Eric Weeks, theJetsBlog.com

Ultimately, this was a move the Jets had to make. Hunter was a career back-up for a reason and naming him the starter prematurely, especially after last season, was a mistake as Rex has already acknowledged. Another issue is Hunter’s back injury which has prevented him from practicing and we also need to consider his mental state. I can’t imagine how much he reads or hears but if it’s half of what I’ve seen, my confidence would be pretty much shattered too and I half suspect that’s part if not THE reason why he was excused from Family Night at MetLife.

It doesn’t necessarily solve the Jets’ problems at RT but I believe Hunter’s demotion to blocking TE will be a role that he can be more comfortable with and hopefully one that he can thrive in and fill a need at the same time. Now the pressure moves from Hunter to Austin Howard who has shown some promise this preseason. While they won’t commit to Howard as the opening day starter the fact is he is the starter for now and will be under a microscope. The Jets are still reportedly considering trade options but we’ll just have to wait and see. For now all of our hopes rest in the hands of Mr. Howard. No pressure though.