St. Louis Rams' Finances Could Dictate Jason Smith Trade

The St. Louis Rams' recent offensive line challenge trade—they sent former No. 2 pick Jason Smith to the Jets for Wayne Hunter—was more than a little confusing on its face. Smith was anything but successful in his endlessly frustrating, extraordinarily expensive career with the Rams, but Hunter is coming off a season that was apparently much worse by every statistical measure. All the braintrust could muster was some mild enthusiasm from (ex-Jets OC) Brian Schottenheimer. As it turns out, though, the trade might not have been about the Rams' offensive line at all. It might be about—stop me if you've heard this one—money.

Turf Show Times, in their excellent debriefing on the move, note that Hunter is not only cheaper than Smith but might also be cut himself; if Smith wasn't in their plans, I guess, the Rams might as well go about getting rid of him in the cheapest way possible. Between this and their note about Peter King, who seems to suggest the Rams were tired of Smith's listlessness, a trade that was inexplicable on its face begins to make a little more sense.

Jason Smith Trade: Wayne Hunter 'One Of Jets Worst Players'

St. Louis Rams fans became resigned to the struggles of former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith, but while the grass is usually greener on the other side, that may not be the case in the Smith deal.

Wayne Hunter, the offensive lineman they acquired from the New York Jets, has an even worse reputation amongst Jets fans. Over at Gang Green Nation, they aren't exactly shedding tears about Hunter's departure:

That said, the Jets were not looking to trade Hunter due to his guaranteed $2+ million contract. However, the Rams came to the Jets with this proposal, and the Jets seemingly chose to put Hunter out of his misery. In the end, I really feel bad for the fans over in St. Louis. This offseason, the Rams have acquired Brian Schottenheimer, Matthew Mulligan, Vernon Gholston, and Wayne Hunter. Quite literally, all of our worst players.

Offensive linemen are like referees: if people know their names or have a passionate opinion about them, that almost always means something bad has happened.

Hunter's inability to pass block on the edge became a running joke in New York, especially after the New York Giants defensive linemen treated like him a turn-style in their preseason victory over the Jets earlier in 2012.

For more on the St. Louis Rams as the preseason continues to roll along, head over to Turf Show Times. More news and analysis on the NFL in general can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL Hub or SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Jason Smith Now Set To Frustrate, Confuse New York Jets Fans

Jason Smith Trade: St. Louis Initiated Discussions, Brian Schottenheimer Likes Wayne Hunter

The St. Louis Rams traded the recently-demoted former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith to the New York Jets on Monday in a potentially risky move that returned only 31-year-old Wayne Hunter.

The Rams initiated the trade talks and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer wanted to work with Hunter, via a pair of tweets from the NFL Network's Albert Breer:

More on Jets/Rams trade. St. Louis initiated talks, both clubs think players could use fresh starts. Both players will be in 3rd OT roles.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 28, 2012

.... Schottenheimer played a role in Hunter's arrival, believing he could add a lot in jumbo TE/swing OT role. Jets keep Howard as starter.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 28, 2012

Ryan Van Bibber of Turf Show Times added that both Hunter and Smith could benefit from having reduced expectations and pressure, as "a fair shake in either city would have been next to impossible".

For more on the St. Louis Rams as the preseason continues to roll along, head over to Turf Show Times. More news and analysis on the NFL in general can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL Hub or SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Jason Smith Trade Reaction: Rams Make Risky Move?

The St. Louis Rams flipped disappointing right tackle Jason Smith for the New York Jets' Wayne Hunter on Monday.

The trade comes after Smith accepted a pay cut in April, then found himself behind Barry Richardson on the Rams' depth chart this preseason.

Smith didn't live up to the expectations that came with being the No. 2 overall pick, but does that mean that St. Louis should have given up on him? Ryan Van Bibber of Turf Show Times isn't high on the deal, saying that it is "trading one problem for another, potentially creating a bigger problem":

On the surface, this is not a good deal at all for the Rams. Smith was improving his play under offensive line coach Paul Boudreau. Hunter and Richardson were two of the worst tackles in the league last season. Hunter had already been benched for the Jets after allowing constant pressure on their quarterbacks.

The Rams are doubling down on their commitment to Richardson as a starter, a potentially risky move given that their season rests on the shoulders of a quarterback struggling with pressure.
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I'm really perplexed by this move. Smith was no great shakes, but his play in the preseason had improved over his play in the past. The situation at right tackle is a real concern, even more so now.

The 31-year-old Hunter started all 16 games for the Jets last season, but lost his spot on the depth chart to Austin Howard.

For more on the St. Louis Rams as the preseason continues to roll along, head over toTurf Show Times. More news and analysis on the NFL in general can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL Hub or SB Nation's YouTube channel:

Jason Smith Traded To New York Jets; St. Louis Rams To Receive Wayne Hunter

The St. Louis Rams have traded former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith to the New York Jets for Wayne Hunter.