Jonathan Goodwin life and biography

NFL CAREER

Goodwin assumed leadership of the offensive line in 2008, taking the reins as the club’s starting center and stewarding a unit that has surrendered only 33 sacks in two seasons. He's distinguished himself in both pass protection and run blocking and also making all the line calls, culminating with a Pro Bowl selection in 2009. In his career, Goodwin has opened 44 of 116 career contests, including all 16 he appeared in last season. He joined the Saints in 2006 after being signed as an unrestricted free agent from the New York Jets, where he showed his versatility by also opening 10 games at left guard. Goodwin was a solid performer while at the University of Michigan, starting 20 of 29 career games while playing every position on the offensive front other than left tackle.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Re-signed by Saints to a three-year contract, 2/27/08; Signed by the Saints to a two-year contract (UFA-NYJ), 3/27/06; Signed to one-year contract by New York Jets (RFA), 4/5/05; Signed to three-year contract by New York, 7/24/02; Selected by New York in fifth round (154th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.

HONORS/AWARDS:

2009: Pro Bowl.
2009- Was the starting center in all 16 games, the first time in his career he was in the starting lineup for each game of a season. Named to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl, his first career Pro Bowl berth. vs. Detroit (9/13): Started at C and helped lead the team to a 45-27 win that featured 515 yards of offense, 157 rushing yards and zero sacks allowed. at Philadelphia (9/20): Was the starting center in the team’s 48-22 victory. at Buffalo (9/27): Helped lead the way for the team’s 222 rushing yards from his starting center spot. vs. NY Jets (10/4): Started at C and helped the offense to 153 yards rushing and zero sacks allowed in the 24-10 victory over his former team. vs. NY Giants (10/18): Started at center and helped pace the offense’s 493-yard day in the 48-27 win over the Giants. at Miami (10/25): Was the starting center in the 46-34 victory. vs. Atlanta (11/2): Started at C in the 35-27 Monday Night win. vs. Carolina (11/8): Started at center in the win. at St. Louis (11/15): Was the starting center in the victory that featured 203 rushing yards by the team. at Tampa Bay (11/22): Started at C in the 38-7 victory. vs. New England (11/30): Was the starting center in the 38-17 victory on Monday Night Football. at Washington (12/6): Started at center in the win. at Atlanta (12/13): Was the starting center in the victory that saw Drew Brees not be sacked. vs. Dallas (12/19): Started at center. vs. Tampa Bay (12/27): Started at center. at Carolina (1/3): Started at center. vs. Arizona (1/16 – Divisional Playoff): Was the starting center in the victory, helping to lead the offense to 418 yards and allowing zero sacks. vs. Minnesota (1/24 – NFC Championship Game): Started at center in the win. vs. Indianapolis (2/7 – Super Bowl XLIV): Was the starting center in the win. 2008 – Started all 13 games he appeared in, missing three contests with an injured knee…Offensive line allowed only 13 sacks – a club record – despite the Saints leading the NFL in passing attempts…Injured his left knee at Carolina, Oct. 19, and would be on the inactive list for the next three games…Returned to action vs. Green Bay, Nov. 24, and the Saints would score 51 points…Played in his 100th career game vs. Carolina, Dec. 28. 2007 – Played in 13 games, starting two…On active roster but did not play in three contests…Appeared primarily on special teams until vs. Atlanta, Oct. 21, when he subbed for injured C Jeff Faine and threw a key block on a 24-yard touchdown run by RB Pierre Thomas…Started in victory at San Francisco, Oct. 28…Had a standout performance vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 4, helping offense to big day while taking on DT tandem of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud...Returned to special teams units for remainder of season. 2006 – Appeared in all 16 games, primarily on special teams, also played center vs. Carolina, Dec. 31. 2005 – Saw action on offensive line and on special teams for first five weeks…Came off bench in Week Six at Buffalo after C Kevin Mawae was injured…Had fourth career start (at LG) at Atlanta, Oct. 24, where he started the rest of season. 2004 – Saw time on special teams and as reserve at guard …Made first career start at right guard vs. San Francisco, Oct. 17, and started the next two games. 2003 – Played in 15 games, mostly on special teams, and was also in rotation at right guard. 2002 – Played in 13 of 16 games, primarily on special teams.

COLLEGE
Began career at Ohio University before transferring to Michigan in 1998…Started 20 of 29 career games…Played four positions (center, right guard, left guard and right tackle) for the Wolverines…All-Big 10 as a senior…Sat out 1998 under NCAA transfer rules…Started every game at right guard as a freshman at Ohio.

PERSONAL
Brother, Harold (1995-96) played at guard at Michigan… Sports Management and Communications major...“Top 100” choice as a senior at Lower Richland (S.C.) as a senior…Born Dec. 2, 1978 in Columbia, S.C.

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