Will Johnny be good? Unlikely
Johnny Manziel is the third U.S. College Heisman Trophy quarterback to come to play in the CFL. Terry Baker (Oregon State) suited up with the Eskimos briefly in 1967 but was a bust. Toronto Argo quarterback Joe Theismann took the Argonauts to the 1971 Grey Cup game, losing to Calgary, advertised himself as “Theismann as in Heismann” but he didn’t win the 1970 award, Jim Plunkett did. Doug Flutie won it in 1984 and went on to win six CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards and three Grey Cups.
Three running backs who won the Heisman found their way north; Billy Vessels with the Eskimos in 1953, Montreal’s “Ordinary Superstar” Johnny Rodgers in 1975 and Ricky Williams, 1998 with Toronto.
Chosen by the hapless Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft, Manziel was dubbed Johnny Football. In two seasons with the NFL team, he was notorious for substance abuse and domestic violence issues. This Peck’s bad boy was also a notorious flop on the field. He was released in 2016.
Rumours began to circulate months ago that Manziel was looking north to get his career back on track. Toronto media ran with it, turning out more hot air and malarky than the recent Ontario election. This would be the great saviour of the Tiger-Cats, the man who would give the CFL status in the eyes of the NFL. These same media types from the Centre of the Canadian Universe believe nothing good happens in Canadian sports if it isn’t validated by ESPN or Sports Illustrated. The NFL, by the way, has a deep appreciation for the CFL and has adopted many aspects of our game.
So, a ridiculous amount of media attention throughout training camp and pre-season was about the new saviour, Johnny Manziel. Cat head coach June Jones said the former Texas Tech star could be, not only the next Flutie, but the best to ever play the Canadian game.
How do you think veteran Hamilton quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has felt through all this? Everybody, except his family, including his coach, are expecting and waiting for him to fall flat on his face. Eastern pundits anxiously awaited the regular season opener in Calgary last Saturday, hoping the saviour would play. They were disappointed as Masoli performed well in their 28-14 loss to the host Stampeders. Hamilton, by the way, hasn’t won in Calgary since 2004.
His Cats were actually leading 11-9 after three quarters. Calgary outscored them 19-3 in the final frame. After spending 45 minutes overthrowing receivers, Bo Levi Mitchell began to click. Still, look at the stats: Jeremiah Masoli, 25/36, 344 yards 69.4 per cent efficiency, one interception, no TDs versus Bo Levi Mitchell 17/36, 297 yards, 47.2 per cent, one pick, one TD. At this point, the Stampeders are the more talented team. But Masoli got the most out of the hand he was dealt. He’s a good quarterback and his team’s best hope.
How will Johnny Football do?
I suspect not well. College passing stats are misleading. Most of his completions were of the short yardage variety while on the run. In pro football, the quarterback works with multiple receivers, each who has at least three options. Before the ball is snapped, he has to make sure the receivers are reading the defence the same way he is and make an immediate adjustment. Sometimes his primary and secondary receivers are covered and he has to look for No. 3 and 4. Manziel didn’t have to do that in college.
NFL experts say he can’t pass. That caused his premature departure from the NFL more than his off-season troubles with wine, women and the sheriff. The NFL will overlook a myriad of sins if a player is a legitimate starting quarterback. If he is going to have a successful career in the CFL it will be obvious as soon as he gets a chance to play. A lot of people think it will take time for Manziel to learn the Canadian game and he might not see action as a starter until next season. Wrong. All the successful quarterbacks over the years — Russ Jackson, Warren Moon, Jeff Garcia, Mike Riley, et cetera — immediately showed signs they were going to be good when they got their opportunity.