The Canadian Press
TORONTO — After a flurry of quarterback signings, the debate of the off-season in Montreal has already gotten started: Will Johnny Manziel be the Alouettes’ starter in 2019?
Manziel’s first season in the three-down game has been quite the adventure, from a blockbuster trade to throwing four picks in his debut to losing his starting job altogether.
The 25-year-old has played well since reclaiming the top job, completing 65.8 per cent of his passes, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt and throwing four touchdowns with just three interceptions over five starts.
Most recently, Manziel threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in a half of action, picking up his first CFL win, 40-10 over the Toronto Argonauts.
Still, questions about Manziel’s future refuse to go away. The Als have indicated a full-fledged quarterback controversy is in the works for 2019, signing Jeff Mathews, Antonio Pipkin and Vernon Adams Jr. to extensions. Matthew Shiltz is also in the plans for next season.
Meanwhile, Manziel’s contract has just one more season. Lurking in the minds of the front office has to be whether Manziel has any intent to return beyond his current two-year contract.
Has the Als’ pivot earned the starting job in 2019? The writers weigh in with the latest from The Weekly Say:
Has Johnny Manziel earned the starting QB job in 2019?
Johnny Manziel had his best game in the CFL in Week 20, leading the Als to a 40-10 win over Toronto (The Canadian Press)
Marshall Ferguson: I think so, Montreal doesn’t seem to.
Jim Morris: Yes, for now. Who else do the Alouettes have at this moment? That doesn’t mean Montreal won’t sign someone over the winter and Manziel will have to prove himself in training camp again.
Jeff Krever: Yes. The progression from week to week is obvious, and the Alouettes are a better team when he’s behind centre. He’s definitely the most talented QB in the room. If he can have a quiet off-season, stay out of trouble and say all the right things, this shouldn’t even be a debate.
Jamie Nye: NO! There is nothing in Manziel’s game that warrants the No. 1 job to be handed to him. He’ll have to show up to camp and look much better and have a better control of the offence. You still see rookie mistakes from Manziel that lead to turnovers. The competition right now isn’t that stiff.. I think they’re all on the same level but this can’t be Johnny’s job to lose. He has to earn it.
Don Landry: No he has not. He’s earned a spot on the roster is all. Antonio Pipkin has just as strong a claim and there should be a camp battle to decide who’s number one.
Matthew Cauz: No, not even close. Hard to have faith in Manziel when the Alouettes organization had already planned on giving reps to Antonio Pipkin (who signed a two-year extension the other day) in the second half against the Argonauts. He still has a chance to be the full-time starter, but as of now ain’t nothing guaranteed.
Who’s the early favourite to win the Eastern Semi-Final?
Jeremiah Masoli leads the Ticats into a home playoff game against the BC Lions (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Morris: I think home-field advantage will be the difference for the Ticats. Hamilton lost by three in Vancouver and won by 30 at home the next week. I pick Tiger-Cats by 10 points.
Ferguson: Hamilton, 4.5 points.
Landry: Hamilton by 3. Traditionally, the Lions have not fared well coming East for the playoffs. There’s just something about that 1 p.m. ET starting time.
Cauz: The Brandon Banks injury makes me lean BC Lions but Hamilton has a better record against .500 teams than the Lions so I’ll go with Hamilton by a field goal.
Krever: Hamilton, 2.5 points. The Lions have struggled in the East. The Ticats are trying to find their way without Brandon Banks. Too close to call, though an Ottawa-Hamilton final feels like destiny.
Nye: Last time the Lions arrived in Hamilton they got spanked 40-10. Jonathon Jennings was bad, they had no run game and Brandon Banks scored two touchdowns. Lulay is back, Tyrell Sutton has added a big boost at running back and Brandon Banks is out. Add in a little more chemistry with DeVier Posey, I think the Lions will be right in it with the Tiger-Cats. I’ll likely pick BC to win, but if I’m running a line at a Vegas casino, I’m thinking the Tiger Cats are the favourite at 2.5.
Who should Ed Hervey call to be the Lions’ next coach?
Hiring a new head coach will be at the top of Ed Hervey’s off-season agenda in BC (CFL.ca)
Landry: Orlondo Steinauer. Of course, that’s assuming the Ticats don’t first elevate him to their top job.
Morris: I’d be calling Mark Washington. His defence is the biggest reason the Lions are in the playoffs. But I’m not Hervey and I think he will look outside the organization and clean house among the coaches.
Nye: You have to start with long time assistant Mark Washington out of respect but I’d go to Scott Milanovich. It may be the longest of shots because he’s in the NFL with Jacksonville, but there aren’t a lot of Grey Cup Champion coaches lingering around. Corey Chamblin is another, who is now down at University of Arkansas. Milanovich had some successful years in Toronto with a wild ownership situation as well as practice facilities all over the place and still made it work.
Krever: I’m picking up the phone and calling DeVone Claybrooks immediately (at least, as soon as the Stamps give me permission). Not only are you getting one of the most energetic young coaching minds in the CFL, you’re also taking a major branch off the John Hufnagel coaching tree. Claybrooks and Hervey would take the league by storm.
Cauz: I’m going the easy cheat code with Calgary Stampeders quarterback coach Ryan Dinwiddie. Yeah sure, Bo Levi Mitchell had a couple stinker games, but he also is leading the league in touchdown passes and is fourth in yardage despite a revolving door of receivers.
Ferguson: Mike Benevides.
