Casey Hayward had big plans for the second year of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. A dominant rookie season playing slot cornerback had Hayward feeling ready for the next step in his development.
"I want to start outside," Hayward told FOXSportsWisconsin.com in April 2013. "I feel like I can be an outside guy now full-time. . . . I'll prove that I can play outside now and not just the slot."
As Hayward trained on his own leading up to the 2013 season, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for the first 15 training camp practices. He reinjured it again in preseason and, after his regular-season debut was delayed until Week 8, Hayward injured it yet again two weeks later and was placed on injured reserve.
This forced Hayward to re-evaluate his strong stance on being a starting outside cornerback. With the Packers re-signing Sam Shields this offseason to a four-year, $39 million contract and with veteran Tramon Williams back for another season, Hayward is now trying to remain patient.
"I don't even look into it," Hayward said of a starting outside cornerback job. "I think I look more of just trying to prepare myself and get better each week. If I can do that and keep progressing as a corner, I think my time will come when I'll be outside."
Paul Imig wrote: