The Associated Press
Berg vs. Ferg returns for another season on CFL.ca as columnists Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson debate over some of the league’s most contentious storylines. This week they weigh in on the Johnny Manziel debate and whether the Ticats should sign him.
The Johnny Football debate isn’t anything new in the CFL these days but after Wednesday’s news, it feels like it’s only just getting started.
The Ticats confirmed this week that they have worked out Manziel, the former Texas A&M star and Heisman Trophy Winner as college football’s most outstanding player, but also that no deal between the two sides is imminent.
MANZIEL WATCH
» Ticats confirm Manziel workout; no deal imminent
» Sanchez: Plenty of ‘ifs’ with Johnny Football
» Austin: ‘We’re not signing Johnny right now’
That doesn’t mean Manziel won’t end up in Hamilton but for now, is passing on the former first round NFL draft pick the right move?
Manziel joins the long list of past college star quarterbacks to pursue interests on this side of the border, from Eric Crouch and Chris Leak to Troy Smith. But many will argue that Johnny Football is different, from his skill-set, his star power and his past off-field issues to his suitability for the Canadian game.
While the 0-8 Ticats shift from Zach Collaros to Jeremiah Masoli on Labour Day, Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson debate whether Manziel should be part of the team’s plans under centre.
| BERG VS. FERG: LAST WEEK’S RESULTS |
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CFL.ca |
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Steinberg – 4,948 (79%) Ferguson – 1,340 (21%) |
Ferguson – 362 (58%) Steinberg – 262 (42%) |
Steinberg – 5,210 (75%) Ferguson – 1,702 (25%) |
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BERG (8-3): WHY SIGN MANZIEL… WHY NOT?
Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg
Theoretically, why wouldn’t the Hamilton Tiger-Cats take a flyer on Johnny Manziel? At 0-8, the Tiger-Cats literally have nothing to lose and are in a position where they can make decisions more competitive teams can’t. Hamilton sits last in offensive points scored, offensive touchdowns, passing touchdowns, passing yards, and rushing yards. To be closing doors at this point doesn’t make a ton of sense.
Of course, I’m not trying to suggest Manziel is the answer to Hamilton’s woes and that’s not why they worked him out a few days ago. But let’s call a spade a spade: Zach Collaros hasn’t struggled like he has this year since he started starting regularly in 2013. In fact, new Tiger-Cats’ head coach June Jones is starting backup Jeremiah Masoli this weekend against Toronto. This is a team in need of multiple options.
I know Manziel’s professional career to date has been disappointing and he fell far short of living up to the 22nd overall pick the Cleveland Browns used on him in 2014. However, numerous draft experts projected him as a first round pick and they had good reason to. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner had an extremely prolific and successful two-year stint at Texas A&M before turning pro and was one of the best quarterback prospects on the planet at that time. Sure, time has passed since then, but we aren’t talking about a player devoid of high-end natural talent.
Manziel made numerous mistakes leading up to and following the 2014 NFL Draft. Looking back, I really wonder if staying in college for at least one more year (he left after his sophomore season) would have paid huge dividends, for instance. Manziel’s missteps were extremely well publicized and any team signing him would be doing so with that baggage. However, people deserve second chances and Manziel has stated numerous times he’s turned over a new leaf.
Look, I don’t know if Manziel is a changed man or not and that is a giant risk associated with signing him. Because of his very public mistakes, Manziel brings a giant distraction with him to whatever team he plays for next. Oh, and I also really have no clue if he could get the on-field portion back on track.
Because of all that, there’s a decent chance signing Manziel wouldn’t work and of course I’m aware of that. But Hamilton is 0-8 and really doesn’t have a lot going for it right now. If there’s a team primed to think outside of the box, it’s the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
FERG (3-8): NOTORIETY DOESN’T WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh
No.
Simply no.
Names don’t win football games.
Notoriety doesn’t win championships.
Buzz can’t create the type of excitement in a CFL city that a team win born from contributions at every position on the depth chart can.
Johnny Manziel is a lot of things, but he is not a solution.
I honestly can’t believe I feel this way after being a high school fan of June Jones’ Hawaii offence and a university fan who refused to miss Manziel’s Texas A&M games. It should be a match made in offensive creativity and athleticism heaven.
It’s not.
The Tiger-Cats’ laundry list of positions to better equip before turning around this – or next – season includes boundary corner, both tackles on the offensive line, various receiver positions and improved national depth to avoid the multitude of substitution packages forced upon them early this season by a couple of injuries.
Bringing in a big name college quarterback who flamed out in the NFL for various on- and off-field reasons does not solve any of that. It doesn’t even improve the quarterback position.
When people beg for Manziel, they don’t wish for wins — they are longing for excitement.
Jeremiah Masoli has been named the starter for Labour Day. He once was a star NCAA quarterback at Oregon who provided large quantities of excitement to one of the best college football programs in America.
Sound familiar?
Masoli’s free-wheeling style is similar to that of Manziel. Both have the capability to run creative offences designed by some of the game’s top play-callers and both have the arm strength to make most, if not all throws on a CFL field.
Sound even more familiar? Take the colleges, names and background stories away, Masoli and Manziel suddenly don’t seem so different.
The difference is Masoli comes with no baggage. He is in shape. He does know the CFL in and out and most importantly he craves the opportunity to lead a huddle and team.
Can you honestly say the same about Johnny Manziel? Would he happily hold a clip board for years waiting for the chance to contribute? Would he willingly command the role of short yardage quarterback? Really ask yourselves those questions before you are blinded by his name and college accolades.
All Manziel has at this point in his football life is a name, a brand and a loyal yet unrealistic following.
Thank goodness that doesn’t win football games.
DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE!
While both sides are pretty convincing, someone’s got to take it. Whose argument convinced you the most?
You can vote for this week’s winner both on CFL.ca and Twitter. Meanwhile, continue the conversation by tweeting @Fan960Steinberg and @TSN_Marsh.
The winner will be revealed in the following week’s Berg vs. Ferg.
