Is Hayne quickly establishing himself as our most exciting prospect?

[Bald Bull]

One thing I'll be watching on Hayne is how he carries the ball in his hands. That could be a major difference.

[michaelm]

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.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see him succeed as a running back, but found it hard to disagree with the poster to whom I replied that it is difficult to see him getting much run in a first season or even being chosen ahead of other prospects who are lifelong players purely as a running back after 2 or 3 practise games.

Sure, obviously he can learn to run out of bounds on a standard play. In a situation like yesterday's in contact it will be almost reflexive for him to try to stay in bounds though.

If he is on the team as a returner though he could be tried on screen passing plays etc as has been said. I have also previously thought a rugby running play with a lateral pass would work at least once in gridiron as well.

[Tomikcon1971]

My only excitement around him is as a returner/gunner.

If we get rid of him and then our returns flounder, that will be annoying. However, barring injuries and/or stuffing folks on IR it will be interesting to see how we try to keep him.

In reality our depth is still at a point where some of our cast offs will get gobbled up by weaker teams.

One wild theory I have......Okoye gets cut and claimed by Jacksonville since they want to play more and more London games. Imagine the buzz.

[Tomikcon1971]

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...

Dahl has to go.....has to.

[CrimsonCrew]

I can't see Dahl sticking this year. He had the INT, but with Ward, Tartt, and McCray all on the bench at the position, there just isn't room for a guy like Dahl, who really only contributes on STs at this point. From top to bottom, safety has got to be the strongest position on the team, and I don't think it's particularly close.

[CrimsonCrew]

In terms of Hayne, as a RB, he's only got value right now as a third-down back, IMO. He has broken a few runs, but he doesn't have the footwork or instincts for inside work. Not to mention he's like 6'2". He needs to get out in space to be effective. And I'm not sure his blocking is where it needs to be for third-down work, though that's an area where I would expect him to make quick strides with his size and athleticism. He could possibly carve out a role as a movement back/h-back type. His ability in space looks pretty special to date, though.

[Pattersonca65]

I don't really care that much whether Hayne plays with the regular offense. If he can continue doing well on punt returns and kick returns, that would be a plus. This team hasn't had a dynamic punt returner since Ginn and this team has missed that

[49rangER]

Hunter really needs to get on the field here soon to show he still has it. I'm a huge fan of his and hope we can somehow keep him and hayne.

Anyone see us really keeping 5 RB's?

Also on Mcray i agree we can not let him go. He and Tartt can bring the boom!

[Pattersonca65]

Hunter really needs to get on the field here soon to show he still has it. I'm a huge fan of his and hope we can somehow keep him and hayne.

Anyone see us really keeping 5 RB's?
Also on Mcray i agree we can not let him go. He and Tartt can bring the boom!

Matt Miocco does

[michaelm]

In terms of Hayne, as a RB, he's only got value right now as a third-down back, IMO. He has broken a few runs, but he doesn't have the footwork or instincts for inside work. Not to mention he's like 6'2". He needs to get out in space to be effective. And I'm not sure his blocking is where it needs to be for third-down work, though that's an area where I would expect him to make quick strides with his size and athleticism. He could possibly carve out a role as a movement back/h-back type. His ability in space looks pretty special to date, though.

Not of any relevance to Hayne or I guess the modern game, but my favourite player when I first followed the NFL and before Joe Montana converted me permanently to the 49ers cause, John Riggins, did OK as a 6'2" running back. Even as a sporting nut who follows many sports, the long touchdown run at age 35 and probably 240 lbs when he got loose in that Superbowl is still one of my most indelible sporting memories.

[Jikkle]

Hunter really needs to get on the field here soon to show he still has it. I'm a huge fan of his and hope we can somehow keep him and hayne.

Anyone see us really keeping 5 RB's?

Also on Mcray i agree we can not let him go. He and Tartt can bring the boom!

I can see 5 RBs as you could consider Hayne a special team specialists whose position is RB.

He can take the Bubba Ventrone or Blake Costanzo role where they have a position but are only on the roster for special teams.

[Jikkle]

Hayne survived the 1st round of cuts and really the fact they didn't play him much Saturday especially in returns suggests to me that he's made the roster as I would think if he was still on the bubble they would've gave him more action to further evaluate him.

[Wolfay]

Jarryd Hayne Offensive Hit vs. San Diego Chargers

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

Got rekt. I don't know about most exciting, but I'm definitely excited. I hope we see that against Seattle or something.

[Numone9er]

Jarryd Hayne Offensive Hit vs. San Diego Chargers

Gfycat Video - Click to Play

Got rekt. I don't know about most exciting, but I'm definitely excited. I hope we see that against Seattle or something.

I'm not sure he can do that against Seattle. He definitely has a nice physicality to his running style, though. I would love to see him lay some Seahawks out. Lynch has been killing us the past few years.

[TNBT]

Well Dahl is gone...

I'm really excited to see what Hayne becomes with experience. Most of us Aussies were pretty confident that his game would translate as far as the return game, but it will really depend on how quickly he develops as a RB as to how big a role he has. Right now I see him mainly as a ST specialist who can probably be used at RB in gimmick plays. I'd love to see him develop into a more consistent back who can play in more regular lineups, but we'll have to see what happens.


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[Jikkle]

The other element that will give Hayne a likely roster spot is money.

The team isn't ignorant to all the hype and attention Hayne is getting and they know having him on the roster opens up the Australia market and gives the 9ers and the NFL a foothold there.

That alone wouldn't be enough for a roster spot as his skills alone made a strong case for him to have a spot but when you're deciding on which guys that are on the bubble to keep the business element gives him a push.

I think he'll definitely wind up with the returners job because not only does he run it back well he also fields the ball sure handily which coaches value immensely.

I don't see him getting much RB action unless Bush goes down. With his ability in the open field I think he would be a good replacement for Bush in the screen game and in the other ways Bush is likely to get used.

[michaelm]

The other element that will give Hayne a likely roster spot is money.

The team isn't ignorant to all the hype and attention Hayne is getting and they know having him on the roster opens up the Australia market and gives the 9ers and the NFL a foothold there.

That alone wouldn't be enough for a roster spot as his skills alone made a strong case for him to have a spot but when you're deciding on which guys that are on the bubble to keep the business element gives him a push.

I think he'll definitely wind up with the returners job because not only does he run it back well he also fields the ball sure handily which coaches value immensely.

I don't see him getting much RB action unless Bush goes down. With his ability in the open field I think he would be a good replacement for Bush in the screen game and in the other ways Bush is likely to get used.

The notoriety in Australia cuts both ways, and the hype and amount of coverage is surely now far beyond saturation point.

As a 49ers fan of several decades, and also an Australian who while not particularly a fan of Hayne's previously would like to see him do well, I express the I am sure vain hope that the now embarassing Australian press coverage will quieten down and allow the 49ers, and Hayne for that matter, to get on with things. I don't think he has been trying to encourage the media himself, btw.