Manziel, Pipkin brush aside rivalry as Alouettes prepare for Ottawa
‘My pressure is to make sure we play the right quarterback,’ Sherman says
The two players competing to be the Alouettes’ starting quarterback insist there’s no rivalry between them.
Indeed, when Johnny Manziel was trying to get back into professional football two years ago, and Antonio Pipkin was preparing for the NFL draft, they worked out together daily in San Diego, under the tutelage of private quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr. at his training academy.
Little could they have known then that their paths would cross again in the Canadian Football League.
“It helps when you’ve known guys prior to being in the same competitive business. We’ve known each other and hung out,” Pipkin said Wednesday, following practice. “He’s a good guy. You want to see everybody succeed.
“The controversy thing is not in our room or locker at all. We support each other. We do everything we can to help each other. We have a good room.”
Manziel has missed the last two games after taking a vicious hit from Ottawa cornerback Jonathan Rose while attempting to score on Aug. 11. He was allowed to continue playing after passing the necessary concussion procedure, only to subsequently be placed under the league’s concussion protocol the following week.
He passed that protocol on Tuesday afternoon and will dress for Friday’s game at TD Place against the Redblacks, although head coach Mike Sherman hasn’t declared who will start.
It became clear throughout this week’s workouts the Als will continue to ride the hot hand of Pipkin, who passed for 303 yards in Montreal’s victory at home last Friday against Toronto. That win ended a six-game losing streak, leaving the Als with a 2-8 record. Ottawa, coming off a bye week, is 6-3 and leads the East Division.
“The one that takes the first snap of the game’s going to be the starter,” Sherman quipped before stating using both QBs could be an option.
Manziel, meanwhile, spoke to the Montreal media for the first time on Wednesday since the 2417 loss to Ottawa — a game in which he completed 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards, while rushing for 36 yards on three carries.
Although Manziel, a former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round NFL draft choice, said he’s unsure how many concussions he has suffered throughout his pro and collegiate career — an alarming statement — he exonerated both Rose and any medical or league personnel who allowed him back onto the field. He said this was the first time he’s missed this much time due to a head injury.
“It was a good hit. It’s unfortunate I had to miss two games,” he said. “During the game, we went through the protocol. I felt fine . ... I said this multiple times — I felt like I started to see some symptoms days after.
“It’s easy to sit back and look at the film and say you should have slid at the one-yard line,” he continued. “I’ve played football my entire life and come across a lot of situations like that. It hasn’t played out like that in the past.”
Manziel wouldn’t provide details surrounding his recovery and said the symptoms began deteriorating at the beginning of last week. Nonetheless, he was advised he was unlikely to play against the Argonauts, and he didn’t attend practice until the day before the game.
While his on-field workouts have been limited, Manziel insisted his conditioning hasn’t wavered and he’ll be prepared to play this week.
“This is football season and we’re professionals. We need to take care of our bodies and make sure you’re in a position to play,” he said. “That never changes for me, especially during the season.
“I feel good,” Manziel added.
“This has been a longer and slower process than I’ve been accustomed to. It’s definitely been frustrating. I definitely want to play. I’m itching and eager to get back.”
Manziel said Pipkin played well throughout his two starts. He claimed he was “proud” of his fellow pivot.
“We needed a win last week and we got one. I think we have a really good unit in the QB room, no matter who plays.”
While Vernon Adams, who is on the six-game injured list, said he was only keeping the starter’s job temporarily immediately after Manziel’s arrival in a trade from Hamilton, Pipkin has refused to look over his shoulder at Manziel’s looming and formidable shadow.
“I’m just trying to win another game,” Pipkin said. “Anything that comes from (that) is outside pressure, trying to create controversy. We support each other. We’re just trying to stack wins.”
And, although the organization has placed much of its future on Manziel — relinquishing two future first-round draft choices as part of the deal — Sherman maintains no edict has been placed on him to play the fan favourite.
“I haven’t felt that pressure from anybody,” Sherman said. “My pressure is to make sure we play the right quarterback to help us win a game. That’s the only pressure I ever feel.
“John’s healthy. That’s a good thing. Pip had a really good game last week. We’re very happy with his performance. We’ll have to wait and see.”
You want to see everybody succeed. The controversy thing is not in our room or locker at all. We support each other. ANTONIO PIPKIN