Hayward strives to be No. 1

For Packers corner, it’s more than just inside vs. outside

“And not just win the outside job, I want to become the No. 1 corner. . . . That’s the goal with me: push to be the No. 1 corner.”

With both Tramon Williams (Cleveland) and Davon House (Jacksonville) gone, Hayward might be the most important player in the Packers’ secondary heading into training camp. He’s not an unproven commodity. Hayward started seven games at outside corner in 2012 and had 42 tackles and three interceptions last season inside.

Now, the pressure absolutely ramps up for the 5-foot-11, 192-pounder.

He’s entering a contract year. He’ll be expectedtocoverelitewidereceiversoneonone.

Out with a foot injury suffered early this offseason, Hayward hopes to be full go by training camp at the end of July. When he returns, the bar will be set high.

Onepersonwhoisnotconcerned? JoeWhitt Jr. Peppered with questions about Hayward’s ability to play outside, the cornerbacks coach became irritated.

“You guys are making more of this outside/ inside thing than I really think it is,” Whitt said. “I have no issue with Casey playing outside. I’ve never had an issue with Casey playing outside. I just had Tramon and Sam (Shields) outside and he played inside. But he’s played outside before.

“I think this is a conversation that we really shouldn’t be talking about to be honest with you because I’m not worried about it. I have more to worry about than Casey Hayward outside. He can do it. And if he doesn’t do it, somebody else will.”

The wide receiver body type is different inside from outside, from stop-on-a-dime 5foot-10 slot types to physical 6foot-4 deep threats. As Whitt said, inside corners are essentially linebackers and outside “the skill set is greater.” Corners must cover, must maintain vertical control. Countless times, Whitt has maintained Hayward can play both spots. And, true, his first week of training camp as a pro, Hayward held his own in one-onone drills vs. Green Bay’s best receivers.

Hayward now finds himself in the same position as Shields did before the 2013 season: in a contract year with something to prove. Shields’ message to Hayward was to keep making plays.

“Whatever you lacked the previous year, correct that,” Shields said. “Get that right. Because just that one little thing can not get you paid. And just doing what you’ve been doing and not letting that get into your head. It’s what you’re here for.”

Added Hayward, “I know what type of player I am, what type of player I’m going to be and I just let that speak for itself.”

So these are now the two leaders of the position, two players who don’t like to speak up.

Shields has been stopping drills to further explain a technique to the younger corners, which took Whitt aback initially. With Williams gone, they’re making a conscious effort to lead.

As for Hayward’s game, Shields calls him “real smart,” a player you can put anywhere on the field.

“He knows formation recognition, route recognition, he’s real good at that,” Shields said. “He helped me out sometimes with that. I think he’ll be ready once he gets 100%.”

In this defense, Whitt gives cornerbacks the option to press or play off receivers. Adamant he can do both, Hayward said he went 50-50 outside in his rookie season in 2012.

“I’m good at especially seeing the ball,” said Hayward, who has 28 pass breakups in 35 career games. “People forget — because I play off a lot and get the ball a lot — that when I press, I’m pretty good at pressing. I think what helps me out is I get the ball. That’s what separates me from the other corners. Not many people can get the ball like I can and hopefully that trend keeps happening this year for me.”

Hayward isn’t annoyed when he’s typecast as a “slot” cornerback. If he’s known as an elite player inside, fine by him.

Still, as Whitt explained, Priority No. 1 is eliminating the vertical route outside. Everything starts there and the Packers don’t baby cornerbacks with safety help. Whitt will start the two best cornerbacks outside and then work in. Switching spots, he repeats, won’t be a problem for Hayward.

“For certain guys, it’s not very challenging because they have the mental capacity to do it,” Whitt said. “For other guys, itisdifficult. It’snotdifficult for him because he’s a very smart guy. He’s a football junkie. So he has no problem doing it.”

Shields. Whitt. Hayward. Nobody expects a drop-off from Williams. In fact, Shields took it one step further.

The cornerback position, he says, is even better than it was last year.

“There’s a lot more talent in there,” Shields said. “There’s a lot of guys. I thinkwe’re keeping seven and, shoot, we’ve got more than that. It’ll be a big competition for all of us.

“It’s going to be a big competition — whoever wants it.”