Hanson signed a multi-year deal with the Lions after a career year in 2008. (Photo: G. Smith)

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- As free agency begins, the Detroit Lions can sit tight knowing they have one of their key players inked for 2009 and beyond.

Kicker Jason Hanson, who is entering his 18th NFL season and 18th with the Lions, signed a multi-year deal on February 17 to stay in Detroit through 2013. For Hanson and his family, it is the ideal situation to remain with the team he has spent his entire NFL career with.

“I got a nice deal here and it’s where we wanted to be,” said Hanson. “It worked out, so there wasn’t much hesitation as far as being able to stay here in Detroit where I’ve been my whole career.”

Though he is going on two decades as an NFL kicker, Hanson is actually coming off a career year in which he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. He lead the league with eight 50+-yard field goals, becoming the first player in NFL history to go eight-for-eight on 50+-yard field goals in a single season.

He also set an NFL record when he connected on his 41st-career 50-yard field goal.

“You always want to be around because you can still do what you’ve always done – not because they feel like, ‘Well, let’s give them another year,’” said Hanson. “You want it to be because you’re on top of your game – that’s the goal of a professional athlete.

“Obviously as I get older, I’m sure it will be harder, but that’s the obligation I signed up for is to make sure I’m at peak performance every year. Physically, I feel like I can still do it so that feels good to be re-signed because of what I’m going to do, not because of what I’ve done.”

Having been around since 1992, Hanson has seen his share of coaches, teammates, successful years and not-so-successful years. But last season was even a first for him as the Lions finished the year 0-16.

For Hanson and his teammates, getting away from football after the season ended served them well and, as the new coaching staff continues to progress toward 2009, hope is growing with the rebuilding that is being done.

“Obviously next year’s team will be a lot different than last year’s team,” said Hanson. “It’s always been that way. There’s a few of us that have been around that kind of carry the thoughts and emotions of years past, but for the most part, it’s like, ‘Last season’s done with.’

“You feel a little detached already as in, ‘Okay, what do I care now because it’s a whole new season; I have to do it all over again – myself and the team are going to be totally different.’ Everything’s different here, so it feels different already. Obviously when we start our offseason workouts, getting ready for next year will start right then.”

Hanson and his fellow special teamers - P Nick Harris and LS Don Muhlbach - will have the continuity of their special teams coaches. Both special teams coordinator Stan Kwan and assistant special teams coach Bradford Banta were retained from the previous coaching staff. (Photo: G. Smith)

Hanson has met Head Coach Jim Schwartz and says he enjoyed the quick meeting and that Schwartz seems “real” and “honest.”

“Not that I’m the judge,” added Hanson. “Even if he wasn’t honest, you still do whatever he says.”

With the newness of the head coach, coordinators and multiple assistants, Hanson and his fellow special teamers have some continuity moving into 2009. Both special teams coordinator Stan Kwan and assistant special teams coach Bradford Banta were retained from the previous coaching staff.

Kwan has been with the Lions for 10 total seasons, while Banta is a former player - who was a Lions' long snapper from 2001-03 - came on board as a coach in Detroit last year.

“For me, and I’m probably speaking for Nick (Harris) as well, it’s really good,” said Hanson of the pair staying in Detroit. “Not just because we can feel comfortable because our coach is around, but because – with kicking – there’s specific routines and there’s ways to get ready for Sunday that are a little bit different. We work out with Stan how to do that and we’ve had some success on how to get our work done and also how to be in top form for Sunday.

“So to not have to work that out with another coach who might have a totally different philosophy is helpful and, really, special teams – for the most part – starts with kicking. If you don’t kick the ball well then it doesn’t matter what your coverage is like; it starts with the kick. So I think that was a real good decision to keep that the same and then build around that.”

Kwan and Banta aren’t the only coaches Hanson is familiar with.

Defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz, tight ends coach Tim Lappano and offensive line coach George Yarno were all assistant coaches at Washington State while Hanson was a collegiate there.

“I have wanted someone to ask me about them so I could comment on the incredible quality of our coaching staff,” said Hanson.

Hanson was at Washington State from 1988-91 and is considered one of the finest kickers to have ever played college football.

“Who knows if they would even remember who I am,” said Hanson. “I’ll have to re-introduce myself to them.”

When Hanson introduces himself – and one can only assume they will remember who he is – he may have to do so with a little apprehension … at least for one of his former coaches.

“Coach Karm – as we called him back then, I don’t know if he goes by that now – I knew him when I was just a young kid,” said Hanson. “I was just out of high school, so these were big, bad, mean coaches.

“So I’m still scared of him. I haven’t seen him in 20 years, but I’m scared.”