Thanks Adam! Today was the first time I read your update at Caring Bridge, gave me goosebumps. Please, don't ever give up and keep fighting! BTW.. Loved the song!

Thompson has almost $9 million for Starks, Taylor, and Perry. I really think that money could have been used in ways that would have actually improved our heros instead of keeping us the same which hasn't been good enough, at least not the last few seasons.

I've thought the same thing about Hayward but after the 4 he's decided to keep, the incoming rookie class, Thompson really only has about $5 or $6 million left. A tweak here or there and I'm sure they could have some extra space if needed.

Great to read your posts Adam! Keep fighting.

Good on you, Adam. Stay positive. We are with you.

Good attitude, Adam

Well thought out and well written article.

I have continued to include you in my prayers.

Finally someone at CheeseheadTV properly evaluates Hayward. The guy was very solid at worst, and he signed for reasonably little and fire only 3 years. There's not a lot of risk there and he's been at least this good every year, sans injury.

What happens one of Shields, Rollins or Randall get hurt? It's bound to happen, and if it happens early in the season another injury is likely to follow. Gunter shows promise, but that leaves three (potentiallike good) CBs. Three is essentially the starting number.

I don't think losing Hayward is a big deal plus to tell you the truth I think Shields is overpaid and overrated , I like our young guys.

I too am a Hayward fan Adam. The skills he showed as a rookie impressed everyone. The kid has football instincts you just can't teach. The injuries held him back and if he can stay healthy will turn out good for him. Keep up the good work and fight on Adam. Enjoy your posts and hope to be reading them for years.

First (and most importantly) keep fighting my friend. Packer Nation has your back.

Now onto Hayward. Casey was a solid slot corner who couldn't quite make the transition to the outside. $5 Mil per year isn't a crazy number for a slot DB, but when you factor in the play of Randall, Rollins, and even Gunter - TT had to let him walk. Throw in Hyde (who can play multiple positions) and even Goodson. That's a crazy amount of depth and talent.

Like you said, TT needs to keep a cap space for next season. Sitton, Lang, Bakhtiari, and Lacy are all set to become free agents.

Nope, you're not the only one. I'm with you.

The thing that bothers me the most about it, It was just 6.8 guaranteed. If he doesn't work out, SD can cut him with just a 1.6 mil dead cap hit next year. If we aren't going to sign any outside guys, it really made no sense to let Hayward walk for that cheap. Thompson can still spend about 5 mil on free agency and still carry over about 6-7 mil to next year. I'm not cool with losing Hayward if we're gonna stand pat and refuse to upgrade anywhere else outside the draft. If we go and at least sign Cook, I'm more ok with letting Hayward go. I still find it just completely insane that we didn't even bother contacting either of the 2 best players on the market for our 2 biggest holes, especially after seeing the contracts they signed for. I've always been a Thompson supporter, but I've put the Kool Aid down this year and now I see clearly, and can't wait to see him gone.

Never ever stop.

I liked Hayward like what was not to like his rookie year. Then he got injured, could not play and it seemed he lost his edge. I think the next two years TT is going to have to let many walk or find some way to restructure some of these contracts. He has a hard job but gets paid very well, you know one of the O lineman is gone next year. To me there are way to many that need signed can they get a loan at the bank lol.

I'm in complete agreement with Nick Perry above. I do not think that the combination of Perry/Starks and Lane frigging Taylor are worth the cost of Trevathan or Freeman or Green. TT sucks in the first half of his job in the offseason - period. And if GB doesn't win another super bowl before ARod retires, it will sit almost completely at TT's feet. With a small portion at MMs. TT has done a wonderful job building a very good team - but I also think he has thoroughly displayed that he is not adept at building a championship team. The kool-aid is done for me too. If GB doesn't show considerable improvement this year - netting a CG or SB appearance in the process at the very least - then I am done with TT as well. I will be calling for him to be replaced immediately.

PS: Adam. Keep fighting. We are still praying for your spirits and your family's health and your recovery.

I'm not the least bit concerned about the departure of Hayward. The writing was on the wall when they drafted Quinten Rollins, who I think will end up being great for the Packers as a slot corner.

Casey was everything than reliable CB this, past season... my opinion is that both picks (1. and 2.) were better than Casey. This was correct move by my opinion! And PFF people and their rankings... phew!

I have a feeling TT will always be known for having 2 hall of fame QBs and only getting to one super bowl which is pathetic. SF is the other team with back to back hall of famers and we all know what they did.
As for FA. Next years list is Sitton, Bak, Lang, Lacy, Tretter, Barrington, Palmer, Hyde, Boyd, Pennel, Peppers, Banjo, and Elliot. So every penny is needed for next yr. Sitton, Bak, Lacy, Tretter, Hyde, Barrington and Pennel are all must signs. Sitton, Lacy and Bak will have big paydays. Bak could get a $8 mil/yr raise. That will cut into the money gained by. Peppers contract off the books. Sitton could get a 2mil/yr raise and I have no clue what Lacy could get. Hoping a huge raise which would mean he had a big yr.
I would have liked to sign one of the top FA in MlB or TE but not with what we have coming up next year I knew it wouldn't happen.
I ready do believe this is a very important draft for TT. For the Pack to stay near the top he has to hit this yr.

100% cure for hiccups.
Take a small piece of paper 1/8" x!/8" square. and drop in glass of water. Paper will float and object is drink the glass down watching piece of paper go to bottom, or possibly stick to side, of glass finishing all the water.
Idea is to concentrate on paper while drinking water. Should do the trick.

Hayward is a nice player. I'd love to keep him. For GB, Hayward is the nickelback, and no team can pay a $5.13 million cap hit to its nickelback or sub package person. Obviously, the argument that Rollins and Randall might regress or get hurt is potent, but it is tough to be deep everywhere. Hayward's marginal value to GB is not big enough to justify $5 mill/yr for 3 yrs. For another team, with lesser talent where Hayward will be the starting outside CB or starting slot guy, and where Hayward is an upgrade, that is a reasonable contract with a chance at some surplus value if Hayward reaches his full potential.

I think letting Hayward go is less about Hayward and more about Lang, Sitton and Bahktiari. All of their contracts are up next year and it will not be cheap to bring them back (I only expect one of the G's to get signed). TT has traditionally rolled over 6-7 million to the next year. He'll need all of that with the group of FA's he has next year.
I think he made the right decision. Don't waste your money on a luxury (another above average slot CB) when you need it for important things (good O-linemen).

I read the Atlantic piece because I often do read such articles from across the entire political spectrum. It was both interesting and chilling.