The Green Bay Packers let defensive back Micah Hyde walk in free agency on Thursday. We’re not surprised, but plenty of people are.
Those people will certainly be more surprised that the Packers didn’t even make Hyde an offer. He made sure to post that on Twitter after signing with the Buffalo Bills.
A HUGE thank you to Packernation for the last 4 years. Although GB didn't make an offer, I'm so EXCITED to become a Bill. Thank you Buffalo!
— Micah Hyde (@micah_hyde) March 9, 2017
This is not out of the ordinary at all. The Packers completely ignored cornerback Casey Hayward in free agency last year. They didn’t even contact him and Hayward was on the market for quite a bit longer than Hyde was.
Several things are going on here.
First, Hyde wasn’t a priority for the Packers. That list goes something like this: 1. Nick Perry, 2. Jared Cook, 3. T.J. Lang… and we’ll live with losing the rest of these guys if that happens.
Second, the Packers were not going to pay the amount of money Hyde received (five years, $30 million) for a player, while nice, is essentially a backup in Green Bay.
Third, it isn’t as if the Packers don’t watch film on their guys. Much like Hayward, there are limitations to Hyde’s game (especially as a corner) and the Packers are fully aware of what those limitations are. That means they feel they can find a similar player elsewhere for much less money.
So before you get too bent out of shape here, let me just point out that the Packers need a No. 1 corner more than anything. Micah Hyde was not going to be that guy. He wasn’t going to be a No. 1 safety in Green Bay either. He’s being paid like a No. 1 safety in Buffalo, so let’s just be happy for the guy and not curse the Packers too much for doing the right thing.
Yes, for once, I will be the voice of reason.
I don’t think anyone is going to bust a nut over this. But at least lets be real about it.
Hyde was an asset. He was somewhat versatile, almost always available. He gave you depth. But most importantly, something we really lack on this defense, is he made plays here and there. A couple nice picks against Seattle and the Bears.
But he made plays, where few defensive Packer players made plays, in the playoffs. Only 2 Packer players made plays against Dallas. One was Nick Perry, he had a sack, and a batted pass, while wearing a club. The other, Hyde, who had a sack where he juked Witten and i doubt anyone could forgot Romo’s quick pass to Irvin where Micah anticipated and jumped in front of Irvin, he may have been gone if Irvin didn’t have his jersey. It was beautiful robbery…lol
So, yea, Hyde is a bit slow, as i’ve complained about in the past, but he has some football instincts and could make plays. Something the Packers defense lacks in a huge way. I’ll also say, if Micah was playing corner against Atlanta, would he have done any worse than what we had?
Hyde’s only 26 and he’s on the up. No, the Packers shouldn’t have signed him to 30 mill, but here’s the thing……they should have made an offer before, and maybe he would have accepted it….ya never know if you don’t try. But isn’t that what is partly wrong with Ted? He doesn’t even try.
And that my dear friend Monty, is the voice of reason.
As usual, no charge.
Hyde is just too slow. He gets burned way more than he ever makes a big play. Losing Hyde is addition by subtraction. The Packers are a better team without him.
Well, Prescott, Irvin,and Witten don’t think he’s that slow.
That is idiotic. Addition by subtraction? He was probably their best defensive back last year. Not saying they should have signed him, but that is ignorant.
Well it looks like at this time TT has a fourth, and a fifth, or sixth round comp pick next year. TT probably should be reminded he can only receive four comp picks in any one year.
I honestly saw him turning into Capers poor man version of Woodson. Versatile, smart, physical and overall football savvy. It’ll be interesting to see him utilized elsewhere, I think Capers could have done good work had he stayed. Wondering if this doesn’t yield to the thought of drafting Peppers…
Perhaps . . . though he might just draft a precision swimmer in the first round and teach her how to be a CB sans nose plugs . . .