Johnny Manziel signs deal with Spring League
February 14, 2018, 10:28 AM EST
Comeback Season is beginning for Johnny Manziel in an unlikely place.
At a time when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League want Manziel to agree to terms, Manziel has agreed to terms with The Spring League, a short-season developmental league based in the U.S.
“We’re excited to have such a dynamic player in Johhny Manziel taking part in The Spring League,” Brian Woods, CEO of The Spring League, said in a release. “We believe our platform is the ideal forum for Mr. Manziel to enact his NFL comeback.”
Launched last year, The Spring League essentially is a pre-draft showcase for available players who may end up being signed by NFL teams after the draft, ostensibly to fill needs that aren’t satisfied via the process of picking incoming rookies, one round at a time.
In 2016, all Spring League games were played at The Greenbrier, in West Virginia. This year, the games will be played in Austin, with four games played over a two-week period.
Manziel will play for the Spring League South team, with games on Saturday, April 7 and Saturday, April 14.
“Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Manziel said in the release. “Sometimes you take for granted how much you value something until it’s gone. My goal is to make it back to the NFL and I realize I have to earn that privilege. The Spring League has provided me with a great opportunity to play ball again, and ultimately, that is all I want to do. I miss the competition.”
Why is Manziel pursuing this path? Put simply, teams want to see him in shape and playing, with pads on.
So that’s what they’ll get. Twice.
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The
Spring League began last year. This is the results of the league as concerns professional opportunities out of the 105 players that participated.:
The following players signed with NFL or CFL teams following their involvement with The Spring League:
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a quarterback, signed with the Toronto Argonauts on May 23. He is currently a backup quarterback, having spent time on the injured list to start the 2017 season. Bethel-Thompson also played as a defensive back, and on special teams during the CFL preseason.[16][1] Bethel-Thompson won the 105th Grey Cup with the Argonauts later in the year.
- Zeek Bigger, a linebacker, signed with the Carolina Panthers on May 30, after participating in OTAs on a tryout basis.[1][18] Bigger was released at the end of the preseason, but spent two weeks on the Panther's practice squad.
- Manasseh Garner, a tight end, signed with the Washington Redskins on May 15 following their rookie mini-camp.[1][20] Garner was cut following the preseason, but was signed to the practice squad.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Identifying_reliable_sources
- Cornerback Tyquwan Glass was signed to the Los Angeles Rams on August 22. Glass was released as part of final cuts.
- Tight end David Grinnage was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars just prior to the preseason on August 14. Grinnage did not make the team, but was given a spot on Jacksonville's practice squad.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Identifying_reliable_sources
- Defensive lineman Calvin Heurtelou was signed by the Green Bay Packers on August 21. Heurtelou was waived after the preseason.
- Daje Johnson, wide receiver, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. After playing the first three weeks of the regular season on the practice roster, Johnson was promoted to be the starting returner for Week 4. After playing two games, Johnson was placed on the injured list, and was later released on August 9.
- Wide receiver Jalen Saunders signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on May 23. After two weeks on the practice roster, Saunders made his CFL debut in Week 3. Saunders finished the 2017 CFL season with over 1,000 yards receiving.
- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi signed with the Calgary Stampeders on May 16 as a backup quarterback.
- Tani Tupou, a fullback/defensive tackle, signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 14 following their mini-camp. Tupou was the first Spring League player to be signed by a professional team. Tupou was released after the preseason, but was signed to the Falcon's practice squad. He spent time on the active roster (1 game) as well this year.
- Wide receiver Griff Whalen was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on July 21, following his participation in the Summer Showcase game.Whalen was released following the preseason, but later spent two games with the Ravens before being cut again.