Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum says the team is standing by Wayne Hunter as their starting right tackle following the voided Jeff Otah trade. They need to keep searching. "He's our starting right tackle until that changes," said Tannenbaum. The Jets wouldn't have tried to acquire Otah if they had faith in Hunter. Perhaps eyeballing their Week 1 matchup with new Bills LE Mario Williams, the Jets will continue to look for upgrades at strong-side tackle.

Jets RT Wayne Hunter gave up 8.5 sacks and was flagged for 11 penalties in 2011.

Jets OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo was adamant Wednesday that Wayne Hunter will keep his starting right tackle job. "Until they ship him out of here or shoot me dead in my office, the guy's the starting right tackle," said DeGuglielmo. Hunter must impress in t-shirts and shorts at OTAs, because there's nothing to suggest he excels in a helmet and pads. We do think Hunter will bet out Vlad Ducasse, but that doesn't mean much.

Jets OC Tony Sparano was noncommittal Thursday when asked about his team's starting right tackle. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has mostly backed Wayne Hunter, but Sparano is smartly keeping his options open. Hunter was one of the worst starting linemen in football last season. In-house alternatives to Hunter include Austin Howard, Dennis Landolt, and former second-round bust Vladimir Ducasse.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum says OT Wayne Hunter "is our right tackle now." "The offensive line is something we'll continue to monitor over the next few weeks, as we will at all positions," Tannenbaum said. "When we get through the draft, we'll evaluate the depth chart." The Jets didn't draft any competition for Hunter through the first three rounds, so the odds are rapidly increasing he'll be able to beat out Vladimir Ducasse, and get paid $2.45 million in the process. Bills LE Mario Williams is licking his chops.

The National Football Post would not be surprised to see the Jets "trade a player or two" in order to clear some cap space this week. The Post thinks the Jets will trade "lower level players" in order to gain some flexibility during the draft. Wayne Hunter is currently penciled in as the team's starting right tackle, but Vladimir Ducasse is waiting in the wings. Due $2.45 million in 2012, the 30-year-old Hunter is a trade/release candidate.

Speaking at the owners meetings Tuesday, coach Rex Ryan confirmed Wayne Hunter is the Jets' starting right tackle "right now." Ryan left the door open for a camp competition with Vladimir Ducasse, but the Jets sound ready to go with a player who got routinely dominated in 2011 if they can't find an upgrade in the draft. It's bad news for Mark Sanchez, and excellent news for the left defensive ends of the AFC East.

The New York Daily News reports the Jets have been exploring the trade market for RT Wayne Hunter. The Jets were involved in discussions with at least one NFC, but failed to agree on terms. Although there is reportedly belief in the organization that Hunter could improve under the helpful arm of new coordinator Tony Sparano, shopping him around the league speaks volumes. Hunter was a major liability in pass protection last season.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum confirmed that he considers Wayne Hunter the team's starting right tackle entering 2012. "We expect Wayne back," said Tannenbaum. "We expect him to be our starter." The Jets already guaranteed Hunter's full $2.45 million base salary, so there's no doubt he'll return as a member of the 53-man roster. It seems like the Jets are having a lot of trouble admitting this mistake. Hunter was arguably the worst 16-game starter in football last season, regardless of position.

Jets RT Wayne Hunter's $2.45 million base salary became guaranteed Wednesday because the team did not release him. The Jets seemed to protect themselves in Hunter's 2011 contract by writing in a loophole to get out of the deal if they released him on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of this week. It never happened. Hunter, 30, was a media whipping boy in his first season as a starter, and for good reason. Pro Football Focus graded Hunter as the fifth-worst offensive tackle in football. Considering his salary, Hunter figures to return as a starter in 2012.