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Jarryd Hayne's NFL dream may be over at the San Francisco 49ers

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Jarryd Hayne's NFL dream appears to be over - for this season at least.

In a harsh judgement of the former Parramatta Eel, San Francisco 49ers special teams co-ordinator Thomas McGaughey said the Hayne experiment "didn't work out".

Battling for a start: Jarryd Hayne is on the outer at he San Francisco 49ers.

Battling for a start: Jarryd Hayne is on the outer at he San Francisco 49ers. Photo: Getty Images

With just three regular season games left for the 49ers it would take a rush of injuries for Hayne to find his way back into the top squad. Instead he will finish the season with a whimper in the practice squad.

At worst, Hayne will finish his debut NFL season with six regular season games.  But there is a sense that the 49ers muddled the development of the former NRL star.

His pre-season form proved too irresistible not to include Hayne to start the season. However, a spate of errors and Hayne was quickly discarded, told he had plenty to work on.

While Hayne remains ever committed to fulfilling his American dream, there would be a sense of frustration for the 27-year-old.

The 49ers have certainly not set the competition alight, sitting at the bottom of their division with just four wins.

Sacramento Bee reporter Matt Barrows, who covers the San Francisco 49ers, questioned why Hayne had not received more game time. 

"The 49ers may have gotten him out of there too soon," Barrows told Fairfax Media.

"He may have been in the spotlight too soon. The sentiment here [in San Francisco] among the fans and media is that this is a guy who can make plays on a team that is missing playmakers. It's not like anyone else has done a lot better than Jarryd.

"You may have to accept some of the mistakes that come along with it if it means he will make a few big plays to help his team. There is a lack of excitement on offence. The 49ers are the last ranked team offence in the NFL. 

"Jarryd had a pop every time he had the ball. The 49ers have been too conservative by not giving him more of a chance." 

Wide receiver Bruce Ellington has had an up and down year, but has continued in his role as punt returner. 

Hayne's demotion to the practice squad has given him much more exposure to the sport. He is not restricted to running back or just receiving punts, he has been working as a safety at times and playing defence during training.

Hayne may have also played his final game for the 49ers. Despite doubt surrounding Reggie Bush's future at the franchise, Hayne could again test himself on the open market, where he will become a free agent again at the end of the season.

Mid-season recruit; running back Shaun Draughn; is expected to be given a contract extension.

The 49ers may offer Hayne a futures contract, but another NFL side may offer him spot on their full-time roster.

If not, there would be a host of NRL clubs lining up to pounce should he opt to return to Australia, although he has expressed his desire to continue his dream of become a starter in the NFL. 

 

23 comments so far

  • That he's made it this far is a testament to his athletic talents and drive. But what Hayne doesn't know about the game can't be taught it has to be learned through experience. If a struggling 49ers wont play him at 28 next year it seems unlikely any other sides will.

    If Hayne had gone across to play College Football I have no doubt he would have made it in the NFL. And with a College game in Sydney next year I would not be surprised if we have college scouts looking over our Youth Cup teams.

    Meanwhile Jarryd come home you've done well but we would love to see you back in the NRL.

    PS. One of the few teams in the NRL teams with salary cap money left to spend are the Mighty Knights, I'm sure you'll love Newcastle.
    PPS. I'm equally sure you'll end up in Bondi. Sigh.

    Commenter
    Seano
    Date and time
    December 17, 2015, 3:09PM
    • I agree with the journo from San Francisco, even if he uses the word gotten. Hayne has what it takes.

      As for being 28 next year, it's irrelevant insofar as he isn't anywhere near as banged-up as most NFL players of his age. Good running backs, wide receivers and kick-return specialists often play into their early 30's anyway.

      He should have been given game time despite the errors but the extra time on the practice squad and with not being physically battered this year in a woeful team I see no reason why he can't head into 2016 with the dream still alive.

      Commenter
      Peter Cain
      Location
      Sydney
      Date and time
      December 17, 2015, 8:48PM
  • Yet another completely false head line and misleading (non) story.

    Commenter
    That'll do me
    Location
    Sydney
    Date and time
    December 17, 2015, 3:26PM
    • I'd Say the eels have it in their contract to have him back should return to the nrl. Which I doubt, I'd say he'd give in another 2 years then come back..

      Commenter
      Bobby
      Location
      Syd
      Date and time
      December 17, 2015, 3:31PM
      • Bad luck. He had a go. It didn't work. Big deal. Move on. Next

        Commenter
        Troggy
        Date and time
        December 17, 2015, 3:34PM
        • Well thank goodness for that. Too much news time over a nothing story.

          Commenter
          cocksure
          Location
          manhattan beach
          Date and time
          December 17, 2015, 4:26PM
          • Cocksure and Troggy - I completely agree - time to get over it.
            The whole story has been 'so what' from beginning to end.
            It was the same with Bindi Irwin dancing - people go to America to try something and it's reported here like the return of the Archangel Gabriel.
            It isn't - it's people going somewhere else to try something.

            Commenter
            Florence
            Location
            Firenze
            Date and time
            December 17, 2015, 8:31PM
        • The average retirement age for a NFL player is 30. Jarryd is almost 28, and this is his first year in the NFL.

          How much time, money and effort will any NFL side really give to nurturing his career? Remember, this is a country that churns out thousands of young college players every year.

          Commenter
          Jace
          Date and time
          December 17, 2015, 4:49PM
          • yeah blame the 49ers, its their fault........omg what a laugh......

            Commenter
            binyapaul
            Location
            canberra
            Date and time
            December 17, 2015, 5:20PM
            • Yes the 49's are real losers and who to blame.

              Youch, it's really embarrassing to watch

              It's hard to imagine that everybody is being paid as there is so much loser disunity

              Commenter
              Bob
              Date and time
              December 17, 2015, 8:41PM

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