Casey Hayward - 2015 Packers Player Report Card
By pointerjeff
Casey Hayward
- Age: 26
-
Born: 9/09/89 – Perry, GA
- Height: 5’ 11”
- Weight: 192
- College: Vanderbilt
- Rookie Year: 2012, 2nd round
- NFL Experience: 4
Expectations coming into the season: With the departure of Tramon Williams and Davon House in the off-season Hayward was penciled in as the starter opposite Sam Shields at the cornerback position. Known best for his prowess as a nickel back playing primarily in the slot, the job was his for the taking.
Player’s highlights/low-lights: Played all 18 games for the Packers and was solid in his slot cornerback position where he is most comfortable. Was partially responsible for the 75 yard Larry Fitzgerald catch and run in overtime during the second playoff game when he whiffed on a tackle in open space.
Level of expectations met: Although Hayward is on record as indicating he feels he can excel as a boundary cover corner the fact is that he is better suited to the slot. After starting the year as an outside CB he gave way to rookie first round pick Damarious Randall who proved to be a better option than Hayward. However with the coverages that the Packers play most often the slot cornerback position is essentially a starter (11 games).
Grade: C-
Player’s contribution to the overall team success: Hayward was again solid but not spectacular – his third acceptable performance in four years with the Packers. His tackling has always been a little suspect but his coverage skills were above average and he seemed to come on later in the season which was a contract year for him. He logged a personal best with 65 tackles, yet led the team with 14 missed tackles and defensed only 7 passes for the year with zero interceptions. Compare that with his rookie year when he defensed 21 passes and logged 6 INT’s. The Packers top-rated cornerback according to statistics furnished by Pro FootballFocus and tied for 16th best overall (with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie).
Grade: B-
Player’s contributions in the playoffs: Hayward was steady in the playoffs starting both contests and tied a season high with 7 tackles in Washington. In addition he defensed two total passes.
Grade: C+
Intangibles/Miscellaneous: Casey is the vocal leader and a steady influence for the young corner back room. Hayward is saying all the right things about wanting to return to the Packers but his post-season comments indicate that he has a grasp on reality – with the depth of young CB talent he may have played his last game for the Green and Gold. The Packers have a clear number one corner in Sam Shields and two budding stars in Rollins and Randall. Micah Hyde has also proven that he can play the slot effectively. Given that the 26-year old will be a hot commodity during the upcoming free agency period he will probably follow Williams and House in leaving the team for greener pastures.
Grade: C+
Final Grade: C+
Comments (9)
zoellner25
January 26, 2016 at 11:19 am
Too small to play outside, and "...led the team with 14 missed tackles and defensed only 7 passes for the year with zero interceptions". Plays far below what is expected of 2nd round pick. Bye Bye.
Packer_Pete
January 26, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Given his ball skills and knack for finding the ball, he should have many more impact plays. Because of the lack of those in his play the last couple years, I don't think he is a great contributor and should only be signed for the right price. Someone else will offer him more money, but I think the Packers are in good shape with the rookies.
DrealynWilliams
January 26, 2016 at 06:30 pm
Agree with everything stated.
I'd love to have him back -- but at the right price. He's obviously not a #1/#2 CB and he weakens the Defense when playing outside, but when he's in the slot he's pretty good.
He should split time with whoever the #3 CB will be.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
January 26, 2016 at 12:37 pm
It's been great ride C.H thanks for your time sir good luck in your next contract .
Gianich
January 26, 2016 at 01:21 pm
One of the most noticeable coaching gaffes of the year was lining up Hayward on multiple number 1 WRs even when Shields was healthy.... He made Manning and Thomas look like Manning and Harrison from 2002. Hayward WAS a good slot Zone (not man) contributor in his rookie year. Not sure what happened after that. He was deserving of the C grade. I feel the coaches over used him on defense the same way the offensive coaches over used Adams. Younger players in the secondary showed much better instincts and play making ability game in and game out, but since Hayward was a veteran they kept marching him out there as Rollins sat and watched from the sideline (ie the early Palmer and Ryan ILB situation). Hayward played solid but was picked on by opposing coordinators every game and some times he got up and met the challenge and more often than not he was the weak link on the field in the secondary, which speaks volumes to how good this young secondary is because as the weak link he wasn't too much of a liability. Please don't pay him because he's one of "your guys," Ted
Razer
January 26, 2016 at 02:13 pm
"... Younger players in the secondary showed much better instincts and play making ability game in and game out..."
So true, Hayward has the physical skills but he lacks the instincts to play a consistent game. Maybe it was his study habits, maybe it was his chronic hamstring issues, either way, he never seemed to get leverage against the man he was covering. I was hoping for more out of Casey. I think that the coaches were as well.
jeremyjjbrown
January 26, 2016 at 01:23 pm
Casey came into the league with Elite Hip Fluidity that helped him be a game changer in his rookie campaign. Sadly, repeated hamstring injuries seamed to rob him of that ability and without it he's just another average CB.
Given the play of Rollins, Randall and Gunther I don't think Thompson brings him back. The good thing for Casey is he will get a handsome payday somewhere as a CB with starting experieince, which is cool because from what I have seen he's a really nice person.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 27, 2016 at 12:39 am
I would love to keep Hayward, but as a FA he will be gone. GB is the wrong team for Hayward anyway. He needs to play zone and primarily the slot. I expect Hayward to play well, indeed better than he was in GB, for his new team.
Since'61
January 28, 2016 at 08:04 am
Agree with the grade for Hayward and maybe even a C. His overall level of play was disappointing. Maybe it was due to his injuries but the bottom line is that he failed to meet expectations and he was out played by rookies Randall and Rollins. I would only resign him if the price is right and to have some experienced depth for the secondary, but I think that he has made himself expendable. Thanks, Since '61