Jon Jansen

Jon Jansen
No. 76

Position:	Offensive tackle
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1976-01-28) January 28, 1976
Place of birth:	Clawson, Michigan
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:	Clawson (MI)
College:	Michigan
NFL draft:	1999 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37
Career history
Washington Redskins (1999–2008) Detroit Lions (2009)
Career highlights and awards
National Champion (1997) 1× Second-team All-Pro selection (2005)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:	137
Games started:	125
Stats at NFL.com

Jonathan Ward Jansen (born January 28, 1976) is a former American football offensive tackle. He previously played for the Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.

Early years

Jansen earned Prep Football Report All-Midwest and Detroit News Blue Chip honors as a tight end at Clawson High (Mich.). As a senior, he made a school-record 31 catches for 420 yards. He posted 68 career catches and made 202 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions at linebacker to earn Oakland County Defensive MVP honors. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball.

College career

Jansen was a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection at Michigan. He set a school record with 50 straight starts, all at Right Tackle, earning the nickname "Rock." As a senior in 1998, he was named a First-Team All-American by the Burger King American Football Coaches Association. He paced Michigan's down lineman with 106 knockdowns on an offense that gained 4,955 yards. He helped Michigan to a 45-31 victory over Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl. He was Michigan's co-captain as a senior and junior and fortified an offense that posted 4,652 yards en route to the National Championship. As a redshirt freshman, he helped propel an offense that amassed 5,140 yards.

Professional career

Washington Redskins

Jansen was drafted by Washington in the second-round of 1999 NFL Draft (37th overall). Jon was a valuable addition to a Redskins offensive line that allowed 31 sacks compared with a franchise record 61 in 1998. He started all 16 regular-season games and both playoff games. He made a huge impact in mini-camp, training camp and the preseason, impressing coaches with his ability to grasp the Redskins system. He was part of an offensive line that earned game balls for allowing no sacks in a 50-21 win over the Giants in Week 2.

On an offensive line decimated with injuries, Jansen did not miss a snap in 2000. He was one of four players on offense to start each game and has now started every game in his career (34), including two playoff contests. His blocking helped Stephen Davis rush for 1,318 yards.

Jansen started all 16 games for the third straight season in 2001. He has started every game in his career (50, including two playoff games). He earned the game ball, along with the rest of the offensive line, for making way for the offense to rush for a season-high 226 yards in Redskins 27-14 win over Seattle (11/4). He and the unit earned another game ball for their outstanding play in Week 16 after the Redskins beat the Saints 40-10. Jansen's blocking helped running back Stephen Davis eclipse the team record with 1,432 yards rushing, third in the NFL and first in the NFC.

Jansen was voted by his teammates as the 'Unsung Hero' of the Redskins for 2002. He regarded as one of the best tackles in the NFL and part of the best bookend tandem of tackles when paired with Pro Bowler Chris Samuels. A relentless worker, Jansen helped the Redskins offense rush for 1,889 yards.

Jansen started all 16 games in 2003 at right tackle for the fourth straight season, living up to his nickname: "The Rock". He had started 82 straight contests (including 2 playoff games) as a pro after starting 50 straight games in his college career at Michigan. Jansen continued to be a solid performer at right tackle, teaming with new right guard Randy Thomas to open up holes and protect Redskin quarterbacks. In Week 1 vs. New York Jets, he helped open holes for the Redskins to rush for 160 yards. In Week 2 at Atlanta, he helped the Redskins total 435 yards and 125 rushing yards. In Week 3 vs. New York Giants, he helped the Redskins total 456 yards and 124 rushing yards. He continued his rivalry with Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan by limiting him to two tackles and no sacks. In a Week 10 game against Seattle, he helped the Redskins offense compile 379 total yards and 137 rushing yards. In Week 13 game against the New Orleans Saints, he helped the Redskins to 392 total yards and 161 rushing yards, opening holes for Trung Canidate who logged 115 rushing yards.

Jansen suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon injury in the Redskins' preseason opener on Aug. 9, 2004 against the Denver Broncos. He was placed on the team's injured reserve list shortly after having surgery to repair the injury.

Jansen returned from the Achilles injury in 2004 to start all 16 games and two playoff games in 2005. He joined with right guard Randy Thomas to develop a dominant right side of the offensive line. He also helped running back Clinton Portis rush for a single-season team record 1,516 yards. In Week 1 vs. Chicago, he helped the Redskins' offense rush for 164 yards, led by Clinton Portis's 121 rushing yards on 21 carries. In Week 7 vs. San Francisco, he helped the Redskins' offense rush for 204 yards, led by Clinton Portis's 101 rushing yards and Ladell Betts' 92 yards. In Week 13 at St. Louis, he was part of an offensive line that compiled a season-high 257 rushing yards. Clinton Portis had 136 rushing yards and two TDs, while Rock Cartwright had 118 rushing yards on nine carries.

Jansen was given a new contract on February 7, 2007 at the conclusion of the 2006 season.

During the season opener against Miami in 2007, Jansen suffered a season-ending broken and dislocated ankle. He was placed on the injured reserve. Reche Caldwell, a wide receiver, was signed for the roster spot vacated by Jansen.

On May 29, 2009, the Washington Redskins cut Jansen. Jansen was released after a meeting with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, and head coach Jim Zorn among others.^[1]

Detroit Lions

On May 29, 2009. the Lions agreed to a one-year deal with Jansen. The deal was finalized on June 1, 2009.^[2] In Detroit, Jansen served as a backup to Gosder Cherilus. On October 11, 2009, Jansen made his first start for the Lions in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was re-signed to a one year, $860,000 deal, the NFL minimum, on March 6, 2010. On September 4, 2010, however, Jansen was released by the Lions as they cut their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 player limit.^[3]

Costas Now

In September 2006, Jansen appeared on the HBO show Costas Now where in an interview with Bob Costas he stated that in his estimation between 15-20% of the league used illegal performance enhancing drugs. Jansen stated that the use of illegal substances was on the rise because the use of human growth hormone injections which are not tested for by the NFL.

He later recanted this estimation, saying that he felt 15-to-20 percent was a low amount and not realizing the significant numbers of players that a 15-to-20 percent figure would represent.

Personal life

Jansen is married and has two daughters, Lucy and Ruby. He participated at the NFL Network coverage of the playoff game between Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings on January 4, 2009, he interviewed Eagles runningback Brian Westbrook . Jansen now does post game shows for the Detroit Lions on 97.1 The Ticket WXYT-FM on Lions Game day. The Big Ten Network has hired Jon for a variety of roles.^[4]

References

↑ (May 29, 2009)Redskins cut veteran OT Jansen ESPN.com. May 29, 2009.
↑ Monarrez, Carlos (May 29, 2009).Lions set to sign former Wolverine Jon Jansen Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
↑ Schottey, Michael. "NFL Cuts: Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Released: Dre Bly, Jon Jansen, Others Gone". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
↑ "Former Lion Jon Jansen Joins Lions Post Game Show". 971theticket.com. Retrieved 7 November 2010.

External links

1997 Michigan Wolverines football—AP national champions

Washington Redskins 1999 NFL Draft selections

Champ Bailey Jon Jansen Nate Stimson Derek Smith Jeff Hall Tim Alexander

Draft Years 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1950 AAFC 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

80 Greatest Redskins

21 Terry Allen RB 1995–98
56 LaVar Arrington LB 2000–05
41 Mike Bass CB 1969–75
20 Cliff Battles B 1932–37
33 Sammy Baugh QB 1937–52
31 Don Bosseler FB 1957–64
53 Jeff Bostic C 1980–93
4 Mike Bragg P 1968–79
80 Gene Brito DE 1951–53, 1955–58
43 Larry Brown RB 1969–76
77 Bill Brundige DE 1970–77
65 Dave Butz DT 1975–88
21 Earnest Byner RB 1989–93
84 Gary Clark WR 1985–92
51 Monte Coleman LB 1979–94
53 Al DeMao C 1945–53
36 Chuck Drazenovich LB 1950–59
35 Bill Dudley RB 1950–51, 1953
17 Turk Edwards T 1932–40
44 Andy Farkas FB 1938–44
37 Pat Fischer CB 1968–77
28 Darrell Green CB 1983–2002
68 Russ Grimm G 1981–91
55 Chris Hanburger LB 1965–78
57 Ken Harvey LB 1994–98
56 Len Hauss C 1964–77
75 Terry Hermeling OT 1970–80
27 Ken Houston S 1973–80
70 Sam Huff LB 1964–67, 1969
66 Joe Jacoby T/G 1981–93
47 Dick James RB 1955–63
76 Jon Jansen OT 1999–08
80 Roy Jefferson WR 1971–76
9 Sonny Jurgensen QB 1964–74
22 Charlie Justice RB 1950, 1952–54
17 Billy Kilmer QB 1971–78
26 Paul Krause DB 1964–67
79 Jim Lachey T 1988–95
14 Eddie LeBaron QB 1952–53, 1955–59
72 Dexter Manley DE 1981–89
71 Charles Mann DE 1983–93
58 Wilber Marshall LB 1988–92
73 Mark May T 1981–89
79 Ron McDole DE 1971–78
63 Raleigh McKenzie G 1985–94
53 Harold McLinton LB 1969–78
40 Wayne Millner E 1936–41, 1945
49 Bobby Mitchell FL 1962–68
30 Brian Mitchell RB 1990–99
81 Art Monk WR 1980–93
3 Mark Moseley K 1974–86
29 Mark Murphy S 1977–84
21 Mike Nelms KR 1980–84
52 Neal Olkewicz LB 1979–89
23 Brig Owens LB 1966–77
26 Clinton Portis RB 2004–10
65 Vince Promuto G 1960–70
44 John Riggins RB 1976–79, 1981–85
11 Mark Rypien QB 1987–93
60 Chris Samuels OT 2000–09
83 Ricky Sanders WR 1986–93
76 Ed Simmons T 1987–93
87 Jerry Smith TE 1965–77
60 Dick Stanfel G 1956–58
74 George Starke T 1973–84
72 Diron Talbert DT 1971–80
42 Charley Taylor WR 1964–77
84 Hugh Taylor WR 1947–54
21 Sean Taylor S 2004–07
7 Joe Theismann QB 1974–85
67 Rusty Tillman LB 1970–77
85 Don Warren TE 1979–92
25 Joe Washington RB 1981–84
17 Doug Williams QB 1986–89

Administration

George Allen Head Coach 1971–77
Bobby Beathard General Manager 1978–89
Joe Bugel Offensive Line Coach 1981–89, 04–09
Ray Flaherty Head Coach 1936–42
Joe Gibbs Head Coach 1981–92
Richie Petitbon Defensive Coordinator 1978–92