Casey Hayward, Crabtree Fake Field Goal TD Lose Out on 2013 NFL Honors

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Casey Hayward
Hayward was a candidate for 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year

Many of us are surely still feeling the sting after how the 2012 Green Bay Packers season ended.  It comes with the territory:  one of the most successful franchises in all of pro sports, a recent history of winning and the expectations of winning, perennial postseason appearances and a constantly bright future.

It has been suggested that maybe we have become too spoiled and perhaps have forgotten, a bit, how to stop and appreciate what this team does accomplish each year.

In keeping with that spirit, it’s time to take a brief pause from the “what if’s” and “why not’s” and acknowledge a few of the bright spots from this past year’s team.

On Saturday, the NFL held its annual Honors Awards show and announced the winners of such prestigious categories as Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, to name a few.

The Green Bay Packers had representation in two categories as cornerback Casey Hayward was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year and the fake field goal/touchdown play in the week two win vs. the Chicago Bears was nominated for Best Play.  Each warrants a closer look at how it became one of the NFL’s best this season.

Casey Hayward

Hayward was the team’s third draft pick in 2012 and their second selection in the second round.  General Manager Ted Thompson traded up to snag Hayward and while his potential was sky-high, the early expectations for his immediate contributions to a crowded secondary were tempered.

Hayward wasted no time in making an impact and by mid season, he was and remained among the league leaders in interceptions.  He led the Packers in 2012 with six.  It’s very encouraging to think that Hayward still has quite a bit of room to improve his game.  With question marks surrounding the future of Charles Woodson and possibly Tramon Williams in the Green Bay secondary, Hayward is a budding star who is ready to take those reins.

No one expected Hayward to be up for this award when he was drafted.  By season’s end, hardly anyone expected him not to be.  He didn’t win, but was easily the most pleasant surprise for the 2012 Green Bay Packers.  We will be seeing and hearing plenty of Hayward’s name as the Packers prepare for the 2013 season.

Play of the Year

It seems like a distant memory because it was very early in the Packers 2012 season and was grossly overshadowed by “Fail Mary” just one week later.  In week two against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night football, the Packers were looking for a spark and a way to get on the scoreboard.  They lined up for a field goal attempt on 4th and 26 but instead saw punter/holder Tim Masthay flick the snap to tight end Tom Crabtree who was streaking across the play.  Crabtree ran, untouched, all the way into the end zone for the first Packers touchdown of the game.  It was a gutsy call at the time and it helped spring the Packers towards their first win of the season.

This play did not end up winning its category but it showcased, once again, the big play-ability that the Packers have continued to have with the current roster and coaching staff.

It’s easy to say that things are looking bright in 2013 and beyond.  After all, I’m a Packers fan and if you’re reading this, chances are so are you.  You at least have to hope that I’m right in thinking that way.  But again, this piece is a reminder that while things may have ended badly (OK, very badly) this past season, there was a lot to cheer about and even more to look forward to in the very near future.

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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

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3 thoughts on “Casey Hayward, Crabtree Fake Field Goal TD Lose Out on 2013 NFL Honors

  1. Things didn’t end very badly this season.

    Ending badly is when you get beat by an inferior team, by a fluke play, a bad call. That was not the case this .

    The right team advanced to the NFC Championship this year. Here’s to improving next season.

  2. The ST units have made nominations for “Play of the Year” the past two seasons now… Who would have guessed it?

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