Johnny Manziel is set to make his first start in the Canadian Football League this week against the very team that traded him less than ten days ago. According to reports, Manziel will play in his first CFL game, after six games as a backup, when his Montreal Alouettes take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday, August 3.
The 25-year old quarterback played in two preseason games for the Tiger-Cats but sat on the bench in favor of Jeremiah Masoli, who tied a CFL record with nine straight 300-yard passing games before the team's Week 5 bye, according to ESPN. On July 22, the Tiger-Cats traded Manziel (and offensive linemen Tony Washington and Landon Rice) to the Alouettes in exchange for defensive end Jamaal Westerman, wide receiver Chris Williams and two first-round draft picks (2020, 2021).
The trade reunited him with coach Mike Sherman, who recruited him to Texas A&M back in 2011. According to ESPN, Manziel said the following last week after the deal was announced.
"I've tempered my expectations to not reach too high," he said. "I want to come in and I want to play solid football. That's what I want to do. I realize there are going to be some growing pains to get there, because it is a process. I have been away from the game a little bit. I'm excited to get some reps, and I know I'm going to be putting in the time that I need to off the field to expedite that process."
The Alouettes, 1-5, are currently listed as 6.5-point underdogs against the 2-4 Tiger-Cats, according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
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