‘Focused’ Manziel making positive first impression with fellow Ticats
Starting-from-scratch quarterback learns at his own pace during CFL training camp
Though he is not yet participating fully in drills with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, quarterback Johnny Manziel is catching long looks in the initial days of his first Canadian Football League training camp.
All in a positive view.
“The first impression is that he is a humble guy who is willing to be a team guy,” Ticats assistant head coach Orlondo Steinauer said on Monday.
“He is paying attention, he is alert in meetings, I see his notebook open. I see teammates rallying, I see him supporting teammates, I see quarterbacks supporting him. He is focused.”
Manziel, who was not made available to media on Monday, again did not take part in drills involving the defence. It’s to be expected, as his knowledge of the game will come at a pace that is allowed to unfold naturally, not forced. Between official team meetings and when they’re not on the field, the six quarterbacks in Ticats camp are using virtual reality headsets to keep on top of every play that is being made. As much as it’s a valuable learning tool for all, it should help Manziel get that much better accustomed with the Canadian game.
“Johnny will be able to take all the reps through the virtual (headset) from behind the huddle,” Hamilton head coach June Jones said. “It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. As he turns, he can see who he is reading, the lane where the ball has to go. It’s like more repetitions.”
For Jones, it’s one aspect of getting Manziel to the level to which the Ticats think the starting-from-scratch quarterback can rise. There is confidence in what Jeremiah Masoli can accomplish as the starter, but the Johnny Manziel who can use all of his strengths properly is the one who will help the Ticats most, whether it’s one who pushes Masoli or eventually takes over as the No. 1 QB.
Of course, the Ticats’ preparation started before Manziel was signed. Jones has had a pretty good idea for the past several weeks that Manziel would become a Tiger-Cat before it became official on Saturday. In Jones’ offence, there is plenty of room for Manziel to blossom.
“I went and took every pass Johnny threw in the NFL, (with) four wide receivers or three wides and a tight end, and I put them all on one reel,” Jones said. “Guess what he looked like? Just like he was at Texas A&M.
“Put him in what he has done. Let him run what he does and go play football. That’s kind of what is going to happen here.”
That Manziel is going to be given plenty of time to get on the same page with his new teammates is clear. The Ticats put too much work into getting Manziel’s signature on a contract for the opposite — a rash decision based on a short period of evaluation — to unfold.
Let him run what he does and go play football. That’s kind of what is going to happen here.
“Talking to people who have known him a long time … we have done an exhaustive vetting of him over the last year and a bit and talked to an incredible amount of people who have worked with him, known him,” Tiger-Cats CEO Scott Mitchell said.
“He certainly has a chance to be an impactful player. As talented as Johnny is, it’s going to take a while for him to feel great about this game and get himself ready to play.”
Other than taking part in the Spring League last month in Texas, Manziel had not played in a game since the 2015 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Despite Manziel’s inactivity, his skills have been evident at Ron Joyce Stadium on the campus of McMaster University.
“Good accuracy, good speed,” Ticats receiver Luke Tasker said. “He seems like a guy who can tempo the ball in on a short route, not make it overly hard to catch.
“I think it’s obvious, his physical capabilities, I’m sure it’s more mental that is going to be the challenge because he has a lot of playbook to go through.”