This is going to create angst among Jets fans, but embattled Wayne Hunter apparently will return as the starting right tackle in 2012.

"We expect Wayne back, we expect him to be our starter," GM Mike Tannenbaum said Thursday morning in an interview with WFAN.

Hunter's $2.45 million salary for 2012 is guaranteed, so that pretty much assures him a roster spot. But it still came as a surprise that Tannenbaum issued a vote of confidence, considering Hunter's profound struggles last season at right tackle.

You always have to wonder, of course, if this is another case of Tannenbaum-speak. Asked if Hunter is "100 percent" the starter, he replied, "Yes, he is."

Maybe the Jets think new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, a former line coach, can fix Hunter. Maybe they think Sparano's pass-protection schemes, which rely heavily on the tight end, will cover up Hunter's weaknesses. That said, it's still hard to envision Hunter as their opening-day tackle.

"We need more consistent line play, there's no question about that," Tannenbaum said. "All of our players need to play more consistently up front ... We expected (Hunter) to play better this year."

On other subjects ...

Tannenbaum was non-committal on RB LaDainian Tomlinson, a free agent, saying it's "hard to say" if LT will be back. "We've had some good conversations with him," he said. "I'm not sure he's sure if he wants to play He did some good things for us. We'll leave the lines of communication open with him."

Tannenbaum was being kind. We all know Tomlinson isn't coming back.

The GM gave a non-answer on whether he has any interest in re-signing free-agent WR Braylon Edwards, saying, "He has done some good things in the past. Once free agency gets started, we'll go from there."

Tannenbaum didn't shed any light on the Bart Scott situation, but the mere fact that he acknowledged there's a possibility that Scott might not be back tells us everything we need to know.