Jansen motivated to earn job back
Jon Jansen is still adjusting to his new football reality: life on the bench. Jansen played 14 snaps at right tackle in Sunday’s win over Arizona, and graded out well, but the only way he’ll return is if Stephon Heyer can’t play.
Heyer did not practice Wednesday because of a sprained shoulder. Coach Jim Zorn said that if Heyer doesn’t work today then Jansen would start.
“It’s been frustrating and something I didn’t understand and don’t understand,” Jansen said. “But everyone goes through it at some point in their career and you just have to deal with it.”
Jansen, in his 10th season with Washington, said he still wants to show his coaches he can play. That was his mindset when he entered this past Sunday vs. the Cardinals.
“I would be lying to say it wasn’t in the back of my mind,” he said. “I wanted to prove to everybody that has seen me play for the past 10 years and five years before that that I’m not old, I’m not washed up and I can still play with the best of them.”
Said Zorn, “We were very pleased with how he responded.”
Jansen has worked at left guard as well as his natural spot of right tackle during practices. One thing he doesn’t like is watching games.
“That’s definitely been a new experience for me,” he said, “one that I’m not enjoying.”
Player of note » Mike Sellers • FB
Sellers sat out practice Wednesday because of a thigh bruise, while receiver Malcolm Kelly (ankle) and Fred Smoot (hip) were limited. For Sellers, the days of handling the ball appear to be over. After running the ball a combined 38 times the past two seasons, including 26 last year, he has one rush this year. He also has just one reception compared to a combined 35 the past two years.
QB watch » Tony Romo • Dallas
Romo has done a much better job of staying in the pocket where he sets up. In the past, he would inch up in the pocket too much, eliminating passing lanes and causing problems for his linemen. He’s also made quicker reads and is doing a better job taking care of the ball. He’s thrown five touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 62 of 92 passes for 892 yards.
