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It turns out the CFL isn’t half bad when it comes to looking for a little football in the summer.

As many of you know, we’ve been following the Manziel saga like hawks for the better part of two years. He’s now on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats team, and they had their first game of the season Saturday night against the Calgary Stampede. (SLIDESHOW: These Are The Hottest Photos Of Johnny Manziel‘s Wife)

As crazy as this sounds, I actually sat down to watch the action unfold. I was stunned by how many football people around America were doing the same. It was actually a pretty big event for football fans, and ESPN2 had all the action.

Nobody knew if Manziel would play, and he ultimately didn’t get any snaps in the 28–14 loss. (SLIDESHOW: These Sexy Women Love Football)

I, however, was shocked by the level of play in the CFL. I was straight-up stunned and never would have expected the CFL to be so entertaining. People have long talked about how the CFL has great talent. Obviously, nobody in America has really ever cared football north of the border. Manziel has changed that. He’s bringing new eyes to the league. It’s by far and away that best thing to happen to the CFL that I’ve ever heard of.

It didn’t take long at all for me to realize that these guys up there can play ball.

The field is obviously longer and wider and the rules are different, but it’s still entertaining as hell. The speed of the game is incredibly fast, and it feels like a video game. They’re just slinging the ball all over the field with reckless abandonment. The Ti-Cats starting quarterback is Jeremiah Masoli. Yes, the same Jeremiah Masoli from Oregon and Ole Miss. The guy didn’t look half bad. He’s not Manziel, but he still made some plays.

Will I watch more CFL games? For sure, if they’re on ESPN and I need some time to kill. Most football fans will absolutely tune in once Manziel is starting under center. Either way, I was very pleasantly surprised by the level of play. Turns out that Canadians aren’t as bad at slinging the pigskin as I might have thought.

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