Johnny Manziel's CFL debut with Hamilton Tiger-Cats a positive step in football comeback

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY Published 10:37 p.m. ET June 1, 2018 | Updated 12:36 a.m. ET June 2, 2018

Canadian Football League coach June Jones of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats said there's no chance former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel will start Week 1 of the season. Time

HAMILTON, Ontario — For the first time in 887 days, Johnny Manziel played pro football, and it got a little chirpy.

Manziel made his Canadian Football League debut for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night in a 36-18 loss against the Toronto Argonauts. It was a mostly positive performance for Manziel, even as he had to fend off some trash talk from some of his opponents.

“It was just part of it,” Manziel said after the game. “I was trying to help a guy up out of the pile. He wants to say some foul stuff. Listen, I’m not here to be pushed over. You can come at me because my name is in the paper or because my name is on TV. You can come at me. I’m not backing down. I’m here for a reason. I’m here to play ball and I’m not going to be treated like (expletive). So, it is what it is. It’s football. People talk a little bit out there. But just know that I’m not backing down from anybody.”

Though the Tiger-Cats ran a simplified version of their offense while he was in the game, Manziel played well. Far from flawless, Manziel nonetheless flashed traits that made him a coveted NFL draft pick — athleticism, an ability to escape pressure and keep his eyes downfield, and decent arm strength. Though Manziel still has much to learn about the Canadian game, this was a positive step in his comeback trail.

He played 22 snaps over five possessions, entering the game with 3:36 left to play in the second quarter. He connected on nine of 12 passes for 80 yards, with a long completion of 21 yards. He ran the ball twice for 10 yards, but took two sacks.

His best drive was his last. On the third play of the series, facing a 1st and 10, Manziel took the snap and felt defensive pressure coming from his left. Flushed out of the pocket to the right, he crept closer to the sideline, allowing receiver Damarr Aultman to create a small window of space. Manziel fired a pass across his body, Aultman hauled it in, and was eventually brought down for the 21-yard gain.

Though the drive ended with a turnover on downs, the series spanned 12 plays and 62 yards, draining 7:27 off the clock.

He was removed with 14:05 left to play in the fourth quarter.

“I looked at it real quick on the tablet,” head coach June Jones said after the game. “He’s did some good things. 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.”

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Incumbent Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli started the game. Earlier this week, Jones told reporters that if both Manziel and Masoli are healthy at the beginning of the regular season, Masoli will “absolutely” start.

Masoli finished the game eight of 13 for 115 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Manziel, a first-round selection of the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 draft infamously washed out of the NFL after a series of off-field incidents. The Browns waived Manziel in March of 2016.

Manziel, who played in a developmental league in April called the Spring League, last played in a pro game in a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 27, 2015.

Hamilton’s next preseason game is June 9 against the Montreal Alouettes. The Tiger-Cats open their regular season on June 16 against the Calgary Stampeders.

“I didn’t know what my expectations were,” Manziel said of his transition in Canada. “I didn’t know what I was getting into here. I talked to some people, but that only goes so far until you’re really living it. To each his own on what you like and dislike. But for me, I love our practice schedule. I love my coaches. I love my teammates, man. It’s been fun and easy to transition into a new country and a new place with guys in the locker room like we have.

“Now, the game itself, today was good to get out there, feel the speed, see the zone coverages, see how it plays out. I feel like this is a good fit for me. I’m here for a reason and I’m here to compete for a reason. I want to play and do whatever capacity to help this team win. I mean that honestly, whatever that is.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.