Hayward or Shields? Tough decision coming

The way rookie Casey Hayward has played, it’s hard to imagine his snap count getting reduced when Sam Shields returns from his ankle injury.
With Shields back on the practice field this week, the Green Bay Packers will have to make the difficult decision of how to divide playing time between the two cornerbacks.
Shields was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, and the team hasn’t said whether he will be available for Sunday’s game at Detroit. Shields returned to practice this week for the first time since he was injured at Houston on Oct. 14, when he was inadvertently kicked in the leg by a teammate.
The following week at St. Louis, Hayward made his first career start. In that game, he picked off his fourth pass in a three-game stretch. His first three interceptions came when he was playing in a part-time role as the sixth defensive back in the Packers’ dime package.
The second-round draft pick from Vanderbilt is tied for third in the NFL with those four interceptions and has 12 pass breakups, second on the team to Tramon Williams (15).
Hayward on Wednesday said he has not been told what, if anything, would change for him when Shields is game ready.
“I feel I’ve been doing pretty well making plays,” Hayward said. “I’ve still got some things I can work on, but overall I think I’ve been doing pretty well.”
Shields, too, had been playing well before his injury. So it’s possible he could return to his starting role, and Hayward could go back to playing the slot position in the nickel and dime packages. Unlike Hayward, Shields plays strictly on the outside.
“Every week I’m more comfortable playing inside and outside,” Hayward said. “I think I’ve done a good job doing both. So whatever my duty is, I’m going to be ready for it. If I’m starting, if I’m not starting, I’ll do whatever.”


(greenbaypressgazette.com)