After coach Jim Tomsula and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaugheydropped hintsin media sessions that Hayne might not be ready to debut, Hayne took the practice field wearing No. 44 instead of No. 38, signifying his roleon the scout team to impersonate Minnesota Vikings backup running back Matt Asiata.
Advertisement
Fellow rookie and highly-rated running back Mike Davis is Hayne’s biggest threat ahead of the Vikings clash.
“I guess that s why I temper all this speculation, because I don t want to take anything away from what the man has achieve”, Tomsula said.
“Several signs surfaced Thursday to indicate that Jarryd Hayne might not play in Monday night’s season opener, so many that only one conclusion can be drawn: he actually plays”, Inman speculated.
Only Hayne and 49ers veteran Reggie Bush are named in more than two spots in the 49ers depth chart and that versatility will make Hayne a strong chance to play.
Simply put, Tomsula wants Hayne tocontinue his development but also prove if he’s versatile enough forthis week’s game plan against the Vikings.
The Seven Network recently struck a deal with the National Football League to televise all but a few of the 49ers matches this year in the hopes that Australians will be able to watch Hayne from home. “You ve got that aspect”, Tomsula said.
Perhaps you’ve heard just a little concerning the San Francisco 49ers’ dazzling pickup this low season, a fascinating star who can run, catch and return kicks. Tomsula asked at his weekly press conference.
If he does get his chance, it’s will nearly certainly be as a returner – where he spent many of his pre-season games – rather than as a running back. So we’ve got to kind of keep everything in perspective and understand the preseason is the preseason and right now is right now. This is real bullets flying.
“In Jarryd s situation, just like everybody that is a first-year player here, you re into the game preparation now”.
Everybody is flying the Hayne Plane right now, but if you look at who led our team in punt returns in the preseason, it wasn t Jarryd Hayne.
Advertisement
“Obviously Jarryd has got the body position, the balance, the leverage points, it’s proven he has those”, Tomsula said. That’s the thing. And with the schematic that we’re going through, what we’re talking about here, you know, how are you practicing within that scheme. “When to use them”. They delayed his entry into group drills, the place he ultimately confirmed his prowess as a receiving menace on swing routes and display passes.
