This Cornerback Thing is Week-to-Week…

We talked about Casey Hayward and the fact that he played zero defensive snaps last week, yesterday. The Green Bay Packers are publicly saying they’re going to choose the best cornerbacks based on matchups, practice and blah, blah, blah.

So they’ll be deciding which cornerbacks are going to play a role on defense and which aren’t on a week-to-week basis.

In week 1, Davon House was the odd man out. Zero defensive snaps. In week 2, Casey Hayward was the odd man out.

While we’ve discussed the possibility that Hayward has fallen out of favor, that remains to be seen.

What we do know for sure is this. Tramon Williams and Sam Shields are No. 1 and 2, in whatever order, and deservedly so. After last week’s performance — two passes knocked away — House has earned himself some playing time, at least until he goes out and sucks it up.

That leaves Hayward and veteran Jarrett Bush fighting for a spot in the dime that could just as easily go to a safety.

So what sort of scientific process do the Packers use to determine who gets to play? Well, mid-week pop quizzes, of course!

“Everything is measured – how you practice, your tests, we give the quizzes, how they perform, and those aspects. Then, the matchups, you know. Who do we want inside? Who do we want outside? It’s all looked upon. Then, the decision has to be made,” cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt said.

Boy, thanks for that insightful look into your decision-making process, Joe.

Thoughtful. Compelling.

Our bet is now that the Packers have gone to House as the nickel back, he stays there unless he plays himself out of the job. Bush might not be a very exciting dime back, but he’s consistent and can tackle, which is something Hayward hasn’t shown since his rookie year.

So despite all of this mumbo jumbo from the coaching staff, it still seems logical that you won’t be seeing much of Hayward for a while.