Comeback SZN Texas Tour

ICYMI! The “Comeback SZN Texas Tour” continued with Johnny Manziel looking sharp in the first quarter of The Spring League‘s second game this Thursday in North Austin. He had a bit of a hiccup, one heck of an inherited deficit and very little time of possession in the final quarter as Team South took on Team West at Kelly-Reeves Athletic Complex.

Incidentally, he swapped out of the Jordan Retro XI Low Cool Greys after half time for some snazzy black and whites, which make his size 15’s stand out even more.

Thursday brought much better weather with clement temps in the 70’s and 80’s and a gusty breeze as the South team went to work.  In true Manziel fashion Johnny went to work and rushed for two electric touchdowns tying the score at the half 14-14.

His first touchdown was a 50-yard bomb to fellow Texan and former Baylor Bear, Antwan Goodley, to tie the game after falling behind by one TD.

Then he tied it up in classic Manziel fashion with a 20 yard rushing touchdown — his first of the sort in The Spring League.

 

 

Johnny didn’t stop there … He went full-on JFF with an amazing dash to the end zone, scoring another touchdown to tie the game.

 

When JFF was swapped out with Cody Keith in the first half, the South was up 14 to 7 with JFF completing 8 of his 10 of his passes connecting for 145 yards.

 

Johnny didn’t play in the third quarter, but was seen calling plays from the sideline as Cody Keith took the helm on the field.  Things continued to go a little down hill for the South Team.  The defense had issues, and the offense stubbed their toe more than once.

Zach Mettenberger and Manziel came back in the 4th quarter.  The South had failed to add points to the scoreboard and the West capitalized on Johnny’s absence by scoring frequently amidst copious crap-talking, along with some chippy moments. Johnny looked great in the shotgun, but he threw one pass that he surely wishes he had back.

The South got the ball back, and Johnny marched them down the field to the red zone, but a plethora of penalties sidelined the drive.

Manziel wound up with 188 yards (for about half the game) and the final score was 34 – 17.  Johnny’s performance wasn’t perfect but he is still as amazing to watch as ever, and his ability to draw a crowd is still impressive … the stadium was virtually empty after the first game was over.

“It’s been beyond my wildest dreams. There was a time there I didn’t know if I would actually do it. … I’m extremely happy just to be healthy, just to get to throw the ball around. I’ve missed this.”

 

Post-Game

After the game, the ever-present cameras and mike boom dudes who followed him incessantly during the game cornered him for an impromptu interview in the entryway of the locker room.  We never had to wonder where he was — we only had to look for the Johnny Cam and now Johnny Mike Boom Dude. 😉

 

After he was able to break away from the enthusiastic press corps, Johnny graciously signed and signed for tons of fans, and reconnected with friends, while Bre Tiesi Manziel, his wife of a few months, patiently looked on in a #2 Manziel jersey.

We felt a little sad for the players in the second game. The stadium emptied out promptly after Johnny’s game was over and the area that was previously full of scouts was also largely empty — maybe they were grabbing a bite.

 

What’s Next?

Even in The Spring League, Johnny’s natural athletic talent and intellectual penchant for football was on full display, as he not only mentored the other players, but studied the game from every angle.  Like one fan was overheard saying, “there’s a reason they call him Johnny FOOTBALL.”

As for the future, as we outlined previously, Manziel’s offer from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is still on the table and he has until CFL Rookie training camps begin on May 16th. If he opts for the CFL, his contract will likely be for two years.

“I’m straight back to working out and doing what I did when I came here. Everything else will sort itself out. I’m  doing what I can to come back to playing football—whatever capacity that is. We know when [the CFL] deadlines are. We have another month or so to work out and not worry about anything.” —Johnny Manziel 

 

Whether JFF finds a home in the NFL or the CFL, there is no doubt Manziel is still much more dynamic than many NFL backup QB’s.  They know who they are.  😉

…

Comeback SZN Continues in CLL

Next stop on JFF Comeback SZN Texas tour is in College Station (KVUE reports Johnny calls CLL home now? Who knew?!) …  this weekend  Johnny will join Aggie greats like Bucky Richardson and Dat Nguyen joining Johnny in an alumni flag football game which is scheduled for the beginning of the M/W Spring game.

Jimbo Fisher and the Ags are working overtime to make this Maroon and White game one to remember. According to Gig ‘Em Gazette 79 suites have already been reserved, (versus only 13 last year).

Expect some exciting Kyle Field switch-ups and a few other updates including maroon end zones, player-drafted teams and unscripted plays with Fisher watching as “the commissioner” instead of coaching.

#TXLovesJFF is planning on making another stop in College Station  — will we see you there? Hope so!  😉 

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