Jon Jansen Released
One name fewer to include as you try to predict the Redskins' 2009 offensive line: Jon Jansen was released by the team today after a meeting this morning with owner Daniel M. Snyder, executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, and head coach Jim Zorn.
Jansen was the team's second-round pick in 1999, started at right tackle pretty much immediately, and has played in 126 games for the team since then, including 123 starts.
After the jump, a few quotes from the press release:
Owner Daniel M. Snyder:
"This morning, Coach Zorn, Vinny Cerrato and I met with Jon. I've developed a close relationship with Jon and his family over the last 10 years and I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a player. He has been an important part of our organization for the past decade. We wish Jon and his family the very best."
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato:
"Decisions like this are difficult, especially with someone like Jon, who has meant a great deal to our organization and community. Jon has been a fixture at the right tackle position for the past 10 seasons. He is a tough football player who played through injuries and displayed a great commitment to his teammates and coaches."
Head Coach Jim Zorn:
"We really admire Jon and the example that he set as a team leader both on and off the field. He is a professional who was a valuable part of this franchise for a long time. Jon worked hard, laid it on the line each week and on many occasions played with injuries. Though we have elected to move in another direction, we appreciate Jon's commitment, leadership and dedication to the Redskins organization."
Offensive Line Coach Joe Bugel:
"I had a great player-coach relationship with Jon. He is one of the toughest guys that I have ever coached. He was a great competitor who prepared well for each and every game. We appreciate his commitment to the Redskins and wish him the very best."
"This morning, Coach Zorn, Vinny Cerrato and I met with Jon. I've developed a close relationship with Jon and his family over the last 10 years and I have the utmost respect for him as a person and a player. He has been an important part of our organization for the past decade. We wish Jon and his family the very best."
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato:
"Decisions like this are difficult, especially with someone like Jon, who has meant a great deal to our organization and community. Jon has been a fixture at the right tackle position for the past 10 seasons. He is a tough football player who played through injuries and displayed a great commitment to his teammates and coaches."
Head Coach Jim Zorn:
"We really admire Jon and the example that he set as a team leader both on and off the field. He is a professional who was a valuable part of this franchise for a long time. Jon worked hard, laid it on the line each week and on many occasions played with injuries. Though we have elected to move in another direction, we appreciate Jon's commitment, leadership and dedication to the Redskins organization."
Offensive Line Coach Joe Bugel:
"I had a great player-coach relationship with Jon. He is one of the toughest guys that I have ever coached. He was a great competitor who prepared well for each and every game. We appreciate his commitment to the Redskins and wish him the very best."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-29-2009 @ 1:31PM
Tony said...
It sucks to see him released. I never thought he would be a starter this year, but he would have been a nice insurance policy. Oh well, Good luck Jon, and real Redskins fans have nothing but respect for you and all that you gave to us.
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5-29-2009 @ 1:37PM
LISkinsfan said...
What is the salary cap hit for releasing him? I thought it was big so they were keeping him as a reiable back-up - RT, C?
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5-29-2009 @ 1:44PM
lou22152 said...
eh, not such a big loss....Jansen should have left when gibbs did.
I'm more interested in investing into Williams and Bridges, Jansen was clearly old and washed up.
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5-29-2009 @ 1:48PM
careyd said...
Wow. Another longtime warrior on the line gone. He will get picked up though
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5-29-2009 @ 1:54PM
leo13gto said...
im hoping it was a salary cap move and that we would re-sign him to the vet minimum. what do you think Matt?
he has had bad luck thats all. he has been injured many times but i also think its been a little bit of lack preparation and maintaining his body healthy. but thank you Jon, really, you are and always will be one of the Redskins great.
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5-29-2009 @ 2:15PM
LISkinsfan said...
Gone is a real HOG, maybe the last?!! He may have slipped in pass protection, but showed he can run block (most of the time) I'm not sure about the cap savings, I think it'll cost us 1.3M either way. We lost Pete Kendall who started all games last year and would be a solid back-up too. 2 of 5 starters from last year gone and only Dock a proven replacement.
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5-29-2009 @ 2:22PM
jeanfinne said...
Am not sure of the business decision aspects. Jon would be a great asset as a back-up & teacher for the younger guys. Not sure this is a smart move. O-line needs so much help, to release such solid experience & team commitment seems a loss.
Thank you Jon Jansen
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6-01-2009 @ 7:26PM
rayrix said...
Jon "IS" in my opinion, a "TRUE HOG". It's possible that the opinion is that he should have left after "GIBBS". But, just think of the stability that he brought to the "ZORN ERA". When Campbell needed the support on the "O" line, he and Samuels protected him. Lets not forget that Campell needs stability for him to succeed. Jon would've been a great MENTOR to the new crop.
5-29-2009 @ 2:30PM
redskinfanmr said...
Good Luck to Jansen! Sorry to see him go I know he will be picked up somewhere else will be strange to see him in another uniform. I wish him the very best! God bless him! HTTR!!
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5-29-2009 @ 2:39PM
LISkinsfan said...
Anyone understand why they released him now? Even if he is washed-up (I don't agree 100%), what do we gain by cutting him now as opposed to waiting to see if these prospects pan out?
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5-29-2009 @ 4:43PM
Skinsfan43 said...
Pete Kendall and Jon was true warriors, as for Pete he was not able to practice doing the week which is a problems, you have to be able to practice doing the week against the defense that you are going to be playing against so you will be use to seeing the way they are going to be playing, and as for Jon we all knew his time was up, he got beat out of his position last year by Heyer and the only reason he got his position back was because Heyer got hurt, which in turn made us have a drop off in the passing game.
Jon is a TRUE REDSKINS, THANKS JON FOR THE 10 YEARS.
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5-29-2009 @ 2:45PM
goodlooking522000 said...
I knew he would leave sooner or later but he will be deeply missed. I wish him luck and he will always be a Redskin..
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5-29-2009 @ 2:48PM
joeedwards5 said...
It's a bittersweet day for Redskins fans. Jon Jansen in his prime was a very good RT & a great character guy. He always gave a great interview & was very personable. He did slip last year in his pass blocking. Alot of the sacks on Jason came from that right side. He was making a pretty penny too which I believe played into the decision.
With this move I would bet that Bridges, Heyer & Williams make the team, 1 starts at RT & the others are backup RT & LT.
I believe if Jansen doesn't get picked up, he'll make his transition to the media.
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5-29-2009 @ 2:49PM
Joe Edwards said...
It's a bittersweet day for Redskins fans. Jon Jansen in his prime was a very good RT & a great character guy. He always gave a great interview & was very personable. He did slip last year in his pass blocking. Alot of the sacks on Jason came from that right side. He was making a pretty penny too which I believe played into the decision.
With this move I would bet that Bridges, Heyer & Williams make the team, 1 starts at RT & the others are backup RT & LT.
I believe if Jansen doesn't get picked up, he'll make his transition to the media.
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5-29-2009 @ 3:13PM
abrlcklnthewall said...
He did an amazing job coming back from that Achilles rupture and then the ankle break, but it was pretty obvious he was on the way out when they were having Heyer start those few games.
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5-29-2009 @ 3:36PM
Sean said...
Hey was good until that nasty break in the hall of fame game some years back. He was never the same after that.
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5-29-2009 @ 3:40PM
rufwork said...
I'm going to guess from what little we're hearing that Zorn was scared Jansen would go cancerous if he wasn't starting. He wasn't happy last year, and if the salary hit is as is being reported (about as much staying as going), there's no way the Skins value a well-behaved Jansen *less* than a green newbie. That is, we're just talking a roster spot opening by releasing for a team that's got no o-line depth.
So yeah, he must not have been happy with second string. REALLY not happy.
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5-29-2009 @ 4:19PM
dutchnblue said...
I live in michigan and have been a fan ever since his days as a wolverine he will be missed by true skins fans!
Go Blue!
HTTR!
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5-29-2009 @ 4:21PM
Jason said...
I'm glad they chose to bite the salary cap bullet now, rather than overpay for another year and then have to take the hit anyways.
I'm also glad that Jansen got treated with some respect (the opposite of a Derrick Brooks in Tampa) on the way out too, he's earned it.
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5-29-2009 @ 4:22PM
SEJerome said...
I am surprised!! What are the options at RT for the Skins now? Aren't the Skins a little thin on the line? He could've been a backup at different spots on the line. Why cut him this early? Again, another one of those questionable moves by the 'Skins this offseason.
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