Ticats clearly Masoli’s team now

If any existed beforehand, there’s no doubt now the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are Jeremiah Masoli’s team.

Hamilton made that emphatic statement Sunday night by dealing quarterback Johnny Manziel to the Montreal Alouettes as part of a five-player deal that also included two draft picks. The Ticats signed the former Heisman Trophy winner to a two-year deal amid much fanfare prior to training camp but after two exhibition appearances Manziel saw no regular-season action playing behind Masoli.

“I think it makes a statement to (Masoli) that he’s the guy,” said Ticats head coach June Jones, whose first move last year upon being named interim head coach was to promote Masoli to the starter’s role.

Masoli went 6-4 as Hamilton’s starter last year and had registered a record-tying nine straight 300-yard performances before last week’s 31-20 home loss to Saskatchewan. Masoli completed 20-of28 passes for just 184 yards and an interception, prompting chants from the Tim Hortons Field faithful for Manziel.

With Manziel gone, Masoli can work on righting an offence that’s scored one TD in nine quarters without looking over his shoulder. Masoli, for one, was surprised by Sunday’s trade.

“I didn’t see it coming,” he said. “That’s the business we’re in, that’s how it works.

“I definitely feel that vote of confidence and respect and it makes me feel good for sure. But at the same time we’re just focused on this, we’ve got to get the ball back rolling here on offence.”

Last December, Jones raised eyebrows when he said he felt Manziel could be the best player ever to come to the CFL. He didn’t back away from that assertion at all following practice Monday.

“I still think that,” Jones said. “I think he needs to get on the field to get himself back to playing football.

“I don’t think we were helping him, watching.”

Jones and the Ticats won’t have to wait long to see Manziel again. Hamilton visits Montreal on Aug. 3.