Manziel

[Neely2005]

Manziel released:

https://www.cfl.ca/2019/02/27/alouettes-release-johnny-manziel/

[gilthethrill]

I suspect Johnny wanted out of Canada so he pulled some kind of stunt in order to be released. Coming soon to the AAF, Johnny Football. At least I was able to see him play live last season at BMO... #ComebackSZN.

[mchesher03]

sounds like the league stepped in and pressed Montreal's hand in terms of releasing him. What for exactly? Let the speculation begin.

[R.J]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Montreal Alouettes announced on Wednesday that the organization has been directed by the <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CFL</a> to terminate the player contract of international quarterback Johnny Manziel. More info : <a href="https://t.co/jKFbOrgsxA">https://t.co/jKFbOrgsxA</a></p>&mdash; Alouettes de Montréal (@MTLAlouettes) <a href="https://twitter.com/MTLAlouettes/status/1100834562165362693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Manziel was bound to leave the CFL sooner rather than later, so.... meh. Rumblings that whatever Manziel did, he did so to get out of his CFL contract.
Gotta love how this looks on Kavis Reed and Andrew Wetenhall lol.

[ArgoGabe22]

Manziel wanted out so instead of the team releasing him, they thought it’d look better if they banned him. Or he purposely violated his terms as a way to get out.

[Skilz]

I suspect Johnny wanted out of Canada so he pulled some kind of stunt in order to be released. Coming soon to the AAF, Johnny Football. At least I was able to see him play live last season at BMO... #ComebackSZN.

Watching Manziel play in the CFL, I doubt he plays any better in either of the new start up leagues. Furthermore, if those leagues even continue to exist in a couple of years - I doubt the NFL has any room for "has been".

Interestingly enough however, if you are Travis Lulay or Kevin Glenn - you might be licking your chops for another Starters opportunity at QB.

[R.J]

Watching Manziel play in the CFL, I doubt he plays any better in either of the new start up leagues. Furthermore, if those leagues even continue to exist in a couple of years - I doubt the NFL has any room for "has been".

Interestingly enough however, if you are Travis Lulay or Kevin Glenn - you might be licking your chops for another Starters opportunity at QB.
I suppose it could happen, but I think Kavis and Sherman are comfortable for whatever reason going into training camp with Adams Jr, Mathews, Pipkin, Richard, and Shiltz.

[Neely2005]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement from Johnny Manziel&#39;s agent: <br><br>&quot;Johnny decided to end his contract with the CFL. Johnny did not break any laws or violations, he is just more interested in playing in the AAF and a more &quot;NFL&quot; style of football to better his chances of playing in the NFL</p>&mdash; Richard Tator (@RealDickTator) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDickTator/status/1100844046593998849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Neely2005]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When asked about his time in the CFL he stated<br><br>&quot;... it was not a complete waste of time, but it&#39;s a different game, different speed. I am 100% confident I will come in the AAF and dominate. I&#39;ve been watching them and most of the players are scrubs&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JohnnyManziel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JohnnyManziel</a></p>&mdash; Richard Tator (@RealDickTator) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDickTator/status/1100836879417688064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[ArgoGabe22]

^ Parody account, Neely.

[Wobbler]

I think Montreal might have overpaid for Manziel.

[john]

I think Montreal might have overpaid for Manziel.

they took a shot
didn't work out
manziel is an a-hole

[R.J]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I want to thank Coach Sherman, my teammates, and the CFL fans. My time there reestablished my love for the game of football and the work that goes into it. I look forward to exploring new options within the United States.</p>&mdash; Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JManziel2/status/1100857252230000640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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As I stated in the CFL Room thread, he was already looking at the other U.S League's.

[argolio]

My money is on him purposely violating his contract.

Just think, that could have been us.

[jerrym]

This was always the big risk with Manziel. I was against the Argos signing him from the beginning. In addition, I can't see the NFL being interested in signing him this year after his performance last year with Montreal. He still had a long way to go in development in this league, let alone the NFL. He was also owed a$75,000 bonus on March 1st, so if violated the contract to head south he also threw $75,000 away. His contract was also going to pay him $202,000 in base salary in 2019, more than what he would get in the AAF where players earn $75,000 this year, which is in the same range as what the XFL that restarts in 2020. Looks like this could be a case of Manziel being Manziel.

[matthew]

League won't allow teams to offer contract so we can close this thread. Amazing that he puts forth a veiled slag against our league in this post and an overt one about the league he appears to be going to.

[john]

League won't allow teams to offer contract so we can close this thread. Amazing that he puts forth a veiled slag against our league in this post and an overt one about the league he appears to be going to.

manziel only cares about manziel

[AngeloV]

This was always the big risk with Manziel. I was against the Argos signing him from the beginning. In addition, I can't see the NFL being interested in signing him this year after his performance last year with Montreal. He still had a long way to go in development in this league, let alone the NFL. He was also owed a$75,000 bonus on March 1st, so if violated the contract to head south he also threw $75,000 away. His contract was also going to pay him $202,000 in base salary in 2019, more than what he would get in the AAF where players earn $75,000 this year, which is in the same range as what the XFL that restarts in 2020. Looks like this could be a case of Manziel being Manziel.

I don't think Manziel will ever be back in the NFL and it has nothing to do with his ability or performance. I really believe he wasted a great opportunity to have a decent career up here.

[gilthethrill]

I don't think Manziel will ever be back in the NFL and it has nothing to do with his ability or performance. I really believe he wasted a great opportunity to have a decent career up here.

I can't help but wonder what kind of poor advice he is receiving from his agent.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

It appears as though Manziel intentionally broke one of the conditions of his instatement in order to pursue options in the US. If this is the case it once again shows the lack of integrity and me first and foremost attitude that he has become known for. I’m sure this will impress the brass at the AFF and XFL. As a diehard fan of the CFL I wish him well but personally I’m glad to see the back of him and think we are better off without him. Goodbye Johnny, don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

[AngeloV]

I can't help but wonder what kind of poor advice he is receiving from his agent.

I don't think this one is on his agent. I'm guessing after thinking about things, he may not have appreciated the conditions the league put on him. Other players with checkered (in fact far worse) pasts have come up here and been giving second chances without these conditions. In a way, I really don't blame him if that is the reason. I wish things worked out better for him up here. The initial buzz was big, and had he been able to attain success, it could have been huge for the Als franchise.

[Antwon]

Good riddance! The guy was never going to put the time and effort in to be a professional QB.
Montreal must have known this was coming, now it makes sense he had the 'flu' when he missed the uniform launch.

[R.J]

https://3downnation.com/2019/02/28/johnny-manziel-skipped-meetings-required-by-the-cfl-sources/

According to sources, when the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was negotiating his contract with the Ticats last spring, Manziel wanted the ability to take a shot at the NFL after one CFL season. The league did not have an option year window in place at the time – it was re-added last August – and would not allow the stipulation into his contract.

But Manziel knew that by not going to mandatory doctors visits, required lithium tests or meeting a therapist once a week – conditions of the agreement he revealed to USA Today last June – would potentially force the CFL to void it. Essentially, Manziel had an out clause if he wanted it.

Supposedly, Manziel skipping the Als jersey launch didn't sit well with the League and Als either. He wanted out, Kavis confirmed that yesterday.

[Argo57]

Manziel thought he’d come to our little league, dominate then leave for the NFL.
Strange thing happened when he started to play last season, he suddenly realized that the talent in the CFL is indeed top notch and things wouldn’t be very easy at all.
Personally it was apparent very early that the talent certainly didn’t match the hype.
So glad the Argonauts stayed clear of this fiasco.

[argonaut11xx]

I don't think this one is on his agent. I'm guessing after thinking about things, he may not have appreciated the conditions the league put on him. Other players with checkered (in fact far worse) pasts have come up here and been giving second chances without these conditions. In a way, I really don't blame him if that is the reason. I wish things worked out better for him up here. The initial buzz was big, and had he been able to attain success, it could have been huge for the Als franchise.

And the league, Angelo.

I really wanted JM to succeed for the CFL, and the AL's.

Sadly its another Vince Ferragamo/Major Harris/ et all.

With all these other league starting up, this could have been a boon for the CFL.

[OV Argo]

And the league, Angelo.

I really wanted JM to succeed for the CFL, and the AL's.

Sadly its another Vince Ferragamo/Major Harris/ et all.

With all these other league starting up, this could have been a boon for the CFL.

Yep - another all-american super-hero saviour for a CFL team that proves an over-hyped bust (Andre Ware could be added to that QB club).

Is what it is and i guess will continue when the opportunities present (Popp signed Ochocinco & Michael Sam to the Als fairly recently and they proved a total waste of time too) - in the good ole CFL.

Too bad /kinda sad that some CFL teams don't see any value in hyping top notch Canadian talent for their teams - to create interest or sell tickets - nothing there i guess; to typical GOBs running CFL teams. The Als could try to hype the signing of QB Hugo Richard - top notch QB talent who has been a 5 year star for Laval - a big Quebec football machine/powerhouse; give an all-star, Vanier winning QB a real shot to make their team and hope a lot of La Belle Province big football fans take notice; they could also draft (might have to deal to move up some after getting fleeced for Manziel) one of the several outstanding young Quebec product talents up this draft (DE Betts of Laval (if he does not get serious NFL interest) or a couple of the top receiver prospects from US college ball - MacInnis (Arkansas State) or Mayala (U Conn) - are also Quebec native/ ball products) - and hope they can be impact players; Worth a shot IMO - i doubt Mavis or the Wet&all clowns have a clue there though.

The RedBlacks have a chance to go there this CFL draft too - take Ottawa area product QB Michael O'Connor for their desperate QB situation; or draft outstanding GGs DB Jamie Harry for their D-backfield in need of help situation; i doubt Desjardins has much clue there either - aside from building good O-line talent via the draft (pretty standard CFL thinking), he has been a real myopic otherwise with his drafting (and why did he let the Ticats sign Carleton product Tunde Adeleke as FA instead of nabbing him for the RedBlacks - bet this guy would have loved the chance to play in Ottawa?)

Maybe a lot of CFL fans can look forward instead to some other ex-NFL or all-american college ball heroes being signed into the CFL. Doesn't seem much interest or hype are in the cards for top notch Canadian talent in the good ole CFL - lack of respect for or knowledge of this talent = who gives a rat's @$$ - the CFL really doesn't IMO; Thank gawd Randy's on his amazing 2.0 game though.