Quote Board: Manziel saying all the right things early

HAMILTON — Johnny Manziel made his first impression on the CFL world on Saturday, answering to reporters at his introductory press conference at Tim Hortons Field.

Always in the spotlight, the former Heisman Trophy-winner and first-round NFL Draft pick showed humility and said all the right things, from accepting his role as a backup to trying to earn the trust of his teammates.

Here are some of the best quotes from Saturday’s press conference:

Manziel on choosing the Ticats: “I’m very thankful that they’ve given me a second chance to come up here. I’m very self-aware of the situation and what it is. I’m going to have to earn my stripes up here. I’m going to have to work extremely hard to get what I want, and that’s to play at a high level.”

“On getting comfortable with the three-down game: “I don’t know a timetable on that. I know there is a learning curve for the poeple I’ve talked to. I’ve vetted this league out from a multiple of people — Doug Flutie, guys that play in the league right now whether it’s Derel Walker, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Fuller. I believe there is going to be a process, and one I’m going to put in a big amount of time to make sure that I have a second nature of everything.”


MORE ON MANZIEL
» Images: First look at Manziel in a Ticats jersey
» Jones: Masoli still starter; Manziel faces tough competition
» O’Leary: Manziel signing will create ripple effect
» Commissioner Ambrosie issues statement on Manziel
» Timeline: Tracing Manziel’s path to the CFL


On the creativity in the CFL: “I’m most excited knowing about what Coach Jones has done in college, the way his offence is set up fits what I like to do and with the way the field is set up, with the speed of the game and with the way you can be creative up here. The things I’ve heard is this is a very offensive-minded type of league, where you can come up with a lot of things and be creative with what you do offensively. I’m excited about that. The style of play fits nicely with what has been beneficial for me in the past.”

On long-term commitment: “I’m just excited to be another one of the guys. I know there are a lot of cameras around, but for me, I’m humbled to be here. This isn’t just a pit stop for me. I’m not just coming here to get what I need and go back to the NFL. I’ve signed into this for the long haul, for two years, and I’m here to make the most of it. Hopefully the guys give me a chance to come into the locker-room, meet everybody and see what kind of person I really am because what you hear sometimes isn’t always what it is in person.”

“I don’t know what two years down the road looks like for me. Maybe I come up here and I love it and I don’t want to go anywhere. At the end of the day I’ve played in the NFL, that’s what I’ve known but I’ve never played this game. Right now I’m in the CFL, I have this contract, I’m committed to this contract and this team.

On accepting the backup role: “One hundred per cent. [Being a starter immediately] is not what I’m coming here for. Obviously I want to play, as any quarterback does . . . But at the end of the day, there’s talent on this roster. I respect the guys we do have in our room. I understand there’s a learning curve. That I am going to have to take some time. I’m not coming out trying to make outlandish goals. I have very realistic goals to come in and learn the offence, learn the game and hopefully my talent will show. From there, like Coach Jones said, I feel like whoever gives this team the best opportunity to win, whatever case that may be, whatever day that may be, will come to fruition.”

Johnny Manziel says he’ll accept a backup quarterback role if that’s what the team needs (Kevin Sousa/CFL.ca)

On learning from past mistakes: “I’ve learned a lot through the mistakes. I feel I wouldn’t be where I am today on a personal level, on a football level, if I wouldn’t have gone through what I did go through. So I’m back to a point in my life where I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m happy with everything that’s going on at this table, wearing this shirt, being a part of this organization with a lot of history. Fifteen Grey Cup Championships. That’s all I want to do is come in and help this team win in whatever capacity that is, that’s all I care about.”

June Junes on Manziel’s learning curve: “Physically he’s obviously one of the more talented players that is in the room. There’s a whole lot more to playing quarterback than just that, obviously, and I’ve watched him since he was a sophomore in high school. He has the ability to play at any level he wants to play at and I think he’s ready to get that challenge done now and accomplish what he knows he can do. He’s got a lot to catch up on, but he’ll spend that time to get that done. I know he will, because he’s already learned that lesson.”

On the starting quarterback job:“Jeremiah’s our starter, and my feeling about the quarterbacks, as it always is, is they’re going to take enough reps and they’re going to be evaluated in the game. Johnny is going to be competitive as a player in this league, we already know that, that’s why we’ve gone through the protocol to get to this point. He’ll compete and competition makes everybody better. When I was in the NFL I wanted three quarterbacks that had started and played in the National Football League. You can’t have too many quarterbacks.”