Austin isn’t ducking Manziel questions
Kent Austin can’t escape the inevitable questions surrounding Johnny Manziel and whether he will play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Austin arrived in Banff, Alta., site of the CFL’s annual GM meetings, and the hot-button topic is immediately raised.
To his credit, Austin hasn’t avoided the issue. Hamilton has a bargaining chip that can be turned into a valuable item if the right circumstance presents itself.
With all the league’s top football officials in Banff, Austin has a chance to exchange ideas aimed at making the game better, field questions and even test the waters to see if there’s a suitor for Manziel’s rights.
Like any negotiation list player, Manziel’s rights can be traded. But he is no ordinary player.
Manziel’s representative, Erik Burkhardt, imposed an artificial deadline of Jan. 31, for the Ticats to determine just how Manziel fits into their plans, and what kind of money they’re prepared to spend. Essentially, he’s put a gun to the head of the Ticats.
“I’ve established a previous relationship with Erik over this period of time,” Austin said. “Like I’ve said, he’s been very transparent, very straightforward, very honest. And I appreciate that.”
Given the circus surrounding the Ticats’ last season with the Art Briles hiring/firing fiasco, no one should expect Manziel to play for Hamilton.
The most likely landing spot appears to be Montreal.
Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is the new face of Ticats football and, if anything, the team may want to pursue a veteran to back up Masoli, who flourished under Austin’s sideline replacement, June Jones.
Burkhardt said he and Manziel have gone to Hamilton to meet with CEO Scott Mitchell and Jones. And so the game goes on, likely to continue until the Als make an offer.
No team is in need of a quarterback more than Montreal and no team needs a gate attraction or attention more, which is what Manziel would bring.