With Johnny Football, Can Hamilton Finally Break Through?

The Hamilton Tigers did something that no NFL team would do, take a chance on Johnny Manziel. One of the most hyped college players of all time has a chance to redeem himself as a professional football player. “Football’s” stint in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns was a disaster. Supposedly, he’s gotten his act together. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are hoping he has. Hamilton last won the Grey Cup in 1999. That’s a long stint for a team in a professional football league with 9 squads. Now with Manziel on board, how are their odds to win the 2018 Grey Cup looking like?

With Johnny Manziel, Can Hamilton Finally Break Through?

June Jones has seen plenty of talent, and he’s been impressed with Johnny Manziel. https://t.co/fEpP4Xe4g1

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 21, 2018

There are reasons to believe Manziel brings a Grey Cup Championship to Hamilton. Then, there’s a reason to believe the chances aren’t great.

Remember Warren Moon

Warren Moon spent 6 years with the Edmonton Eskimos, from 1978 through 1983. Moon was so effective that the Eskimos won Grey Cups in 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982. That means that Edmonton won Grey Cups in Warren’s first 5 seasons with the team. After the 1983 CFL season, Moon bolted to the NFL. He ended up becoming a hall of fame QB in America’s pro football league, mainly playing for the former Tennessee Titans, then called the Houston Oilers. Johnny Football’s goal, no doubt, will be to become the next Warren Moon.

Manziel’s a Football Player

Johnny Manziel is a straight up football player. He doesn’t have the prototypical NFL height, 6’ 0”, but he can make all the NFL throws. In regards to his height, the other quarterbacks on Hamilton’s squad are: Vernon Adams 5’ 11”, Dane Evans, 6’ 1”, and Bryant Moniz 6’ 0”. Starter Jeremiah Masoli is only 5’ 11”. Johnny’s one of the taller QBs on the roster. It’s difficult to see any of the other quarterbacks able to make the truly pro throws that Johnny can make. Masoli, as an example, threw a pick late in Hamilton’s 14 to 28 loss to Calgary in Week 1. He didn’t throw a TD pass. It could only be a matter of time before Johnny Football gets the starter’s nod in Hamilton.

Manziel Should Have Success Playing on CFL Fields

Johnny Football found great success as Texas A&M’s starting quarterback. He won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman. Texas A&M plays in the SEC. It’s no joke to beat up SEC defenses the way Johnny did. The CFL field is 110 yards compared to American football’s 100-yard fields. The CFL end zone is 20 yards deep compared to American football end zones, which are only 10 yards deep. That means Manziel has more room to work.

What Can Derail Manziel’s Success at Hamilton?

Hamilton must find a way to win the Grey Cup. They believe that Johnny Manziel can help them do that. His tools suggest he can. He’s not a slam dunk, though. Johnny Football is a decent player, but he has yet to prove that the awesomeness he displayed while a Texas A&M Aggie can translate to the pro-level, to any pro-level. Johnny Manziel might just be one of those great college quarterbacks that can’t succeed as a pro. If that happens, that’s okay for Johnny Football. He made his mark in college. For the Hamilton Tiger-Cats? The Grey Cup drought could continue.