Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Will things be different in Johnny Manziel‘s second stint as a CFL starting quarterback?
The Als have made the call to go back to Manziel in Week 15, moving Antonio Pipkin to the bench and getting a second look at the quarterback they traded for back in the summer.
There’s no doubt all eyes will be on Manziel when the Als travel to Winnipeg on Friday night, but in his third career start, is he worth a look as a Fantasy starter at a salary of $6,000?
There were differing opinions on this week’s CFL Fantasy Podcast, with Hannah Nordman weighing in along with Pat Steinberg and Jeff Krever in a preview of Week 15:
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“I’m not considering him,” said Nordman. “The quarterback position is stressing me out after what happened last week. I had Pipkin, but most of the quarterbacks had a rough week so I need to zero in on someone more reliable.”
All three agree that Manziel will exceed his projected 10.78 total as slated by RotoExperts, but Steinberg remains skeptical of the Alouettes’ pivot, whose first two starts saw a combined 6.9 Fantasy points.
Manziel’s projected total ranks him last among starting quarterbacks for Week 15.
“It’s not like when he was playing he looked like a great Fantasy option,” said Steinberg. “Yes, in start No. 2 he looked a little bit more effective. But can you tell me what you saw in his second start showed he’s going to be a big-time Fantasy stalwart? I don’t think you can at this point.
“There are just better options, better matchups, better situations, more proven guys to put in your lineup.”
On the contrary, Krever said he’s strongly considering Manziel in his lineup, though acknowledging the risk involved.
“The thing I like about Manziel is his ability to run, and that’s big for me in a Fantasy quarterback,” said Krever. “That’s why I love Masoli so much. That’s why Mike Reilly‘s the top Fantasy quarterback. Trevor Harris and Bo Levi Mitchell are never going to be top Fantasy quarterbacks. They’re never going to do what a rushing quarterback can do.
“You’re not asking the guy to come out here and throw for 350 yards and four touchdown passes,” he added. “You’re asking him to run around and pick up 50, 60 rushing yards and score one or two on the ground — remember, those touchdowns are worth six points each.
“As far as the lower-cost options right now, I’m bigger on Johnny Manziel against the Bombers than I am on Jonathon Jennings against the top-ranked pass defence in the CFL, or McLeod Bethel-Thompson against the Riders.”
The podcast crew also debated over Zach Collaros and Matt Nichols, Duron Carter‘s first start against his former team, along with injury news, locks of the week and bargains in the latest from the CFL Fantasy Podcast.
