism is high for every team during this time of year, but if the Lions have a legit home run threat at tailback, they could be a scary team.

10) Did you happen to catch Spotrac's contract forecast for Bears' 2016 free agent Matt Forte? They broke down his rushing and receiving production, compared him with his peers and came up with a possible contract offer of 3 years, $27.8 million with $13 guaranteed.

When you think about how important he's been to the Bears during his career and considering his relative good health, I think this would be a good offer.

11!) If you play fantasy football, be sure to check out SB Nations's 2015 Fantasy Draft Guide.