February
Casey Hayward, Crabtree Fake Field Goal TD Lose Out on 2013 NFL Honors
Hayward was a candidate for 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year
Many of us are surely still feeling the sting after how the 2012 Green Bay Packers season ended. It comes with the territory: one of the most successful franchises in all of pro sports, a recent history of winning and the expectations of winning, perennial postseason appearances and a constantly bright future.
It has been suggested that maybe we have become too spoiled and perhaps have forgotten, a bit, how to stop and appreciate what this team does accomplish each year.
In keeping with that spirit, it’s time to take a brief pause from the “what if’s” and “why not’s” and acknowledge a few of the bright spots from this past year’s team.
On Saturday, the NFL held its annual Honors Awards show and announced the winners of such prestigious categories as Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, to name a few.
The Green Bay Packers had representation in two categories as cornerback Casey Hayward was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year and the fake field goal/touchdown play in the week two win vs. the Chicago Bears was nominated for Best Play. Each warrants a closer look at how it became one of the NFL’s best this season.
Casey Hayward
Hayward was the team’s third draft pick in 2012 and their second selection in the second round. General Manager Ted Thompson traded up to snag Hayward and while his potential was sky-high, the early expectations for his immediate contributions to a crowded secondary were tempered.
