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Casey Hayward graduates from Vanderbilt

Packers CB Casey Hayward hasn’t slowed down much since his rookie season ended.

Shortly after the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs last January, Hayward returned to Vanderbilt University for his final semester of college, and Hayward graduated last week with his degree in sociology.

Needing just 13 hours, including one more class in his major, to finish his degree, Hayward decided not to wait to go back to school. Having skipped the last semester he needed to graduate in order to go through the pre-draft process last year, Hayward didn’t want to put it off any longer.

“I wasn’t sure when I was going to go back, but if I waited another year, (the chances) were going to be slimmer than me just going back this first year,” Hayward said.

“I had definitely promised myself. I was too close not to finish my degree. I was only 13 hours away. I promised a lot of people I’d come back, but it was mainly a commitment to myself.”

Through independent study arrangements with his professors, Hayward was able to return to Green Bay for the start of offseason workouts last month while continuing to complete his coursework.

The Packers’ leader in interceptions last season with six, a total that was best among all NFL rookies, Hayward finished third in defensive rookie of the year voting in 2012. A second-round draft pick, he has laid a foundation for a potentially long and lucrative career in the league, but he didn’t let that get in the way of finishing something he had started.

“Because at the end of the day, you never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Hopefully I do play a long time, but I’ll always have something to fall back on. I’ll still have to work a little bit when football is over.”

Casey Hayward takes 3rd in Defensive Rookie of Year voting

Packers CB Casey Hayward finished third in the Associated Press voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Panthers LB Luke Kuechly won the award by getting 28 of the 50 votes. Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner was second with 11 votes, followed by Hayward with six. Rounding out the voting were Rams CB Janoris Jenkins (3) and Buccaneers LB Lavonte David (2).

Hayward led the Packers and all NFL rookies with six interceptions in 2012. Hayward was trying to become the first Packers player to win AP’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award since CB Willie Buchanon in 1972.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers earned two votes for Offensive Player of the Year. That award went to Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson.

Casey Hayward named to PFW/PFWA All-Rookie team

Packers CB Casey Hayward has been named to the Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team for 2012.

Hayward led the Packers and all rookies across the league with six interceptions in his first season. He was a second-round draft choice out of Vanderbilt.

No Packers made the PFW/PFWA All-NFL team, which selects only one player at each position. In contrast, Green Bay’s divisional playoff opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, had four players on the All-NFL squad — G Mike Iupati, LBs Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith, and P Andy Lee.

Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America 2012 All-NFL team

Offense
QB Peyton Manning / Broncos
RB Adrian Peterson / Vikings
RB Marshawn Lynch / Seahawks
WR Calvin Johnson / Lions
WR Brandon Marshall / Bears
TE Rob Gronkowski / Patriots
C John Sullivan / Vikings
OG Mike Iupati / 49ers
OG Marshal Yanda / Ravens
OT Duane Brown / Texans
OT Ryan Clady / Broncos

Defense
DE J.J. Watt / Texans
DE Cameron Wake / Dolphins
DT Geno Atkins / Bengals
DT Vince Wilfork / Patriots
OLB Von Miller / Broncos
OLB Aldon Smith / 49ers
MLB Patrick Willis / 49ers
CB Richard Sherman / Seahawks
CB Charles Tillman / Bears
S Earl Thomas / Seahawks
S Eric Weddle / Chargers

Specialists
PK Blair Walsh / Vikings
P Andy Lee / 49ers
KR Jacoby Jones / Ravens
PR Leodis McKelvin / Bills
ST Matthew Slater / Patriots

MVP/Offensive MVP — Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
Defensive MVP— Texans DE J.J. Watt
Coach of the Year — Colts offensive coordinator/interim head coach Bruce Arians
Comeback Player of the Year — Adrian Peterson
Rookie of the Year/Offensive Rookie — Redskins QB Robert Griffin III
Defensive Rookie of the Year — Panthers LB Luke Kuechly
Most Improved Player — Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
Executive of the Year — Colts GM Ryan Grigson
Assistant Coach of the Year — Bruce Arians
Golden Toe (Best Placekicker or Punter)  — Vikings PK Blair Walsh

Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie team

Offense
QB Robert Griffin III / Redskins
RB Alfred Morris / Redskins
RB Doug Martin / Buccaneers
WR T.Y. Hilton / Colts
WR Justin Blackmon / Jaguars
TE Dwayne Allen / Colts
C NONE
OG Kevin Zeitler / Bengals
OG Amini Silatolu / Panthers
OT Matt Kalil / Vikings
OT Mitchell Schwartz / Browns

Defense
DL Fletcher Cox / Eagles
DL Chandler Jones / Patriots
DL Bruce Irvin / Seahawks
DL Michael Brockers / Rams
LB Bobby Wagner / Seahawks
LB Luke Kuechly / Panthers
LB Lavonte David / Buccaneers
CB Casey Hayward / Packers
CB Janoris Jenkins / Rams
S Harrison Smith / Vikings
S Mark Barron / Buccaneers

Specialists
PK Blair Walsh / Vikings
P Bryan Anger / Jaguars
KR David Wilson / Giants
PR T.Y. Hilton / Colts
ST Johnson Bademosi / Browns

CBs Hayward, House ready to step in

Mike McCarthy said on Wednesday that both LB Nick Perry (knee) and CB Sam Shields (shin/ankle) would be “stretched” to make it back in time to play this week.

In Perry’s spot, that means more playing time for LB Erik Walden and perhaps rookie LB Dezman Moses. In Shields’ place, that could lead to a bigger role for rookie CB Casey Hayward and perhaps the first action of the season for CB Davon House.

Hayward has three interceptions in the last two games, putting him atop the league leaderboard for rookies this season, and if he steps into Shields’ starting spot he expects opposing QBs to pick on him.

“Definitely, especially when you’ve got a guy like Tramon out there, Woodson, Morgan,” Hayward said, referring to his secondary mates. “Of course they’re going to go at the rookies.”

McCarthy said Hayward got his hands on a couple of passes in practice again on Wednesday, and the coach appreciates his steady play.

“I’ve always liked the way he plays football,” McCarthy said. “He’s been given more responsibilities and he leads our team in interceptions, and that says a lot for a rookie.”

Next up in the CB rotation after Hayward could be House (pictured), who was in line to win a starting job before a shoulder injury in the preseason opener derailed those plans.

“It’s been a tough path for him to get back, and hopefully this is the week,” McCarthy said.

House, who has been practicing with a shoulder harness but has yet to be active for a game this season, could be activated for the first time and possibly see snaps in the Packers’ nickel (5 DBs), dime (6) or dollar (7) packages.

“I still go through practice at full speed, and I feel like my shoulder is the best it’s going to get right now until I get time off, and I can play at a high level,” said House, who estimated it took him a couple of weeks of practice to get used to the harness.

“I never even think about it. Today I broke up a pass today with my left (side). I reached out and batted it down without a problem. It felt good even with the harness on.”

In other injury news, neither WR Greg Jennings (groin) nor DL B.J. Raji (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday. Both players could be tested later in the week. TE D.J. Williams (hamstring) was a limited participant after missing Sunday night’s game. RB Alex Green was also limited with a shoulder injury, but it isn’t expected to hold him back.

Hayward right in the mix

Rookie CB Casey Hayward’s strong practice on Wednesday came mostly while defending the biggest receiver on the roster, 6-4 Tori Gurley.

Matching up against big targets is nothing new to Hayward, who played at Vanderbilt in the SEC, but doing so at the NFL level does present its challenges.

“No doubt, because he’s a big guy,” Hayward said of Gurley. “He kind of reminds me of a tight end, but he moves very well to be that big. You can’t let him get his hands on you.”

Hayward admitted he’s still making some rookie mistakes out there, but he’s trying to use any mistake as a chance to learn. He’s certainly right in the mix for playing time at cornerback with a competitive group that also includes Jarrett Bush, Davon House, Sam Shields and Brandian Ross.

“Certain calls I’m playing full speed,” Hayward said. “Sometimes I question myself, but I shouldn’t, because I know the plays.”

Other notes from Wednesday’s practice:

–K Mason Crosby went 2-for-2 again in a FG period, hitting a pair from 45-plus. Crosby has yet to miss a FG in camp through six practices.

–TE D.J. Williams has been getting plenty of attention thus far in camp, and rightly so, but fellow second-year TE Ryan Taylor is starting to show up, too. Taylor made a couple of big catches during team drills, including one where he dove toward the sideline as he finished a crossing route and hauled in the pass with a linebacker trailing in coverage.

–The “old” guys continue to make plays on a daily basis. CB Charles Woodson had a diving interception over the middle on a fourth-down throw by QB Aaron Rodgers, and WR Donald Driver got open deep behind S M.D. Jennings and caught a perfectly thrown deep ball from Rodgers.

–WR Greg Jennings turned in what was probably the play of the day in his first day back after missing a few practices with an elbow bruise. Jennings caught a ball right in stride that deflected off TE Jermichael Finley and may have been deflected by CB Tramon Williams as well.

–LB Desmond Bishop and FB John Kuhn both must practice two times in shells before they can put full pads on, and they got their first day in on Wednesday. If they practice in shells again Thursday night, that would make them eligible to put pads on for Friday’s Family Night scrimmage, but it seems unlikely they’ll do so.

“You know I would if they let me, but I’m not sure how that would work,” Bishop said. “I don’t foresee them letting me the first day in pads go in the scrimmage. So I’m guessing Sunday.”

–In addition to Commissioner Roger Goodell, other big names in attendance at Wednesday’s practice included former Packers GM Ron Wolf and Hall of Fame head coach and former broadcaster John Madden.

Meet the Packers’ 2012 draft class

#53 NICK PERRY • LINEBACKER • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Drafted: 1st Round (#28 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 265

• Story: Perry ready to take game to next level
  
• Editorial: Packers turn to USC, again, for pass rusher
  
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Perry on stage at NFL Draft
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Perry
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on Perry
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Perry’s USC Bio

#99 JEREL WORTHY • DEFENSIVE END • MICHIGAN STATE
Drafted: 2nd Round (#51 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 308

• Story: Packers favored Worthy’s quickness
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Packers trade up for Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy
• Video: Scout Shaun Herock on Worthy
• Video: D-Line Coach Mike Trgovac on Worthy
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 2nd round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on the 2nd round picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Worthy’s Michigan State bio

#29 CASEY HAYWARD • CORNERBACK • VANDERBILT
Drafted: 2nd Round (#62 overall)
Ht: 5-11  Wt: 192

• Story: The Packers defense rests with Hayward
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Packers move up again, take CB Casey Hayward
• Video: CBs Coach Joe Whitt Jr. on Hayward
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 2nd round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on the 2nd round picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Hayward’s Vanderbilt bio

#76 MIKE DANIELS • DEFENSIVE TACKLE • IOWA
Drafted: 4th Round (#132 overall)
Ht: 6-0   Wt: 291

• Story: Daniels uses hustle to reach higher
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 4th round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Daniels’ Iowa bio

#22 JERRON McMILLIAN • SAFETY • MAINE
Drafted: 4th Round (#133 overall)
Ht: 5-11   Wt: 203

• Story: Maine safety addresses need for a tackler
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 4th round picks
• Video: Safeties Coach Darren Perry on McMillian
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• McMillian’s Maine bio

#56 TERRELL MANNING • LINEBACKER • NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Drafted: 5th Round (#163 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 237

• Story: Manning believes he belonged at top
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Inside LBs Coach Winston Moss on Manning
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Manning’s N.C. State bio

#77 ANDREW DATKO • TACKLE • FLORIDA STATE
Drafted: 7th Round (#241 overall)
Ht: 6-6   Wt: 315

• Story: Tackle, QB give offense two for the road
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Datko’s Florida State bio

#9 B.J. COLEMAN • QUARTERBACK • TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA
Drafted: 7th Round (#243 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 231

• Story: Tackle, QB give offense two for the road
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Coleman’s Tennessee-Chattanooga bio

Packers trade up, again, pick defensive back

It’ll be remembered as a draft for defense.

The Packers turned to defense for a third consecutive pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by trading back into the bottom of the second round on Friday and selecting Vanderbilt defensive back Casey Hayward.

Hayward, 5-11, 188, was a cornerback at Vanderbilt. He is said to be skilled in zone coverage, which would fit into Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers’ 3-4, zone-blitz defensive scheme.

The Packers gave up their third-round pick, No. 90, and their fifth-rounder, No. 163, to move up to No. 62 near the bottom of the second round to draft Hayward.

Hayward intercepted 13 passes over the last two seasons and finished his college career with 15 picks. He returned one INT for a TD and also had 18 tackles for loss.