The Hamilton Tiger-Cats never had the chance to see just how good Johnny Manziel could be in a regular-season game.
They'll find out Friday night.
The former Heisman Trophy winner will make his first CFL start when the Montreal Alouettes host Hamilton at Molson Stadium. Manziel made headlines in May when he signed with the Ticats, but never played a regular-season down with the club before being traded to the Als on July 24.
Hamilton sent Manziel and offensive linemen Tony Washington and Landon Rice to Montreal for Canadian defensive end Jamaal Westerman, receiver Chris Williams and 2020 and 2021 first-round picks. Manziel saw action in the Ticats' two exhibition games but remained on the sidelines as Jeremiah Masoli's backup once the regular season began.
Manziel becomes the fourth different starter and fifth quarterback overall to play for Montreal (1-5) this season. Starter Drew Willy and backup Jeff Mathews are on the injured list.
Vernon Adams Jr., released earlier this season by Hamilton, drew the start in last week's 44-23 home loss to Edmonton. Manziel watched from the sidelines as Adams went the distance, finishing 15-of-28 passing for 217 yards and an interception while running eight times for 72 yards and a TD in leading the Alouettes to a season-high scoring performance.
But Manziel assumes control of an offence that's last in the CFL in offensive yards (253.8 per game), rushing (68.8 yards), plays from scrimmage (293) and touchdowns (eight) and second-last in offensive points (14.8). Montreal also has allowed a league-high 23 sacks as the club hasn't fielded the same offensive line for two straight games this season.
And that trend will continue after Montreal dealt Canadian Ryan Bomben to the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday for defensive back T.J. Heath. Heath fills a need for the Alouettes with cornerback Mitchell White and defensive back Najee Murray both injured.
Montreal also is expected to have a new face in its receiving corps after acquiring three-time all-star Adarius Bowman last week from Winnipeg.
Hamilton (2-4), meanwhile, hasn't exactly set the CFL on fire lately on offence. Masoli has thrown for 300 yards in five games this season, but offensively the Ticats have scored just two touchdowns in their last three games.
And like Montreal, Hamilton comes in having lost three straight. The Ticats defence kept Ottawa out of the end zone Saturday night but the squad still dropped a 21-15 home decision to the Redblacks.
Hamilton coach June Jones has always waxed poetic about Manziel, once boasting the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner had the potential to be the best player ever to suit up in the CFL. Jones maintained that belief even after Manziel was dealt, saying he expected the former Texas A&M star's first start would be against the Ticats "and he'll make a bunch of plays, that's what he does.
"We've got to be better than him."
The Ticats should be.
Prediction: Hamilton.
Ottawa Redblacks versus Toronto Argonauts (Thursday night)
At Toronto, McLeod Bethel-Thompson will make his first career CFL start for the Argos (1-5), who went 1-3 under backup James Franklin and were outscored 78-34 in dropping a home-and-home series to Winnipeg. Ottawa (4-2) tops the East Division but couldn't score a TD last week in Hamilton. Consider, though, the lone blemishes on the Redblacks' record are two losses to league-leading Calgary. Trevor Harris was 23-of-35 passing for 228 yards against Hamilton while Canadian Brad Sinopoli had nine catches for 82 yards. But Greg Ellingson had just three receptions for 34 yards and has finished under 50 yards receiving in four straight games.
Prediction: Ottawa.
Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Edmonton Eskimos (Thursday night)
At Edmonton, it's becoming yet another solid season for Mike Reilly, the CFL's outstanding player last year, He's leading the league in passing yards (2,063), completion average (68.7), completions (147) and TDs (13) and tied for first in passing efficiency (108.1). Reilly threw for 415 yards and four touchdowns as the Eskimos (4-2) beat Montreal 44-23. Saskatchewan (3-3) activated veteran quarterback Zach Collaros (concussion) from the six-game injured list and he could see action. The Riders also are reportedly moving Duron Carter from the secondary back to the receiving corps.
Prediction: Edmonton.
B.C. Lions versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night)
At Calgary, consider the Stampeders (6-0) are unbeaten at home (3-0) while B.C. (2-3) is winless on the road (0-3). Granted, the Stamps have beaten up on East Division competition (5-0, 145 points for, 46 points against) but they did surge into a 24-0 lead last week versus Saskatchewan then were able to right the ship after the Riders scored 19 straight points. The Lions haven't played since a 29-25 loss to Ottawa on July 20. Veteran Travis Lulay threw for 325 yards and two TDs and Brandon Rutley ran for 91 yards and a touchdown, but went down with a knee injury and is now on the six-game injured list.
Prediction: Calgary.
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 18-9
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
