Jones, Ticats ready to take snaps that count
HAMILTON — Johnny Manziel says he’s ready to take his first snaps in the CFL.
The former Heisman Trophy winner is second on the Ticats’ depth chart but, surprising to no one, was once again the topic du jour following the team’s Thursday walkthrough. But while all eyes are fixated on No. 2, and a large turnout expected at Tim Hortons Field for Friday’s pre-season game vs. the Argos, Manziel is showing no signs of any pre-game jitters.
“No nerves,” said Manziel. “There’s no pressure on myself right now. I don’t have to come up here and prove anything in the first pre-season game. I just have to come out and play ball. That’s all I’m doing.”
Spring League aside, Friday will mark Manziel’s first professional game since playing with the Cleveland Browns in 2015. He’ll have to wait, first, as Jeremiah Masoli finishes up his first-team reps, but Manziel will be next in line.
Head Coach June Jones has emphasized a clear pecking order with his top two pivots, then will ‘flip a coin’ to decide whether Dane Evans or Bryant Moniz plays next.
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Johnny Manziel is listed second on the Ticats’ depth chart behind Jeremiah Masoli (Kevin Sousa/CFL.ca)
Vernon Adams Jr. will not play Friday night after nursing an injury and sitting out practice until Wednesday.
“Masoli’s going to play until I feel good about it, then the rest of the game will be whatever I decide and we’ll flip a coin to decide who goes in third and fourth,” said Jones.
Jones said he won’t need to see much of his incumbent starter after seeing plenty throughout the latter half of last year and then mini-camp this year.
The second-year head coach has praised Masoli throughout camp, while Masoli says he already feels comfortable going into his first pre-season game of the year.
“We just want to execute, be efficient,” said Masoli. “You always want to score but just take care of the ball, little things. Polish it before the season starts.”
When Masoli exits, that’s when things could get interesting. It’s what many of the fans who have already bought tickets to Friday’s pre-season game are anticipating, and the excitement over Manziel could be heard in Jones’ voice as well.
“That’s going to be fun for you guys and for me,” Jones told reporters. “I think he knows on some things and I think he’s still feeling his way on others, but he’s a football player and he makes plays, and hopefully he’ll do that [on Friday] night.”
While fans want to see big plays from one of the most celebrate college football players the planet has ever seen, Jones wants to see Manziel work through his base reads, going through his progressions one at a time.
For Manziel, meanwhile, it’s a chance to see what he’s learned so far. And most importantly, to play football again, and have fun doing it.
“This is the first time I get a chance to go out on a game day in the pre-season and go play,” said Manziel. “Now I get a chance to see another team’s defence, get a chance to see how other teams play our offence, and I get a chance to learn.
“We’re going to keep growing as the season goes on, but for me this is the first chance to get on the Canadian field and throw the ball around. It’s going to be fun just getting back out on the field.”
Kickoff arrives Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on TSN and ESPN+.
