Is Hayne quickly establishing himself as our most exciting prospect?

[nurseryc]

We picked him up for next to nothing and have been rewarded by some huge preseason performances. Is Hayne quickly establishing himself as our most exciting new prospect?

[Kazuya10]

I love that your giving Hayne props. These last 2 games he has played very well. Im not a gridiron fan really, but gotta support an Aussie doing himself proud. which makes me a 49ers fan by default

To answer your question, No I don't believe so as he still has a lot more to learn about the game. Is he even a lock to make the team?
From an out sider aussie bloke who loves the NBA... But is a massive Rugby League fan and have seen Hayne is whole career to date. There seems to be a lot of open space for people to run through be it from blockers or just broken lines in the defense. Taking advantage of that is one of Hayne greatest strengths in Rugby League. Its no fluke that he is able to translate that into gridiron. Just don't get too carried away just yet.

He would be top 3 at his position in Rugby League. Another player you guys should look at is Greg Inglis. He is the number 1 fullback of Rugby League https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvvUj-BPFn8
Hayne is 220 pounds and Inglis is 245 and 0.3 of a second quicker then Hayne over the 100m sprint. Both are about the same age too.

[Pattersonca65]

I love that your giving Hayne props. These last 2 games he has played very well. Im not a gridiron fan really, but gotta support an Aussie doing himself proud. which makes me a 49ers fan by default

To answer your question, No I don't believe so as he still has a lot more to learn about the game. Is he even a lock to make the team?
From an out sider aussie bloke who loves the NBA... But is a massive Rugby League fan and have seen Hayne is whole career to date. There seems to be a lot of open space for people to run through be it from blockers or just broken lines in the defense. Taking advantage of that is one of Hayne greatest strengths in Rugby League. Its no fluke that he is able to translate that into gridiron. Just don't get too carried away just yet.

He would be top 3 at his position in Rugby League. Another player you guys should look at is Greg Inglis. He is the number 1 fullback of Rugby League https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvvUj-BPFn8
Hayne is 220 pounds and Inglis is 245 and 0.3 of a second quicker then Hayne over the 100m sprint. Both are about the same age too.

Our TV play by play guy talked this morning about Hayne. What didn't get talked about was when Hayne made a play on Special Teams against the opposing team's return man. Those are the kind of plays that will help cement him a play on the roster, There are two more preseason games to go. If Hayne continues to make those plays returning punts, I just can't see the team not keeping him on the roster. Bruce Ellington, last year's return man, is still hurt and not practicing. And even when he was returning punts, was a pedestrian returner.

[CrimsonCrew]

He's probably going to make the roster at this point. His instincts in the return game alone probably cinch that for him. His STs coverage and running skills are basically gravy. He still runs really upright, and he's not great at making something when running lanes aren't there, but he looks like he may be special in the open field. He's not an every down runner, and I doubt he ever will be, but he's definitely got potential as a third-down back if he can pick up pass blocking.

Tough choice at RB this year. I can't see us cutting Bush, but I don't want them to cut Hunter. He's had injuries, but they were of the fluke variety, he's young, and I always liked him pre-injury. I'd rather keep him than Reggie at this point, when considering where this team is and where it's likely going this year.

[Yadahell]

I didn't think his rugby skills would translate to the NFL (especially this quickly), but he has looked impressive. He has good feet and fantastic instincts in the open field. He's going to be hard to keep off the roster if this continues.

[Jikkle]

At this point I'd say he's a lock to make the roster as a returner.

You simply can't pass on that return ability that he's shown so far and that ability would be more beneficial than keeping some roster bubble guy that might not see the field.

Outside of the returner abilities I don't see him much of a contributor as a RB this year. Though if he does continue to show excellent ability in open space the team should work him into packages where they try to get him into open space like in the screen game or dump off passes.

[ChrisPozz]

Right now I don't want to see him anywhere on the offensive side as a run first option. I might be the biggest skeptic that I have so far been able to find when it comes to him as a runner at the running back spot.

His running style, though slightly improved from a technical aspect from last week, still drives me crazy. I might be tougher on running backs and what I specifically want from them than any other position that I judge or hope to see in my team's stable.

I'm more intrigued than what I thought I'd be about his special teams ability when it comes to receiving, running, and gunning. If he's going to make the roster, it would have to be because of those three things almost entirely if I was the one deciding based on what I know.

The only area on offense where I am personally not ruling out success for his short term future is as a move/gadget RECEIVING option where you let him build up some speed in the open field, away from the junk, and then let him do his work.

But as a running back first and foremost, I really don't want to see him much when the real stuff starts to happen. It's Hyde's offense if it's my decision. And quite honestly, my personal ideal realistic scenario would be to see Hunter get back as the number 2 option behind him if he's healthy to go.

-----------------

As far as most exciting prospect, younger guys I'm more excited about than Hayne are easily Ian Williams, Purcell, McCray, Reaser, Acker, D. Johnson, Lynch, Harold, and Trent Brown. I'm leaving out a few that aren't as exciting as these but more exciting than Hayne, too, in my opinion.

Quite honestly, I'm at the point where I'd like to see more of Gaskins as an overall running back than Hayne, too.

'll throw another name out for people. I'm still hoping the Browns get rid of Glenn Winston and the 49ers bring him back because they should've never given up on his future either IMO.

[Pattersonca65]

Right now I don't want to see him anywhere on the offensive side as a run first option. I might be the biggest skeptic that I have so far been able to find when it comes to him as a runner at the running back spot.

His running style, though slightly improved from a technical aspect from last week, still drives me crazy. I might be tougher on running backs and what I specifically want from them than any other position that I judge or hope to see in my team's stable.

I'm more intrigued than what I thought I'd be about his special teams ability when it comes to receiving, running, and gunning. If he's going to make the roster, it would have to be because of those three things almost entirely if I was the one deciding based on what I know.

The only area on offense where I am personally not ruling out success for his short term future is as a move/gadget RECEIVING option where you let him build up some speed in the open field, away from the junk, and then let him do his work.

But as a running back first and foremost, I really don't want to see him much when the real stuff starts to happen. It's Hyde's offense if it's my decision. And quite honestly, my personal ideal realistic scenario would be to see Hunter get back as the number 2 option behind him if he's healthy to go.

Barring injury issues at RB, I don't see him in the backfield as a runner. Too many quality RBs ahead of him on the roster. I could see him possibly catching passes out of the backfield, but we already have Bush on the roster for that and Miller also

[CrimsonCrew]

I don't know that Hayne will ever have the technique and vision to make plays running inside. But man, has he shown instincts for running in the open field. Like Chris, I don't want to cut Hunter, but he's definitely on the bubble unless we keep five.

[Bald Bull]

I'd risk Hunters questionable durability over Bush.

[DoobieKeebler]

I'd risk Hunters questionable durability over Bush.

Pfft. Bush changes direction in mid air! The only thing Hunter can do in mid air is tear his ACL.

[Ray_Dogg]

Surely Hayne is our punt returner until he is no longer under contract. The guy is a returning Adonis. I feel 100% confident he is gonna catch the ball and make positive yardage. Huge improvement.

[Jikkle]

Hunter would be a tough cut but if Hayne continues to be strong in the return department you have to go with Hayne over Hunter because he would just bring more than the table than what Hunter.

Team's have a couple of ST specialists so it's possible Hayne gets one of those positions and you just go thinner in another area that you would normally had an ST guy so it doesn't necessarily have to be a Hunter vs Hayne thing (though it likely is).

[DoobieKeebler]

The only negative thing about keeping Hayne IMO is that he may take the spot of a special team ace like L.J. McCray, and that would sting. I've been a HUGE McCray fan ever since he was a rook, but the team most likely can't keep 5-6 safeties AND 6 RB/FBs.

The logical thing would be to cut Dahl, but Craig Dahl must **** lucky rabbits feet to have lasted this long as a Niner, so I don't hold much hope he'll be cut over McCray part Tres.

[ChrisPozz]

Surely Hayne is our punt returner until he is no longer under contract. The guy is a returning Adonis. I feel 100% confident he is gonna catch the ball and make positive yardage. Huge improvement.

I'll give him that, or this much. It feels like he's going to be sure-handed and more often than not at least be able to gain SOMETHING.

I still want to see more moves where he has to make somebody miss from an almost stand still position but it appears he has enough power mixed in there that he can at least gain SOMETHING (2,3,4 yards) when he's boxed in a bit more than he's been.

[ChrisPozz]

The only negative thing about keeping Hayne IMO is that he may take the spot of a special team ace like L.J. McCray, and that would sting. I've been a HUGE McCray fan ever since he was a rook, but the team most likely can't keep 5-6 safeties AND 6 RB/FBs.

The logical thing would be to cut Dahl, but Craig Dahl must **** lucky rabbits feet to have lasted this long as a Niner, so I don't hold much hope he'll be cut over McCray part Tres.

If McCray is exposed to other teams the screams Niner fans will hear from their couches will be coming from over here (me). I'm working on an early cut list/53 man projection.

[DoobieKeebler]

The only negative thing about keeping Hayne IMO is that he may take the spot of a special team ace like L.J. McCray, and that would sting. I've been a HUGE McCray fan ever since he was a rook, but the team most likely can't keep 5-6 safeties AND 6 RB/FBs.

The logical thing would be to cut Dahl, but Craig Dahl must **** lucky rabbits feet to have lasted this long as a Niner, so I don't hold much hope he'll be cut over McCray part Tres.

If McCray is exposed to other teams the screams Niner fans will hear from their couches will be coming from over here (me). I'm working on an early cut list/53 man projection.

You handle the screams, I'll handle the girly, emasculating sobbing.

But I can see it now - Niners cut McCray, only for him to be picked up by the safety needy Browns. Not only would he join fellow should-still-be-a-Niner Glenn Winston, but it would complete the trifecta of the Niners getting rid of probably my favorite 3 young Niner prospects/projects - Winston, McCray, and Carrier - within a 12 month span. Where I've grown to like other newcomers a whole lot, those 3 guys are players I am/was near giddy about from the second they put on the red & gold. Carrier is gone; Winston has a chance of not making the Browns 53, but little to no chance of then coming back to SF with the current RB logjam; McCray has a shot to make the team, and should make the team, but as I alluded to in my previous post, I have a sinking feeling Dahl isn't going anywhere, meaning 5 safeties ahead of McCray.

[RedneckNiner]

The only negative thing about keeping Hayne IMO is that he may take the spot of a special team ace like L.J. McCray, and that would sting. I've been a HUGE McCray fan ever since he was a rook, but the team most likely can't keep 5-6 safeties AND 6 RB/FBs.

The logical thing would be to cut Dahl, but Craig Dahl must **** lucky rabbits feet to have lasted this long as a Niner, so I don't hold much hope he'll be cut over McCray part Tres.

I'm pretty sure Dahl has sex tapes on Baalke or York to keep hanging around...

[michaelm]

Right now I don't want to see him anywhere on the offensive side as a run first option. I might be the biggest skeptic that I have so far been able to find when it comes to him as a runner at the running back spot.

His running style, though slightly improved from a technical aspect from last week, still drives me crazy. I might be tougher on running backs and what I specifically want from them than any other position that I judge or hope to see in my team's stable.

I'm more intrigued than what I thought I'd be about his special teams ability when it comes to receiving, running, and gunning. If he's going to make the roster, it would have to be because of those three things almost entirely if I was the one deciding based on what I know.

The only area on offense where I am personally not ruling out success for his short term future is as a move/gadget RECEIVING option where you let him build up some speed in the open field, away from the junk, and then let him do his work.

But as a running back first and foremost, I really don't want to see him much when the real stuff starts to happen. It's Hyde's offense if it's my decision. And quite honestly, my personal ideal realistic scenario would be to see Hunter get back as the number 2 option behind him if he's healthy to go.

-----------------

As far as most exciting prospect, younger guys I'm more excited about than Hayne are easily Ian Williams, Purcell, McCray, Reaser, Acker, D. Johnson, Lynch, Harold, and Trent Brown. I'm leaving out a few that aren't as exciting as these but more exciting than Hayne, too, in my opinion.

Quite honestly, I'm at the point where I'd like to see more of Gaskins as an overall running back than Hayne, too.

'll throw another name out for people. I'm still hoping the Browns get rid of Glenn Winston and the 49ers bring him back because they should've never given up on his future either IMO.

I am on real gm because I post on the warriors forum, but have been a 49ers fan for 30 years, initially mainly because of Montana and Rice, and perhaps may have some perspective on all this.

I don't, and never did, see Hayne making it as a running back starting at age 27 against guys who have been playing the game all their lives, too much to learn, too many habits to change. In rugby running out of bounds means your team loses possession apart from anything else, so what he did at the end of the long run at running back yesterday would be what he would always have done in rugby. I wonder about the ball security aspect in a real game as well. As you say and others have said, and which I had already thought myself, he might have value as an occasional receiving option though. Overall I would agree he almost certainly shouldn't keep a serious running back prospect off the roster as you say.

I did think his skills and athleticism might translate to returning, and might even do so against more elite opposition, and his different approach/instincts may even be a help in this regard. In answer to your earlier post, he is particularly good from a standstill, another thing he had to often do in his rugby career during which the first defender could almost never get him, and he will catch virtually anything; I think rugby balls are actually harder to catch.

[Bald Bull]

I don't, and never did, see Hayne making it as a running back starting at age 27 against guys who have been playing the game all their lives, too much to learn, too many habits to change. In rugby running out of bounds means your team loses possession apart from anything else, so what he did at the end of the long run at running back yesterday would be what he would always have done in rugby. I wonder about the ball security aspect in a real game as well. As you say and others have said, and which I had already thought myself, he might have value as an occasional receiving option though. Overall I would agree he almost certainly shouldn't keep a serious running back prospect off the roster as you say.

I did think his skills and athleticism might translate to returning, and might even do so against more elite opposition, and his different approach/instincts may even be a help in this regard. In answer to your earlier post, he is particularly good from a standstill, another thing he had to often do in his rugby career during which the first defender could almost never get him, and he will catch virtually anything; I think rugby balls are actually harder to catch.

You make it sound as if out of bounds rules are rocket science. He claims he dreamed of playing in the NFL, so I'm sure he has some familiarity of the rules just from being a fan.

Some of the rugby skills defiantly translate. You can tell it's not the first time he has maneuvered through defenders. He has good anticipation. It doesn't feel like he is rushing through holes too quickly, he lets the play develop at the right pace. Pass protection and running high are my biggest concerns with him. I haven't seen enough of him running inside to have a strong opinion on it but I actually like what I'm seeing. He looks like he has experience shaking tackles. I've seen plenty of pre-season running backs with their life time of experience look less effective.