Johnny Manziel’s preseason debut in the Canadian Football League had a little bit of everything: some vintage Manziel, both good and bad, as well as some trash talk and intrigue.
The former NFL quarterback was on the field for 23 plays for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in their 36-18 loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
He didn’t start, however, as that distinction went to Jeremiah Masoli, who coach June Jones said would “absolutely” be the first-stringer at the beginning of the regular season.
In the preseason outing, Masoli completed 8-of-13 passes for 115 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while Manziel finished with 9-of-11 completions for 80 yards.
He didn’t throw two interceptions, but Manziel did lose a fumble on a sack in his first drive and failed to lead the Tiger-Cats to any points during his time under centre.
And yet, he still had moments where he flashed his arm talent and ability with his legs, including an 8-yard run on an option at the end of the first half and a 21-yard dart to Damarr Aultman on his final drive, in which he scrambled out of the pocket and delivered an accurate throw on the run.
Vintage Manziel on this play. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/dyAFwGEgsV
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) June 2, 2018
Near the end of that same drive, he was called for intentional grounding after it was determined his throw didn’t reach the line of scrimmage. Manziel was incensed about the call afterwards and while he exaggerated how poor of a decision it was, he at least appeared to be invested in a preseason game that, in the grand scheme of things, meant very little.
“Worst call of the century,” Manziel said of the intentional grounding. “I mean, my whole life I’ve been taught to throw it right at the stick that’s marking the down. I thought I got it there; he told me I was about a yard short. That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
Manziel also delivered another notable soundbite when he spoke on the trash talk he engaged in with some of the Argonauts players.
“Listen, I’m not here to be pushed over,” he said. “You can come at me because my name’s in the papers, because my name’s on TV. You can come at me [but] I’m not backing down. I’m here for a reason. I’m here to play ball. I’m not gonna be treated like s***.”
Johnny Manziel wants the entire @CFL to know he doesn't plan on backing down from anybody. pic.twitter.com/wY4fSsPXtT
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) June 2, 2018
Performance-wise, Manziel didn’t play his best game and look like a can’t-miss quarterback that should be in the NFL instead of plying his trade north of the border. He was efficient with his throws, but also displayed happy feet in the pocket as he looked to scramble more often than he should have.
But maybe more importantly, Manziel appeared to be engaged in, again, a meaningless preseason game, even if it was his first showcase in the CFL. That’s an encouraging sign for a player who has a history of losing his focus on football and getting caught up in the wrong things outside of the game.
Manziel will get his second chance to impress in the preseason when the Tiger-Cats meet Montreal next weekend.
