Casey Hayward’s primary attribute appears to have deserted him in his fourth and what might be final season for the Green Bay Packers. Referred to as a “ball magnet” by cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt since his strong rookie year, Hayward almost never makes a play on the ball anymore.

Continue Reading @ JSOnline 

JSOnline wrote:

I think some people in this forum know what I think about Hayward. It just surprises me that the journalists are seeing it only now.

Hayward had a very lucky rookie season when many deflected balls landed on his hands.

To my eyes Hayward has always been an average slot CB. He plays afraid of contact and has no speed. I don't think he deserves a spot on any NFL team but after his rookie season we got stuck with him.

At the start of this season I felt I was wrong because I was almost alone claiming he wouldn't be able to play outside, but everybody was saying he could. Now he only plays slot and I'm wondering if Joe Whitt needs my services because it was very very clear to me that Hayward outside was going to be a disaster.

Just watch him play, see film, he avoids contact in many many plays and he can only mantain good coverage in very short routes, he is also a bad blitzer because of his lack of speed.

Originally Posted by: luigis 

He's an average player. Some of those interceptions in his rookie season literally came right to him. Props to him for being in position and catching the ball, but at least of few of those rookie interceptions were practically gifts.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 

He's an average player. Some of those interceptions in his rookie season literally came right to him. Props to him for being in position and catching the ball, but at least of few of those rookie interceptions were practically gifts.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 

It's not like all he did as a rookie was get INTs. He was 3rd in the NFL in defended passes and in general didn't allow very many catches/YAC. He had an absolutely phenomenal season in 2012 even if he'd dropped every single one of those INTs. He's not been nearly as good this year but while he didn't work out outside he has still been a quality player in the slot. He's still a good slot CB this year and I know that's not as prestigious as a boundary CB but it's still an important position (if you think otherwise lets roll back the tape on Hyde playing there this year). I couldn't care less about the INT stats if his coverage is consistently good and as long as he's not outside it has been.

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

I have to believe that many of the negative comments about him are due to high expectations as a result of a strong rookie season. He isn't going to be an annual Pro Bowl CB, but he is decent enough when they keep him in the slot. Keep in mind - there is no team out there with elite players in every position.

Originally Posted by: hardrocker950