With just one win in their first five games, the Alouettes tried to shock their season late in the day on Sunday with the purchase of star quarterback Johnny Manziel of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
In addition to Manziel, the Alouettes have captured offensive linemen Tony Washington (international) and Landon Rice (national). For their part, the Tiger-Cats received defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman, catcher Chris Williams and two first-round picks in 2020 and 2022.
This is a transaction that meets two glaring needs among the Alouettes since the beginning of the campaign: have a quarter that can finally carry the attack on his shoulders and improve the offensive line that is experiencing all kinds of trouble.
Manziel had not played in the regular season with the Tiger-Cats yet. However, he had done very well in both of his team's pre-season games, completing 21 of his 31 assists (67.7%), including one that led to a touchdown. On the ground, he had amassed 19 yards in six races.
There is one factor that should not be overlooked in the coming of "Johnny Football" in Montreal. Alouettes head coach Mike Sherman was the one who persuaded him to join the Texas A & M Aggies as he made the jump into the NCAA. A bond of trust would have developed between the two men.
Sherman had a say in this exchange. It's undeniable. He may have reassured general manager Kavis Reed and owner Bob Wetenhall about Manziel. The football man knows very well the "sparrow" who has the reputation of having a strong character and who likes to party. He must also think that he can exploit the full potential of the former NFL player.
A price to pay
It's nice Manziel, but the Alouettes have given a lot for a pivot who has not played a regular season offense in the CFL.
Westerman and Williams, who had been acquired through the free agent market, were the two best players on the team in 2018.
As for Williams, he was the Alouettes' best receiver before he had a thigh injury against Ottawa before the rest week. His speed gave a dimension that the Alouettes had missed in recent years.
Better protection
It must be remembered that the Alouettes received two offensive linemen in Tony Washington and Landon Rice. This is not a hiding place across the league: the Alouettes' attacking line is a weak link in the team.
After Tyler Johnstone, Kavis Reed got another blocker going to Washington. As for Rice, he brings a depth to the guardhouse.
These two acquisitions will not hurt. On Saturday in Calgary, Alouettes quarterbacks were mistreated from start to finish. If Manziel wants to throw the ball in the right place, he will have time to execute.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://z22news.com/manziel-is-coming-to-montreal/
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