NFL

Jets get Smith from Rams for Hunter

Countdown to Kickoff: Jets
Countdown to Kickoff: Jets
Share This Story

Updated Aug 28, 2012 12:12 PM ET
     
 

NEW YORK (AP)

The Jets and Rams swapped struggling right tackles Monday night as New York acquired Jason Smith from St. Louis for Wayne Hunter.

Rex Ryan

LATEST JETS MESS

Both the Jets and Kenny Zuckerman, Hunter's agent, confirmed the deal, adding that it was pending physicals on Tuesday.

Smith was the No. 2 overall pick by the Rams in the 2009 draft, but failed to live up to lofty expectations and lost his starting job. Free agent Barry Richardson has started at right tackle all preseason ahead of Smith, who has been plagued by concussion problems and ineffectiveness throughout his career.

Hunter was demoted to the jumbo tight end spot and replaced by Austin Howard last week after struggling in the first two games of the preseason while coming off a rough first year as the Jets' starter at right tackle. But the Jets made it clear he was still in their plans for this season when they didn't cut him before the start of free agency — allowing his contract to become guaranteed for $2.45 million.

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that Smith is expected to serve in the same role Hunter was expected to fill, and Howard will be the starter at right tackle. The Jets had no intention of trading Hunter — but then the Rams called to inquire about a deal and both teams thought the players would benefit from a change of scenery, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither team had discussed details of the trade.

The Rams thought they had drafted a cornerstone player for their offensive line when they took Smith out of Baylor, signing him to a six-year contract with $33 million in guarantees. But Smith sustained a concussion as a rookie, and has been limited to only 29 games in his three seasons.

St. Louis appeared to have been down on Smith for some time, making him take a pay cut from $10 million to $4 million in April.

Now, he'll get a chance to rejuvenate his career with the Jets, likely competing with Howard for the starting spot.

THE LATEST ON TEBOW

One of New York's biggest question marks heading into the season was at right tackle, and it did little in the offseason to address the position. The Jets traded for former Panthers first-rounder Jeff Otah before training camp, but he failed his physical and was eventually returned to Carolina.

Hunter was slated to be the starter despite his struggles, and offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo expressed his faith in the right tackle during the spring.

''Until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office, that son of a gun's going to be the starting right tackle, and he's going to play well,'' DeGuglielmo said in May.

Coach Rex Ryan decided last week to put Hunter back in his role as the sixth offensive lineman — a spot in which he excelled before taking over for the retired Damien Woody last season. The Jets said they would not trade Hunter, but rather he would serve in the valuable jumbo tight end spot.

Howard started at right tackle against Carolina on Sunday night and was solid, not allowing any sacks and keeping Charles Johnson away from Mark Sanchez.

''Austin Howard had a nice game for us,'' Ryan said after the Jets' 17-12 loss.

The Rams suddenly have a plethora of former Jets, including Hunter, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, quarterback Kellen Clemens, offensive lineman Robert Turner, tight end Matthew Mulligan and defensive end Vernon Gholston, New York's first-round pick in 2008.

Tagged: Rams, Jets, Wayne Hunter, Jason Smith, Panthers, Austin Howard
Play FOX Fantasy Football!

Related Stories

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
FOX Fantasy Football

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NFL Videos

Chad Johnson released from jail Posted: Jun 17, 2013
Chad Johnson talks about his experience in jail and what he learned from the jud...

Chad Johnson not regretful, going to McDonald's Posted: Jun 17, 2013
Chad Johnson talks after leaving jail, discussing his post lockup plans and whet...

Schrager: Weekend recap Posted: Jun 17, 2013
Peter Schrager talks Phil Mickelson, the Stanley Cup, the NBA Finals, and the my...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green - http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/800466/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800466_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike New York Jets Just Do It T-Shirt - Green -
    Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Steelers/browse/featuredproduct/800489/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800489_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Pittsburgh Steelers Just Do It T-Shirt - Gold
    Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/801102/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801102_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike San Francisco 49ers Blockbuster T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/825450/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825450_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions Game Jersey - Light Blue
    Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/825465/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_825000/ff_825465_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots Game Jersey - Navy Blue
    Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/830781/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_830000/ff_830781_xl.jpg&w=100 94.95 Nike Eli Manning New York Giants Womens Game Jersey - Royal Blue
    Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/845755/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_845000/ff_845755_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Nike Peyton Manning Denver Broncos Game Jersey - Orange
    Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Jacksonville_Jaguars/browse/featuredproduct/851602/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851602_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 Nike Justin Blackmon Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Game Jersey - Teal
    New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/853845/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853845_xl.jpg&w=100 34.95 New Era Green Bay Packers On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Green
    New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/853852/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_853000/ff_853852_xl.jpg&w=100 34.95 New Era New Orleans Saints On-Field Performance 59FIFTY Fitted Hat - Black
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft