Manziel miffed at being benched

Alouettes quarterback Johnny Manziel returned to practice Thursday for the first time in four days, then expressed his frustration over not playing more.

“They had a lot of faith in me the first couple of weeks,” Manziel said. “Not getting to play once I’ve been back, it’s been frustrating. I felt there was a lot of hope and faith in me to be the guy here. How quickly that’s changed in two weeks.”

Manziel practised with the team Sunday, but missed three days with the flu. This comes after he was sidelined two games with a concussion. He has since been replaced as the team’s starter by Antonio Pipkin, who has led Montreal to two wins in three games.

Manziel was acquired from Hamilton in July, then started two games, both losses, against the Tiger-Cats at home and at Ottawa on Aug 11.

He was intercepted four times by his former team.

The Als traded two players and two future first-round draft choices as part of the package to secure the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“They traded half of an organization, I feel, in terms of what they gave up to get me here,” Manziel said. “I’d think I’d get a chance to come in here and still play. That’s where it’s a little bit lost on me. I felt I was brought in here to be a piece. I hope this organization hasn’t lost faith in my ability to play.”

The Als host the B.C. Lions Friday night. Manziel is expected to dress and said he would be available to play, if necessary, although Pipkin remains the starter.

Pipkin wasn’t supposed to be this good and he wasn’t throughout training camp. That’s why the team released him in late June, only to repatriate the 23-year-old in early August due to injuries.