Hunter and Smith get Fresh Starts; I believe Howard keeps Job

The Jets swapped disappointment tackles with the Rams when they sent Wayne Hunter to St. Louis for Jason Smith.  I was in the middle of recording a podcast with my brother so if you feel like hearing our reaction as it was happening, go give it a listen.

Maybe I’m stating the obvious, but I am convinced this trade has nothing to do with replacing Austin Howard but everything to do with getting rid of Wayne Hunter.  I believe his mental state of mind was at the point that he wasn’t even going to be effective in his newly demoted role as a Jumbo TE.  Wayne Hunter was a dead man walking around Florham park, and the Jets did a nice guy a favor and shipped him to his former offenisve coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer.

Hunter had nothing to Smile about with the Jets.

damienwoody I’ll say this about Wayne Hunter…..great teammate & true professional. Not a lot of ppl could’ve handled his situation the way he did 8/27/12 9:52 PM

I think Jason Smith wasn’t targeted by the Jets, but was thrown in there as what I call a “Science Project” (a low risk, high reward attempt to resurrect a high draft pick’s career).  See Aaron Maybin.

Smith won’t be on the Jets Next Year

Smith is due to receive a roster bonus of $11.25 million on the first day of the league year.  The entire 2013 year voids if he participates in 31 percent of the snaps.  As a source with knowledge of the contract explained the deal to PFT, the 2013 year will be gone one way or another, and the franchise tag can’t be used on Smith next season.

So if he plays well, he’ll hit the open market.  If he doesn’t, the Jets won’t want to keep him around. via – PFT

Wayne Hunter is a nice guy who went down the path of mental hell and couldn’t come back from in, at least in New York.  I wish nothing but the best for him and a fresh start.