Redskins cut Jansen
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
May 29, 2009
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| The Redskins released longtime veteran offensive tackle Jon Jansen on Friday. Jansen was picked by the Skins in the second round (No. 37 overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft. (Getty Images) |
ASHBURN — The Redskins preferred the alternatives. Jon Jansen would have preferred it if they had reached that conclusion earlier.
But, regardless, the bottom line is this: Jansen will play elsewhere next season after Washington cut him Friday. Jansen had played with the Redskins since 1999, when the franchise selected him in the second round. He became an immediate starter and remained one throughout his tenure, though he was benched at the start of last season only to regain his job when Stephon Heyer was injured.
Jansen still had three more years left on his contract. He’ll count approximately $4.6 million against the salary cap this season and next, about the same amount that he would have had he remained a Redskin.
"It’s very disappointing," Jansen said. "I felt and I still feel that I have a lot to offer and I thought I would have had a chance to compete. It wasn’t in the cards. It happens and I’ll move on and continue my career somewhere else.
Jansen says he'll join Lions after physical
DETROIT (AP) — Jon Jansen's search for a new team lasted less than a day.
Jansen said Friday, the same day the offensive tackle was cut by the Washington Redskins, he will sign a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions if he passes a physical.
"After taking care of things Monday, I'm very excited to show I've got more than one year left in my career," Jansen said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "The Lions were the No. 1 team I wanted to sign with because it brings me back home, and it gives me a chance to be one of the guys to turn things around."
Jansen, who is from Clawson, Mich., is set to join the NFL's first team coming off an 0-16 season.
"I've been a right tackle my whole life, but I just want to compete for a job anywhere from right to left tackle," he said. "I've even played center, so wherever they need help, I'll be ready to do my part."
"Every coach wants to do their thing and it’s amazing that I’ve had so many coaches and someone hasn’t come in before and said, I don’t care for this guy."
Jansen played near a Pro Bowl level, developing a reputation as a strong run blocker. He also earned the nickname, ‘Rock,’ because he never left the lineup. But in the past five seasons he dealt with two season-ending leg injuries as well as two broken thumbs.
Coach Jim Zorn met with Jansen Friday morning at Redskins Park, saying he wanted to deliver the news in person rather than via the phone. Jansen flew in from Michigan earlier in the morning on owner Dan Snyder’s plane. Zorn offered him a chance to retire as a Redskin. Or, if he still wanted to play, to be released. Jansen opted for the latter.
Jansen was upset with the timing, but Zorn said he did not reach this conclusion until recently.
"As we watched minicamp and [organized team activities]," Zorn said, "it became evident for me and talking with [line coach] Joe Bugel and [offensive coordinator] Sherman Lewis that it was best to take him out of the mix. And I couldn’t come to grips with him backing up [other positions] and taking away reps from younger guys.
"This was not easy for me…. This wasn’t a flippant decision."
Jansen had been optimistic about what he could do this season. He started his workout sessions a month earlier, had lowered his body fat and worked more on his lateral movement.
"I feel so good right now," he said of his physical condition.
Heyer likely enters camp as the starting right tackle, backed up by Mike Williams and Jeremy Bridges.
Washington hopes one of the three can become a consistent starter. Heyer worked with the first unit in minicamp and the OTAs.
Jansen hopes to play for a couple more years before heading into the broadcast industry.
"I’ve got a lot of football left in me," he said. "I see this as an opportunity for me to try and win a championship somewhere else. ... I wasn’t looking to move on, but it’s that time."
