American football: Hayne's efforts need perspective

Jarryd Hayne of the San Francisco 49ers works out during a joint training session with the San...
Jarryd Hayne of the San Francisco 49ers works out during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility in Englewood, Colorado.Photo by Getty

Former Australian league player Jarryd Hayne is creating quite a buzz with his attempt to crack the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. Sports reporter Robert van Royen, an avid NFL follower for 17 years, believes the hype needs to be put on ice.

There is no denying Jarryd Hayne has made an eye-opening start in his attempt to crack the NFL. The 27-year-old is trying to make the San Francisco 49ers 53-man squad as a running back and a return man.

In pre-season games against the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys, he was good. Really, really good, there is no denying it. Despite looking a tad sluggish with pads on, he ripped off a 33-yard kick return against the Texans, had a couple of decent punt returns and rushed for 63 yards on five carries.

Against Dallas, he averaged 28 yards on three punt returns, including a 34-yarder, where everyone seemed really surprised that he actually caught the ball over his shoulder.

He even gashed the Cowboys for 54 yards on eight carries, including a 34-yard rush. This is where some context is needed. Pre-season games mean nothing, particularly the first, second and fourth pre-season games.

Starters play next to no time in the first match, maybe a quarter in the second and often none in the final match.

Hayne has been entering the game when the starters - and even second and third stringers - are sitting on the bench sipping on Gatorade.

He simply has not been up against quality opposition, just other wannabe players fighting for a roster spot.

As good as he is in open space, the Cowboys' second string punter gave him acres of space to return by out-kicking his coverage team by at least 20 metres. That rarely happens against quality special teams units, where he will more often than not be forced to take a fair catch.

His 53-yard run against the Texans was created by a gaping hole created by his line, he made a guy miss but lacked the speed to burn off the secondary and take it to the house.

The 49ers have made it no secret Hayne's best chances to make the final roster, which will be culled from 90 to 53 in the next couple of weeks, is as a returner.

The question is, can the 49ers justify a roster spot solely for a returner?

Generally players need to bring more than just being a returner to justify it. And as Hayne is behind Reggie Bush, Chris Hyde, Alfonso Smith and Kendall Hunter in the running back pecking order, it could be a stretch.

However, Hayne did rip off a 60 yard touchdown run at training the other day and is certainly surprising even his own team mates.

He will face his biggest test in his team's third preseason game against the Denver Broncos tomorrow, when starters often play into the third quarter.

I admit I never expected him to make the NFL when he first declared his intentions to do so, but it appears Hayne has done enough to at least make San Francisco's practice squad, and is a real chance to make the final 53.

If the feel good news story has a happy ending and he does make it, just don't expect him to be a star.

After all, he will only have limited opportunities against quality opposition.

 

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