Hayward expects to start outside in 2013 (Paul Imig)

Competition is never a bad thing. May the best CB win.

I was closer to the mindset of not messing with a good thing, especially with how much nickel the team plays and the need to have a shutdown slot corner. (Similar to the dilemma of whether or not to try upgrading your LT at the risk of losing an All-Pro RT.)

But as AP gladly showed the world, your corners will have to tackle in base. Hayward can still slide inside in Nickel as the article mentions, so I've come around to him playing outside in base if he's one of the best two CBs. I'm sure my gradual change of heart will help Capers sleep better.

GB is looking good at CB for years to come, especially if House can get on track.

The winner of such a competition at the end of camp doesn't necessarily hold the position all season. Jarrett Bush 2012 is a good example of that. Sam Shields at the start of the season was nothing compared to the Sam Shields who came back from injury.

I would like to see him start also. The sooner he does the sooner the highligts will start running. As said we are looking good at corner. I just hope we find the answer at safety,

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
GB is looking good at CB for years to come, especially if House can get on track.

I swear to god every time someone says that, a career ending injury or sizzurp episode or both are right around the corner.

it happens every time. thanks a lot.

I do what I can.

Per the previous comments about tackling, PFF had him as the 8th most efficient tackler among all DBs in the NFL.

Link

If a young Packer feels he has the game to lock down Greg Jennings (among others) twice a year, I'm good with that. Next man up isn't reserved for injured reserved.

I hope the hammy is healed, but I still see Hayward as a slot guy who can do some of the things that Woodson did around the LOS. Williams, Shields, House can battle for the outside spots



"However, as the Packers approached the playoffs, Hayward's playing time was down again. In the final five games (postseason included), Hayward was on the field for only 50.4 percent of the defensive snaps.

One reason for that, Hayward explained, was a left hamstring injury that had been bothering him -- and is still lingering nearly three months after the season ended.

"My leg was hurting toward the end of the year," Hayward said. "It wasn't too bad, but it's the type of hamstring thing that has to rest. I haven't been working out super, super hard because I'm trying to rest my legs. I'm not doing too much running right now, but I'm doing enough."

quote:

I hope the hammy is healed, but I still see Hayward as a slot guy who can do some of the things that Woodson did around the LOS.

I'm guessing he'd like to start outside on the early downs and slide in when the nickel package is on the field. Then they can bring Tramon off the bench to play one of the outside spots.

good call tit, hadn't thought of that

I think GB was in nickle way more than base, so he'd be inside more than out

The net net is he is on the field more and that's probably what he is after

doesn't matter where you put him, Hayward is going to excel.

quote:

Originally posted by Satori:
I think GB was in nickle way more than base

66.8%

quote:

Rewind'12: Circling back on nickel usage
espn.go.com

As it turns out, the percentages of extra defensive backs were nearly identical in 2012. Once again, the Green Bay Packers led the NFL in nickel/dime use, and thus used their "base" 3-4 defense less than any other team.

On the other hand, you wonder if that heavy usage played a role in the Packers' vulnerability against power running teams, most notably the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers. The Detroit Lions, on the other hand, can be fully excused from using extra defensive backs less than all but seven NFL teams. Their secondary depth was poor over the past two years, due in part to injuries. continue

How much of that had to do with losing so many LBs I don't know but they need to get better out of the base.

Hayward best slot CB in the NFL

Pro football focus has a breakdown of the grades of Hayward and other top slot corners that includes their outside coverage grades. My opinion is that Hayward is so good in the slot there is no reason to move him outside much at all. Just let him do what he does best.

What a fantastic draft pick by the front office and a kudos to Woodson and the coaches for starting his development on the right path

Interesting Patrick Peterson is in the bottom 20.

Michael Huff needs to play Safety & only Safety

I hope he sees the light and stays in Wood's old spot.

He was good in 2012, but let's not get carried away. Follow up tweet by PFF today:

Pro Football Focus‏@PFF9h
It's worth pointing out that @show_case29 had some truly ridiculous coverage numbers in 2012. From Wk10 onwards allowed 115 yards. TOTAL

See, after week 10 he gave up 115 yards in 6 weeks. That's 19 yards the guy is just giving away every game. So let's try and hold it together, ok?

I actually had to read the tweet twice, thought it was a typo.