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Flashes of 'Johnny Football' surface as Manziel comeback marches on

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Just weeks after announcing he was taking his talents to Canada, Johnny Manziel made his CFL debut in Friday’s preseason game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts.

Former Oregon and Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli got the start for Hamilton, but Manziel took over with 3:36 remaining in the second quarter.

Johnny Football showed flashes of what made him a Heisman winner on his first drive, as he completed his first three passes for a total of 28 yards.

But he also showed why he’s been out of pro football for the last two years, as on a critical third down (there is no fourth down in the CFL), Manziel was sacked while trying to scramble out of the pocket, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Manziel started the second half, and his best drive of the game was his last.

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Manziel led the Ti-Cats on a 12-play, 62-yard drive. His best play of the game came on that drive:

Manziel avoided the pressure and scrambled to his right to extend the play. He then found an open Damarr Aultman, who hauled in the pass for a 21-yard gain and Manziel’s longest play of the game.

Unfortunately for Manziel, that would be the highlight of the drive, which ended in the aforementioned turnover on downs.

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In five total possessions, Manziel was able to move the ball, but none of his drives resulted in points. He finished the game nine-of-12 for 80 yards while also rushing for 10 yards and taking two sacks.

After the game, his coach was complimentary of his play, but also admitted that Manziel may be a step behind other players due to his late addition to the team.

“He did some good things,” said head coach June Jones, per USA Today. “He’s got a game presence about him as you know. He looked at the things, knew where he should throw the ball when he got the chance to. It just comes from not being here quite as long as the rest of the guys.”

Manziel’s legendary passion and intensity was also on display during his postgame news conference. He said he tried to help an opposing player off the pile only for the player to respond with “some foul stuff.”

That prompted Manziel to remind everyone that just because he’s a big name, he’s still not backing down from anyone.

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“Listen, I’m not here to be pushed over. You can come at me cause my name’s in the papers, because my name’s on TV, you can come at me. But I’m not backing down,” he said.

The Ti-Cats, who dropped their preseason opener to Toronto 36-18, will conclude their preseason schedule next Saturday with a road game against the Montreal Alouettes.

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Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009.
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009 and previously worked for ESPN, CBS and STATS Inc. A native of Louisiana, Ross now resides in Houston.
Location
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