MTK
08-17-2004, 03:55 PM
WP Email Newsletter
Injured tackle Jon Jansen began the arduous process of getting used to being a spectator Saturday night when he watched the Redskins fall, 23-20, to Carolina in overtime at FedEx Field. Jansen had started 80 straight games since being drafted out of the University of Michigan in 2000 but was lost of the season when he ruptured his Achilles tendon (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=d59ef35fc3caa2c2fcbd0fe9ab25963a&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D94FD5865884F3FB4312C0) in the preseason opener Monday.
Jansen, who was back Monday at Redskins Park on crutches, is going to work with the coaches and his teammates to aid their cause but is not expected to be able to get on the field for at least six months. He could be off the crutches in about six weeks, however, and plans to be a presence around the team by then.
"Once I can get around and not be hobbling so much, I'll be out there a lot more and still be a part of this team and contribute as much as I can," Jansen said. "It was really tough the other night to watch the guys play and not be a part of it. They're at the party and I didn't get the invite. That's the toughest part, but I'll be back next year and I'll be back this year with being able to help the guys out."
Jansen did not miss a play while at Michigan and has never had to endure an injury like this before. He felt the offensive line, (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=296aace08d0b78125a32bdce79df5ef9&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D95FC5865884F3FB4312C0) with Kenyatta Jones (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=20ba80e4c10e8f47838bb57d250ef04b&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D92FF5865884F3FB4312C0) now starting at right tackle, held up well Saturday against Carolina's fierce defensive line. Randy Thomas also returned from injury to the starting right guard spot, and there will surely be an adjustment on that side of the line with the new personnel.
"I think they played aggressively," Jansen said of the offensive line. "Obviously, there are still a lot of areas that they still need to work on, but thankfully we have an extra preseason game and that's going to work in our favor. . . . Kenyatta has played right tackle before. Obviously, he's never played next to Randy, so there's going to be a feeling out process. But it's easier to plug one guy in than five guys together. So the group will take him in and bring him along."
Jansen will be joining his teammates at meetings, watching film and paying close attention during games to pass along any pointers and help the linemen prepare for upcoming opponents.
TV Ratings Up
The Redskins' preseason home opener on Saturday night posted an overnight rating of 18.2 at its peak, according to a team news release, outdrawing the Olympics in the Washington area. The game was broadcast by WUSA 9 and Comcast SportsNet HDTV and went up against the first night of prime time Olympic coverage. The game achieved an average household rating of 14.7 and a 23 share for WUSA. Last season's preseason opener, also against Carolina, drew a 11.9 household rating. Much of this year's additional viewership is being attributed to the return of Coach Joe Gibbs.
Barrow Out Again
Linebacker Mike Barrow (tendonitis in knee) again missed practice Monday and said there is no firm timetable for his return. Barrow, who suffered the injury originally during a passing camp at the end of July, saw a knee specialist recently for a second opinion and has been out about a week now, unable to put pads on for drills. "It's kind of frustrating," Barrow said. "I don't have any idea of when I'm going to play, but we're doing everything possible we can do. Right now, it's just taking some time." . . . Tight end Fred Baxter did not take the field Monday, wearing a brace on his injured right knee. Cornerback Rashad Bauman (hamstring), cornerback Rufus Brown (quadriceps contusion), linebacker Chris Clemmons (hamstring), wide receiver Cliff Russell (hamstring), running back Chad Morton (sore ankle), receiver James Thrash (tight hamstring) and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (sore groin) also missed practice and are listed as day-to-day, Tyer said.
-- By Jason La Canfora and Nunyo Demasio
Injured tackle Jon Jansen began the arduous process of getting used to being a spectator Saturday night when he watched the Redskins fall, 23-20, to Carolina in overtime at FedEx Field. Jansen had started 80 straight games since being drafted out of the University of Michigan in 2000 but was lost of the season when he ruptured his Achilles tendon (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=d59ef35fc3caa2c2fcbd0fe9ab25963a&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D94FD5865884F3FB4312C0) in the preseason opener Monday.
Jansen, who was back Monday at Redskins Park on crutches, is going to work with the coaches and his teammates to aid their cause but is not expected to be able to get on the field for at least six months. He could be off the crutches in about six weeks, however, and plans to be a presence around the team by then.
"Once I can get around and not be hobbling so much, I'll be out there a lot more and still be a part of this team and contribute as much as I can," Jansen said. "It was really tough the other night to watch the guys play and not be a part of it. They're at the party and I didn't get the invite. That's the toughest part, but I'll be back next year and I'll be back this year with being able to help the guys out."
Jansen did not miss a play while at Michigan and has never had to endure an injury like this before. He felt the offensive line, (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=296aace08d0b78125a32bdce79df5ef9&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D95FC5865884F3FB4312C0) with Kenyatta Jones (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=20ba80e4c10e8f47838bb57d250ef04b&lat=1092768862&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0453D92FF5865884F3FB4312C0) now starting at right tackle, held up well Saturday against Carolina's fierce defensive line. Randy Thomas also returned from injury to the starting right guard spot, and there will surely be an adjustment on that side of the line with the new personnel.
"I think they played aggressively," Jansen said of the offensive line. "Obviously, there are still a lot of areas that they still need to work on, but thankfully we have an extra preseason game and that's going to work in our favor. . . . Kenyatta has played right tackle before. Obviously, he's never played next to Randy, so there's going to be a feeling out process. But it's easier to plug one guy in than five guys together. So the group will take him in and bring him along."
Jansen will be joining his teammates at meetings, watching film and paying close attention during games to pass along any pointers and help the linemen prepare for upcoming opponents.
TV Ratings Up
The Redskins' preseason home opener on Saturday night posted an overnight rating of 18.2 at its peak, according to a team news release, outdrawing the Olympics in the Washington area. The game was broadcast by WUSA 9 and Comcast SportsNet HDTV and went up against the first night of prime time Olympic coverage. The game achieved an average household rating of 14.7 and a 23 share for WUSA. Last season's preseason opener, also against Carolina, drew a 11.9 household rating. Much of this year's additional viewership is being attributed to the return of Coach Joe Gibbs.
Barrow Out Again
Linebacker Mike Barrow (tendonitis in knee) again missed practice Monday and said there is no firm timetable for his return. Barrow, who suffered the injury originally during a passing camp at the end of July, saw a knee specialist recently for a second opinion and has been out about a week now, unable to put pads on for drills. "It's kind of frustrating," Barrow said. "I don't have any idea of when I'm going to play, but we're doing everything possible we can do. Right now, it's just taking some time." . . . Tight end Fred Baxter did not take the field Monday, wearing a brace on his injured right knee. Cornerback Rashad Bauman (hamstring), cornerback Rufus Brown (quadriceps contusion), linebacker Chris Clemmons (hamstring), wide receiver Cliff Russell (hamstring), running back Chad Morton (sore ankle), receiver James Thrash (tight hamstring) and defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (sore groin) also missed practice and are listed as day-to-day, Tyer said.
-- By Jason La Canfora and Nunyo Demasio