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Jets deal for RT Jason Smith

Four days after saying they had no plans to trade demoted right tackle Wayne Hunter, the New York Jets did just that Monday night, dealing him to the St. Louis Rams for former first-round pick Jason Smith.

The trade agreement, confirmed by the Jets, amounts to a swap of disappointing right tackles. Both players, who will take physicals Tuesday, had lost their starting jobs.

The embattled Hunter, vilified by fans and media, was benched last Thursday in favor of Austin Howard. The journeyman tackle played well Sunday night against the Carolina Panthers and will remain the starter, according to a source.

Smith, the second overall pick in 2009, took a massive pay cut last spring and lost his job at the start of training camp to Barry Richardson, a stunning downfall for the former Baylor standout. After three seasons of injuries and ineffectiveness, the Rams finally decided to move on.

Basically, Smith will assume Hunter's role as the swing tackle off the bench, also contributing as an extra blocker/tight end in their jumbo package.

Unless Smith restructures his contract, the swap will cost the Jets an additional $1.55 million for 2012 -- the difference in guaranteed salaries for the two players. Smith is due to make $4 million, Hunter $2.45 million.

The Jets had no intention of dealing Hunter, but they received a call from the Rams shortly after demoting him, a source said. Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who held the same position with the Jets from 2006 to 2011, always held Hunter in high regard.

On Sunday night, Hunter struggled again in a backup role, surrendering a fourth-quarter sack at left tackle. Behind the Jets' bench, he was verbally abused by unruly fans. Hunter lost his temper and had to be restrained by teammate Vladimir Ducasse, according to a team source. In the previous game, Hunter allowed 2.5 sacks against the New York Giants.