![]() | |||||
No. 76 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Clawson, Michigan, U.S. | January 28, 1976||||
Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||
Weight: | 290 lb (132 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Clawson | ||||
College: | Michigan | ||||
NFL draft: | 1999 / Round: 2 / Pick: 37 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
| |||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||
| |||||
Player stats at PFR |
Jonathan Ward Jansen (born January 28, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft. He also played briefly for the Detroit Lions.
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.
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.
Jansen was drafted by Washington in the second-round of 1999 NFL draft (37th overall). [1] 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 touchdowns, 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. [2]
On May 29, 2009. the Lions agreed to a one-year deal with Jansen. The deal was finalized on June 1, 2009. [3] 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. [4]
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.
Jansen has three daughters, Lucy, Ruby and Ellie and two sons, Jack and Teddy. 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. [5] On May 30, 2017, Jansen was one of eight new inductees announced for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in Detroit. The ceremony took place on September 15, 2017. As of 2018, Jansen has appeared on the weekly Inside Michigan Football TV show, co-hosted by Jim Brandstatter. In October 2020, Jansen joined sports-talk WXYT-FM in Detroit as morning show co-host with Mike Stone and Heather Park. Beginning with the 2022 season, Jansen also started calling the University of Michigan Football games for WXYT-FM alongside fellow radio host, Doug Karsch. [6]
Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. is an American former football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he earned consensus All-American honors, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft.
Richard Joseph Gannon is an American former football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Subsequently, he was a sports commentator with CBS Sports for 16 years.
Larry Christopher Allen Jr. was an American professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Butte Roadrunners and the Sonoma State Cossacks, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft. Allen is regarded as one of the NFL's physically strongest players ever, while also capable of using his speed against defenders.
Clinton Earl Portis is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. Portis was best known for being the starting running back for the Washington Redskins for seven seasons, in which he gained an average of 81.2 yards rushing per game, for which a select panel of celebrities included him as one of the 80 Greatest Redskins.
Chris Samuels is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. Selected third overall in the 2000 NFL draft, Samuels played his entire pro career for the NFL's Washington Redskins and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.
James Arthur Zorn is an American former professional football player and coach. Zorn was a left-handed quarterback, and is best known as the starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks for their first eight seasons. He was the quarterback coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2001 until the 2007 season. Before the 2008 season Zorn was originally hired by the Washington Redskins to serve as offensive coordinator. Two weeks after being hired, he was promoted as the team's head coach.
Joseph John Bugel was an American professional football coach in the National Football League (NFL). For many years, he was acknowledged as the greatest offensive line coach in the league, particularly with the Washington Redskins under head coach Joe Gibbs in the 1980s. He was the architect behind "The Hogs", the Redskins' dominant offensive line that helped lead them to three Super Bowl wins.
Jeffrey Lynn Bostic is an American former professional football player who was a center for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. Named to the Pro Bowl in 1983, Bostic won three Super Bowls with the Redskins.
Randy Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft.
Cory Gene Raymer is an American former professional football player who was a center for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Raymer played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was honored as an All-American. A second-round pick in the 1995 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers of the NFL.
James Ninowski Jr., also known as Nino, was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected in the fourth round of the 1958 NFL draft.
The 1991 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and was the third year of the franchise under the ownership of Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson. This also marked Norv Turner's first year as offensive coordinator under head coach Jimmy Johnson. The Cowboys improved on their 7–9 record from 1990, finishing 11–5, and made the playoffs for the first time since 1985.
Gosder Cherilus is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College, and was selected by the Detroit Lions 17th overall in the 2008 NFL draft. Cherilus also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 2008 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 79th season in the National Football League (NFL), and their 75th as the Detroit Lions. The Lions made history by becoming the first team since the schedule was expanded to 16 games to finish winless. It is one of only four winless seasons since the merger.
Dan Miller is an American sportscaster based in Detroit, Michigan. He works as the sports director and anchor on WJBK and as a radio play-by-play announcer on the Detroit Lions Radio Network.
Philip Loadholt Jr. is a former American football offensive tackle and the current offensive line coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. He played college football at Oklahoma, and played for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) from 2009 until his retirement in 2015. Prior to joining Colorado’s coaching staff, he was an offensive analyst for Oklahoma from 2022–23. He also spent time as a player personnel analyst for Ole Miss (2020–21) and UCF (2017).
Alexander Boone is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He also played in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Seattle Seahawks.
The 2009 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 80th season overall in the National Football League (NFL). It was the first season with the Lions for new head coach Jim Schwartz, and most of his new coaching staff. The Lions also introduced slightly new uniforms and logos. The Lions improved upon their 0–16 record from the previous season. However, they missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season, which meant the Lions were one of two franchises, not including the Houston Texans, to not qualify for the playoffs in the 2000s, with the other team being the Buffalo Bills.
Joseph R. Long is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Long attended Wayne State University in Michigan and joined the St. Louis Rams as a free agent as he went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft. His brother is former offensive tackle Jake Long.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai is an American football offensive guard who is currently a free agent in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at TCU. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was born in Texas, but his parents are from Tonga.