Fansided

Johnny Manziel getting first start in CFL

By Adam Stocker

MONTREAL, QC - JULY 26: Montreal Alouettes Quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws the ball at warm-up before the Edmonton Eskimos versus the Montreal Alouettes game on July 26, 2018, at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JULY 26: Montreal Alouettes Quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws the ball at warm-up before the Edmonton Eskimos versus the Montreal Alouettes game on July 26, 2018, at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Montreal Alouettes announced that Johnny Manziel will get his first CFL start on Friday against his former team.

The Montreal Alouettes officially named Johnny Manziel their starting quarterback for the first time in his CFL career. The former Heisman Trophy winner will get the start on Friday night against his former team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Manziel was traded to Montreal along with offensive lineman Tony Washington and Landon Rice on July 22, for former all-stars Chris Williams, Jamaal Westerman and two first-round picks.

Friday’s game will be the first chance Manziel will have to show CFL fans and potential NFL scouts what he can do after flaming out of the NFL. Manziel has not played in the first seven weeks of the CFL season but did appear in both preseason games for Hamilton. In the preseason, Manziel completed 21 of 31 passes for 168 and a touchdown.

Manziel has only spent 13 days on the Alouettes roster, and it’s fair to wonder how much of the playbook he knows and will be able to execute. However, Manziel does go into Friday’s game with one advantage. Manziel spent training camp and the first five weeks of the season with Hamilton and should be used to seeing and going up against the Ticats defense.

While Manziel has stated that his goal is to get back to the NFL, he is contractually tied to the CFL until the end of the 2019 season. An awful first start will not end his NFL comeback attempt. Manziel should have the rest of the season to make an impression on NFL scouts.

The decision to switch quarterbacks and trade for Manziel was a desperation move for Montreal. Since the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo in 2013, the Alouettes have gone through 14 different starting quarterbacks. Manziel will be Montreal’s fifth different quarterback to play this season and fourth different starter. After missing the playoffs for the past three season, interest in the team has been at an all-time low. The decision to start Manziel will help increase attendance and overall interest in the struggling team.

Next. Vikings make smart gamble by extending Diggs. dark

Hamilton head coach June Jones repeatedly told the media that he believed Manziel had the skill set to be one of the best players in CFL history. Traditionally, smaller, mobile quarterbacks like Manziel, have been successful in the CFL. Tiger-Cats general manager Eric Tillman said his decision to trade Manziel came down to what was best for both Hamilton and Manziel. The duo of Jones and Tillman are hoping that the decision to trade Manziel does not instantly blow up in their faces. Despite strong play from quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, the Ticats have lost three straight games.

For fans looking to watch Manziel’s first start, Friday’s game will be broadcast in Canada on TSN, with the game being aired on ESPN 2 in the United States.

Home/CFL