QB Johnny Manziel traded to CFL's Alouettes

After not appearing in five games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, quarterback Johnny Manziel changed CFL teams Sunday night when he was acquired by the Montreal Alouettes in a multi-player trade. The deal reunites Manziel with Montreal head coach Mike Sherman, who recruited him to Texas A&M in 2011. He redshirted in 2011 and won the Heisman the following season under then first-year coach Kevin Sumlin. "We have acquired an exceptional quarterback with undeniable talent," Montreal general manager Kavis Reed said in a statement. "With his great mobility, his athletic abilities and his instinct, we believe that he will have a positive impact on our offense." Manziel's only appearances for Hamilton were in two preseason games. In those games, he completed 21 of 31 passes with one touchdown while rushing six times for 19 yards. In Hamilton, Manziel was stuck behind incumbent quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who tied a league record with nine straight 300-yard passing games. It is possible Manziel gets playing time for Montreal, which lost starting quarterback Drew Willy to a hand injury during Saturday's loss to the Calgary Stampeders. The Alouettes also are without quarterback Jeff Matthews for four to six weeks due to a foot injury. Montreal's offense is among the worst in the CFL. The Alouettes rank last in points scored and rushing yards. They also rank seventh out of nine teams in passing yards and at 1-4 they are in last place in the East Division. "This is a move both Kavis Reed and I felt we needed to make at this time," Sherman, told the Montreal Gazette. "Neither one of us believes in the status quo and felt we needed to shake things up. Johnny is someone we believe can elevate one of the most important positions on our team. "I look forward to reuniting with Johnny again and working with him." Manziel inked a two-year deal with Hamilton in May, two years after getting released by the Cleveland Browns after two turbulent seasons. Before joining the CFL, he actively pursued another NFL contract. The former first-round pick has dealt with numerous off-field problems. He had domestic assault charges against him dismissed in 2016 after he agreed to anger management courses and participated in the NFL's substance abuse program.