Jets acquire oft-injured OT Otah
Right tackle Jeff Otah was acquired by the Jets, who sent an undisclosed conditional draft pick to Carolina.
Otah was a first-round pick by the Panthers in 2008, and was viewed as one of the best young right tackles in the game. He helped pave the way for running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to become the first teammates in NFL history to each run for more than 1,100 yards in the same season in 2009.
However, he has run into injuries that have derailed his very promising career. Otah missed the 2010 season with a knee injury. He returned last season, but suffered a concussion and a back injury in September and landed on injured reserve on Oct. 19 with another knee injury.
The Panthers acquired Bruce Campbell from Oakland during the offseason, and he's expected to compete with Byron Bell, an undrafted rookie who started 12 games in Otah's place last season.
If he can stay healthy, Otah can have a big impact for the Jets, who want to use the run to set up the pass under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. Wayne Hunter is a nine-year veteran who started all 16 games at right tackle last season, but was a career backup until being thrust into the starting job year.
