Jansen is ready to play ...

rick301 · Post by **rick301** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:10 am

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-47602sy0jul09,0,569941.story?coll=dp-sports-local

Jansen is ready to play after injury
Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen is fully recovered from a season-ending Achilles' tendon injury.

BY MICHAEL C. WRIGHT

July 9 2005

ASHBURN -- His sandals appeared ready to burst under the weight of 305 pounds rocking back and forth in a chair at Redskins Park.

Letting out a weak, almost rhythmic creaking noise, the plastic and rubber soles strained to hold together.

At the other end of his 6-foot-6 frame, the most glaring thing you can see are Jon Jansen's teeth. He's been showing those a lot these days because everything is finally back to normal after he missed last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Jansen, one of the NFL's most durable players, has missed just one play in his first five seasons with the Washington Redskins, starting in 80 games. Nicknamed "Rock," he earned a reputation for durability and toughness in college at Michigan, where he started a school-record 50 consecutive games at right tackle.

"I just thought I'd always be there," Jansen said. "Everybody else thought I'd always be there."

But he wasn't.

Writhing in pain on the Fawcett Stadium turf during the first quarter of the Redskins' 20-17 preseason win over the Denver Broncos last year, Jansen said he "knew before I hit the ground what had happened."

Recovery would take a full season. He knew that too.

"But still you think you can wake up the next day and you can tape it up," he said. "There's some way that you can make it feel OK to go out to play. For a long time, I thought maybe there was something I could do to get myself back faster."

Jansen couldn't.

So the Redskins eventually inserted then 41-year-old Ray Brown into the starting lineup at right tackle. He performed admirably, but the club's quarterbacks suffered a combined 37 sacks for 239 yards in lost yardage.

The team finished the season 6-10, in part because of shoddy line play.

"When that injury happened last year, it took quite a bit away from us," coach Joe Gibbs said. "We went through some instability there in the line for a while."

And Jansen, for the first time, had instability in his life.

He felt he was no longer part of the team and couldn't bear to watch game film with teammates because he hated "seeing someone else in his spot."

So he sat in the dark watching flickering game tapes alone. It was the only way he could stay sharp mentally while having some semblance of a team type of regimen.

"There was pretty much no good part about it," Jansen said. "If they were doing real well, then you'd kind of sit back going, 'I guess they don't really need me.' Whenever they struggled, you were thinking, 'I really wish I could be out there and help be a part of some solution.' "

Over time, those feelings subsided, and Jansen received medical clearance to play in January. The day after the Redskins' 21-18 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the season finale, the club held a team meeting and "I got to sit back in my old seat," he said.

Coaches discussed tweaking the playbook and plans for the offseason program. He was part of the team again; "Rock" was finally ready to roll.

"Obviously, not only from an ability standpoint, Jon brings a lot to the team," quarterback Patrick Ramsey said.

"He's a vocal guy and a guy with a great attitude. He seems to be very healthy. He's worked every day out here, and I haven't seen him even sore yet. Needless to say, we're all excited about having him back."

Fully healed, Jansen says his injured Achilles' tendon isn't stiff during workouts and he doesn't have to ice it after practice. He doesn't even think about last year's season-ending injury.

He is too busy joking, laughing, showing those teeth.

Jansen looks forward to "the first day of training camp, when I get to put the pads back on and I get to really feel what it is to be a football player again.

"I enjoy the contact, I enjoy the physicality of the game," he said.

Leaning forward in the chair, he pulls back his baseball cap and wipes his sweaty brow. He is fidgeting - those sandals creaking a little louder as he awaits the end of the interview.

Hiding in a doorway of the club's facility, Brown yells out to Jansen: "The beer is getting warm." He snickers.

It's been a long time since Jansen has been able to laugh. Seemingly longer since he's been able to play football.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:18 am

That was Cory Raymer that yelled the beer's getting warm there fella.

gay4pacman · Post by **gay4pacman** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:47 am

It is so great having Jansen back! He is such a force physically and has the leadership abilities to pull our line together and make the "dirtbags" one of the most powerful and dominant lines in the nfl! Go Jansen! its great to have you back!

hatsOFF2gibbs · Post by **hatsOFF2gibbs** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:55 pm

He's going to be a key factor in CPortis' break out year. With Jansen, Samuels, and now Rabach...it's going to be solid.

,,,,well...at least...it SHOULD be!

ejay183 · Post by **ejay183** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 1:12 pm

hatsOFF2gibbs wrote:He's going to be a key factor in CPortis' break out year. With Jansen, Samuels, and now Rabach...it's going to be solid.

,,,,well...at least...it SHOULD be!

You forgot about Randy Thomas

SKINZ_DOMIN8 · Post by **SKINZ_DOMIN8** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:20 pm

I will believe it when I believe it. That injury is very hard to come back from.

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:36 pm

We hope Jansen is ready to play. We won't know until he plays. His injury was serious and complete recovery is problematic. Another factor affecting Jansen will be rust. Yet another thing to worry about is his lacklustre year under Spurrier the year before last. We can hope, but the old Jansen's return is not a done deal.

EasyMoney · Post by **EasyMoney** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:18 pm

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:I will believe it when I believe it. That injury is very hard to come back from.

Geez, come on SKINZ_DOMIN8. You will believe it when you believe it? So what you're saying is even if he has a monster year and makes the probowl, you still wont believe it until you believe it? I don't mean to pick on grammatical errors but it seems like you use this same logic with everything!

crazyhorse1 wrote:We hope Jansen is ready to play. We won't know until he plays. His injury was serious and complete recovery is problematic. Another factor affecting Jansen will be rust. Yet another thing to worry about is his lacklustre year under Spurrier the year before last. We can hope, but the old Jansen's return is not a done deal.

Corey Raymer had this same injury and he bounced back. Do you guys not remember that he could've played the last 3 or 4 games of the season but couldn't because he was placed on IR? Sometimes you guys act like you want him to fail. Rust is probably the only thing hindering Jansen at this point. I think he'll be fine by the time Week 1 rolls around.

SKINZ_DOMIN8 · Post by **SKINZ_DOMIN8** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 6:15 pm

That is an old Yogi Berra line/play on words.

Yes Jansen has to prove everything to me just as all the other "names" on this team do. I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:08 pm

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:That is an old Yogi Berra line/play on words.

Yes Jansen has to prove everything to me just as all the other "names" on this team do. I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

Are you sure you are a skins fan? I understand that you are frustrated, we all are, but you say something negative about every player on our team. Try being positive

SKINZ_DOMIN8 · Post by **SKINZ_DOMIN8** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:28 pm

sch1977 wrote:
SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:That is an old Yogi Berra line/play on words.

Yes Jansen has to prove everything to me just as all the other "names" on this team do. I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

Are you sure you are a skins fan? I understand that you are frustrated, we all are, but you say something negative about every player on our team. Try being positive

Thats because as of late the large majority of the players on this team are underachievers or are always injured and running their mouths. I don't need to mention any names.

I will say that I am optimistic about this team AS A WHOLE for this upcoming season. Why?? Because even the law of averages says we should win at least 8 to 9 games this season with the talent we have. And history also suggests that the losers of the superbowl don't do well next season so that is one less team for us to worry about.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:05 pm

..I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

And you wonder why we "see" you as being a not positive fan/person? This guy is one of the team's key people. How can you think we might do well as a team without a normal season from Jansen (alias the "Rock")?

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

NO!

.. I am optimistic about this team AS A WHOLE for this upcoming season. Why?? Because even the law of averages says we should win at least 8 to 9 games this season with the talent we have. And history also suggests that the losers of the superbowl don't do well next season so that is one less team for us to worry about.

Now, that is amazing! Is this the sort of logic that you really use in your feelings about how well a team will do or not? The law of averages and "history"?

We probably should be really worried if any Redskin is on the cover of SI!

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 9:17 pm

Ugh ok this crap has to stop Skinz Domin8. Jansen doesn't have jack squat to prove to you. The man worked his butt off not only prior to his injury but afterwards to guarentee he'd return at 100%. Please please meet me at camp, I'd love to see you say that to Jon Jansen's face. I'm sure you don't have the guts to even consider whispering it from behind the crowd. Jon is a damned hard worker and has done nothing but great things for this team. Please do us all a favor and go become an Eagles fan or something. T.O is just as tempermental as you are. Oh and just a clue real fans don't say things like "the large majority of the players on this team are underachievers" or " I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year." So again go jump on another bandwagon the Redskin's will be full when the players "prove" themselves to you.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 10:06 pm

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:That is an old Yogi Berra line/play on words.

Yes Jansen has to prove everything to me just as all the other "names" on this team do. I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

I don't think Jon has anything to prove .....

You on the other hand Mr. S_D8 you have to prove that you can read and understand the rules of this board, and that you aren't breaking them just to break them.

http://www.the-hogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12289

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:01 am

Skinz is right. Jansen is on a rough road back to dominance, and skin fans should understand and appreciate that. To expect too much too soon is not fair to the man. He's probably not going to be the team's savior-- at least not right away. Don't put that on the guy. A lot of people on this site think supporting a team involves establishing B.S. expectations. It doesn't. A real fan stands behind a team-- win or lose.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:23 am

While I agree with standing behind a team win or lose, I'm expecting more then just solid RT stuff from Jansen. He was a very vocal leader of the team and he was Ramsey's biggest cheer leader. Watch all the great QB's. Do they get up from the pile on their own. When they mess up who gives them a little pat on the butt and tells them to try it again?? Cool

ey kind of filled that role last year but with Cool

ey and Jansen healthy and playing I expect Patrick's confidence to soar. It isn't only about seeing a solid lineman out there to me. It's about seeing a team player. And if he can provide that we are already one step ahead of where we were last year.

Post by **admin** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:59 am

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

Now, that's funny.

Maybe if you said... 'I could be wrong, though I usually just ignore it when someone takes the trouble to meaningfully show me the error of my logic.'

Yes Jansen has to prove everything to me

I'm sure JJ has already started working on how he's going to impress you... after all, you're rarely wrong. :roll:

Thanks for your time Skins_DominHate.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:31 am

crazyhorse1 wrote:Skinz is right. Jansen is on a rough road back to dominance, and skin fans should understand and appreciate that. To expect too much too soon is not fair to the man. He's probably not going to be the team's savior-- at least not right away. Don't put that on the guy. A lot of people on this site think supporting a team involves establishing B.S. expectations. It doesn't. A real fan stands behind a team-- win or lose.

There is a difference betwenn BS and saying only negative things about our team. Every player has a rough road to dominance, not just players coming back from injury. For someone to say Jansen has something to prove because he was injured is ridiculous. Is it going to be tough, sure, but why dont WE as skins fans stand behind him and leave the negativity to the fans of other teams.

SKINZ_DOMIN8 · Post by **SKINZ_DOMIN8** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:45 am

SkinsJock wrote:
..I am pessimistic about him coming back and having a "dominant" year.

And you wonder why we "see" you as being a not positive fan/person? This guy is one of the team's key people. How can you think we might do well as a team without a normal season from Jansen (alias the "Rock")?

But I could be wrong, though that is very, extremely, rare.

NO!

.. I am optimistic about this team AS A WHOLE for this upcoming season. Why?? Because even the law of averages says we should win at least 8 to 9 games this season with the talent we have. And history also suggests that the losers of the superbowl don't do well next season so that is one less team for us to worry about.

Now, that is amazing! Is this the sort of logic that you really use in your feelings about how well a team will do or not? The law of averages and "history"?

We probably should be really worried if any Redskin is on the cover of SI!

I stand by everything I have said. We will not have a "dominant" year. No way. Meaning we won't win 10 or more games. But I would gladly settle for being in contention during the last weeks of the season.

gus · Post by **gus** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:04 pm

The Redskins have given fans every right to be pessimistic for the results of the last 5 seasons or maybe more. If we are still here is cause we are diehard fans.

Pessimistics are sometimes good to have around, cause they lift the spirits of the rest of the fans who trully believe.

GO JANSEN, GO SKINS.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:25 pm

Remember, Skinz and Crazy - Jansen got hurt in the preseason of last year. It's not as if he was hurt late in the season. He has had ample time to recover and will be in training camp/preseason to shake the rust. Furthermore, Crazy - you said something about BS expectations - does that go for BS pessimism as well? Take some of your own medicine and stop being so freakin' negative. Look at the definition of a fanatic or fan:

fa•nat•ic P Pronunciation Key (f -n t k)
n.
A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.

fan2 P Pronunciation Key (f n)
n.
An ardent devotee; an enthusiast.

I don't think you guys fit the definition of a fan, at least a fan of the Redskins. Must you bash EVERYTHING that EVERYONE says around here? It's played out....

Win or lose, I've always been a fan of this team. I'll always hold out (realistic) hope b/c that's what being a fan is about.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:38 pm

Redskins1974 wrote:Remember, Skinz and Crazy - Jansen got hurt in the preseason of last year. It's not as if he was hurt late in the season. He has had ample time to recover and will be in training camp/preseason to shake the rust. Furthermore, Crazy - you said something about BS expectations - does that go for BS pessimism as well? Take some of your own medicine and stop being so freakin' negative. Look at the definition of a fanatic or fan:

fa•nat•ic P Pronunciation Key (f -n t k)
n.
A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause.

fan2 P Pronunciation Key (f n)
n.
An ardent devotee; an enthusiast.

I don't think you guys fit the definition of a fan, at least a fan of the Redskins. Must you bash EVERYTHING that EVERYONE says around here? It's played out....

Win or lose, I've always been a fan of this team. I'll always hold out (realistic) hope b/c that's what being a fan is about.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:38 pm

The most key point anyone has made in this entire thread:

Must you bash EVERYTHING that EVERYONE says around here? It's played out....

PLEASE READ THIS OVER AND OVER CRAZY AND DOMIN8!!!

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 2:41 pm

Even though I completely disagree with 'I_H8_the_SKINZ', at least he is consistent this time. First, LaVar is way overrated, now Jansen has to prove himself. Apparently, injuries automatically spell doom for every successful athlete - ever. :roll:

And I couldn't resist putting this up:

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:I stand by everything I have said. We will not have a "dominant" year. No way. Meaning we won't win 10 or more games.

_________________
Hail to the Redskins. Everything else is inferior. Guess who's not a HOMER on this site.

Take a look at the signature. What the ?

For a guy who does nothing but pour constant criticism over pretty much the entire team, and never fails to point out that "the Skins are gonna suck," and "I am always right," it doesn't sound like the signature fits.

How can you say the Redskins (coaches, players, waterboys, etc.) are basically terrible at everything, yet, everything else is inferior?

Also, your screen name does no justice to your always-pessimistic posts. My 2 cents

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 3:04 pm

There's no reason to think Jansen cannot recover 100% from this injury.

Sometimes players actually gain strength with the surgery, and the re-rupture rate is very low.

I'm not worried about Jansen at all.

I'm a little worried about Bowen. SOmetimes players lose that explosiveness after an injury of his type. I hope he still hits like a truck.